Chase requires you to be at least 18 years old to open a checking account in your own name
If you are 18 or older, you can walk into a Chase branch or apply online and open a personal checking account by yourself. You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit (the amount varies by account type, but many Chase checking accounts have no minimum). The account opens the same day or within one business day if you apply online.
If you are under 18, Chase offers a Chase First Banking account designed for minors. A parent or legal guardian must open it with you in person at a branch. The adult becomes the account owner, and you are added as an authorized user. Once you turn 18, you can convert it to a standard checking account under your own name, or your parent can remove themselves and make you the sole owner.
Chase also allows a parent to add a child under 18 as an authorized user on an existing adult checking account. This does not create a separate account for the child — it gives them a debit card and access to the parent's account. The parent retains full control and can set spending limits through the Chase mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 or older to open a Chase checking account in your own name with your own Social Security number.
- Chase First Banking is available for minors under 18 and requires a parent or legal guardian to open it in person at a branch.
- A parent can add a child under 18 as an authorized user on their own checking account without creating a separate account.
- When you turn 18, a Chase First Banking account can be converted to a standard personal checking account under your name alone.
What you need to open a Chase checking account at 18 or older
Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Chase accepts a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement as proof of address. If you do not have one of these documents, you can provide two forms of ID instead.
You will also need to make an initial deposit. Most Chase checking accounts have no minimum opening deposit, but some premium accounts (like Chase Sapphire) require $500 or more. Ask the banker which account type has no minimum if cost is a concern.
If you open online, you can fund the account with a transfer from another bank account or a debit card. If you open in person at a branch, you can deposit cash, a check, or transfer money from another account.
How Chase First Banking works for minors under 18
Chase First Banking is designed for children ages 6 to 17. A parent or legal guardian must open it in person at a Chase branch — you cannot open it online. The parent brings their own ID and Social Security number, and the child brings their ID (or birth certificate) and Social Security number. The parent is the account owner, and the child is an authorized user.
The child receives a debit card and can use the account to make purchases and withdraw cash. The parent can see all transactions in the Chase mobile app and set daily spending limits. The parent can also turn off the debit card remotely if needed. There is no monthly fee for Chase First Banking.
When the child turns 18, the parent can request a conversion to a standard Chase checking account. Chase will transfer the account to the child's name, and the parent is removed as the owner. The child then has full control of the account and can change the PIN, add beneficiaries, or close it without the parent's permission.
Adding a minor as an authorized user on your existing account
If you already have a Chase checking account, you can add a child under 18 as an authorized user without opening a new account. You do this through the Chase mobile app or by visiting a branch. The child receives a debit card linked to your account, and they can spend money from your balance.
As the account owner, you retain full control. You can set a daily spending limit on the child's debit card, view every transaction they make, and disable the card instantly through the app. The child cannot change the account settings, add other users, or close the account.
This option is useful if you want to give a teenager spending money or teach them how to use a debit card without creating a separate account. When the child turns 18, you can remove them as an authorized user, or they can request to become a co-owner of the account (which requires your consent).
What happens when a minor turns 18
If the minor has a Chase First Banking account, the parent should contact Chase to convert it to a standard personal checking account. Chase will transfer the account to the young adult's name, and the parent is removed as the owner. This usually takes one business day. The young adult can then manage the account independently.
If the minor is an authorized user on a parent's account, they do not automatically become a co-owner at 18. The parent can remove them, keep them as an authorized user, or request that Chase convert them to a co-owner. If the young adult wants to become a co-owner, both the parent and the young adult must agree and visit a branch or call Chase to make the change official.
Opening a Chase checking account online versus in person
If you are 18 or older, you can open most Chase checking accounts online through the Chase website or mobile app. You will need to provide your ID information, Social Security number, and proof of address. The process takes about 10 minutes, and the account usually opens within one business day. You can fund it immediately with a transfer from another bank account.
Opening in person at a branch takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You bring your documents, make an initial deposit, and receive a debit card on the spot. Some branches can issue a temporary card that works immediately, while others mail the card to you (usually within 7 to 10 business days).
Chase First Banking for minors must be opened in person at a branch. There is no online option because a parent or guardian must be present to sign the account agreement.
Documents you will need for each scenario
| Scenario | Who Opens It | Documents Needed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| You are 18 or older | You alone | Government ID, Social Security number, proof of address | Online or in person |
| You are under 18 (First Banking) | Parent/guardian + child | Parent's ID and SSN; child's ID or birth certificate and SSN | In person only |
| You are under 18 (authorized user) | Parent/guardian | Parent's ID and account information | Online or in person |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase checking account if I am 17?
No, not in your own name. You must be 18 or older to open a personal checking account. However, you can open a Chase First Banking account with a parent or legal guardian, or be added as an authorized user on a parent's account.
Do I need a Social Security number to open a Chase checking account?
Yes. Chase requires a Social Security number for all account owners. If you do not have one, you cannot open an account in your own name. If you are a minor, your parent or guardian will provide their Social Security number when opening a First Banking account.
What if I do not have a government-issued ID?
You can provide two forms of ID instead of one government-issued ID. Acceptable forms include a passport, state ID card, driver's license, military ID, or tribal ID. If you do not have any of these, contact Chase directly to ask about alternative options.
Can my parent remove me from a Chase First Banking account before I turn 18?
Yes. Your parent can close the account or remove you as an authorized user at any time. If the account is closed, any money in it will be returned to your parent. If you are removed as an authorized user, your debit card will stop working immediately.
What is the difference between Chase First Banking and being an authorized user?
Chase First Banking creates a separate account in your parent's name with you as an authorized user. An authorized user on a regular account shares access to your parent's existing checking account. First Banking is better if you want a dedicated account; authorized user status is better if your parent wants to monitor spending on a shared account.