You generally need to be 18 years old to open a bank account on your own. However, minors can open bank accounts with the help of a parent or guardian, who may need to be a co-owner or authorized representative on the account
. For children and teenagers, many banks offer special accounts:
- For very young children (0 to 12 years), banks offer child savings accounts that parents can open and manage
- For youths aged 12 to 18, youth or teen accounts are available, often requiring identity verification from age 14 and sometimes allowing the minor more control
- Some banks allow minors under 16 to open accounts with limited legal capacity and parental involvement
In the U.S., minors typically need a parent or guardian present to open an account, and both may need to provide identification such as a birth certificate, Social Security card, or passport
. In summary:
- Age 18+ : Can open a bank account independently.
- Under 18 : Can open a joint or custodial account with an adult co-owner or guardian.
- Younger children : Parents can open savings accounts on their behalf.
Requirements and age limits can vary by bank and country, so it’s best to check specific bank policies
