Chime does not offer a dedicated youth checking account, but teens can use Chime's standard checking account with a parent or guardian as the account owner

Chime's checking account is available to anyone 18 and older who can verify their identity and provide a Social Security number. If your teen is under 18, they cannot hold the account in their own name. Instead, a parent or guardian opens the account, and the teen uses the debit card and mobile app as an authorized user on that account.

This setup gives your teen access to a real checking account with a debit card, direct deposit, and mobile banking—without Chime creating a separate product for minors. The parent or guardian remains the account holder and can monitor activity through the Chime app.

Key Takeaways

  • A parent or guardian must open and own the Chime checking account; the teen cannot be the primary account holder until age 18.
  • Once the account is open, the teen receives a debit card and can use the Chime mobile app to check balances, send money, and view transactions.
  • The account owner can set up SpotMe boosts and other features, and can see all account activity through their own app.
  • Chime does not charge monthly fees, overdraft fees, or require a minimum balance, which makes it a low-cost way for teens to learn banking.

What you need to open an account for your teen

To open a Chime checking account with your teen as an authorized user, you will need to provide your own identity verification and Social Security number. Chime will ask for a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your date of birth, and your address. You will also need a phone number and email address to set up the account.

Your teen does not need their own Social Security number listed on the account, since you are the account owner. However, they will need to be present or available when you set up the debit card, because Chime will mail a physical card to your address. Once the card arrives, your teen can activate it in the Chime app using their own login credentials.

How the account works when your teen uses it

After you open the account, your teen can download the Chime app on their phone and log in with their own username and password. They will see the account balance, transaction history, and the ability to send money to other Chime users through Chime's peer-to-peer transfer feature. Your teen can also receive direct deposits if they have a job, and they can use the debit card to make purchases or withdraw cash at ATMs.

The debit card is linked to the same checking account you own, so every transaction your teen makes shows up in the account. You can see all activity in your own Chime app, which means you have visibility into spending without needing a separate parental controls dashboard. Chime does not offer transaction limits or spending controls for authorized users, so the level of oversight depends on what you and your teen agree to.

Chime features available on a teen's account

Your teen can use most Chime features on the standard checking account. This includes SpotMe, which allows cardholders to overdraft up to a certain amount without a fee (the limit varies and is based on account history). Your teen can also set up direct deposit for paychecks, receive money from other Chime users, and use the card at any ATM in the Allpoint network, which includes over 60,000 ATMs nationwide.

Chime also offers early direct deposit, which means paychecks can hit the account up to two days before the official payday. This feature is available to all account holders, including teens using the account. However, features like Chime Credit Builder (a credit-building tool) require the account holder to be 18 or older, so your teen would not be able to use those until they turn 18 and can open their own account.

When your teen turns 18

Once your teen reaches 18, they have the option to take over the account or open their own separate Chime account. If they want to keep using the same account, they can contact Chime to transition it into their name as the primary account holder. You would no longer be the owner, but you could remain as an authorized user if you both agree.

Alternatively, your teen can open a brand-new Chime checking account in their own name at 18, which gives them a fresh start and full control from day one. Either way, the transition is straightforward—Chime does not charge fees to change account ownership or close accounts.

Alternatives if Chime is not the right fit

Other banks and fintech companies offer teen checking accounts or youth accounts with more built-in parental controls. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have teen checking products that allow parents to set spending limits, restrict certain types of transactions, and receive alerts. Some online banks like Greenlight and FamZoo are designed specifically for families and offer more granular control over what teens can spend.

If your teen needs features like spending caps or transaction restrictions, those products may be a better match than Chime. However, if you want a simple, fee-free account with no minimum balance and straightforward peer-to-peer money transfer, Chime's standard checking account works well for teens as long as a parent or guardian is the account owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my 16-year-old open a Chime account by themselves?

No. Chime requires the account holder to be 18 or older. Your teen can use the account as an authorized user, but you must be the account owner and provide your own identity verification when you open it.

Will my teen's transactions show up in my Chime app?

Yes. All transactions on the account appear in your app because you are the account owner. You can see every purchase, transfer, and ATM withdrawal your teen makes. Chime does not offer a way to hide specific transactions from the account owner.

Can I set spending limits on my teen's debit card?

Chime does not offer built-in spending limits or transaction controls for authorized users. You and your teen would need to agree on a budget and monitor spending through the app yourself. If you need automatic spending caps, consider a teen-focused account from another provider.

Does my teen need their own Social Security number for a Chime account?

No. Since you are the account owner, only your Social Security number is required. Your teen does not need to provide their own SSN to use the account as an authorized user.

What happens to the account when my teen turns 18?

Your teen can transition the account into their name as the primary account holder, or they can open a separate Chime account. Chime does not charge fees for either option. You can discuss with your teen which approach works best for them.