Yes, but you'll need a parent or guardian to co-own it
A 13-year-old cannot open a checking account alone. Banks require the account holder to be at least 18 years old to sign a contract. What a 13-year-old can do is open a joint checking account with a parent or guardian, where both names appear on the account and both can deposit and withdraw money.
Some banks also offer teen checking accounts designed specifically for minors aged 13 to 17. These work the same way — a parent or guardian must co-own the account — but they often come with features built for teens, like spending limits, transaction alerts sent to the parent, and no monthly fees.
The parent or guardian does not have to be the one making deposits. Once the account is open, the 13-year-old gets a debit card and can use it to spend money that has been deposited into the account, just like an adult would.
Key Takeaways
- A parent or guardian must co-own the account with the 13-year-old; the minor cannot open one alone.
- Most major banks offer teen checking accounts with parental controls, spending limits, and no monthly fees.
- The 13-year-old will receive a debit card and can make purchases and ATM withdrawals once the account is funded.
- You will need to bring the teen's Social Security number, proof of identity, and proof of address to open the account in person.
- Some banks allow online account opening for teens, but most require at least one parent to visit a branch or complete verification by video call.
What documents you need to bring
To open a joint checking account for a 13-year-old, bring the minor's Social Security number and a form of ID — usually a school ID, passport, or state ID card. The parent or guardian will also need to bring their own ID and proof of address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Some banks ask for both pieces of ID to be government-issued (passport, driver's license, or state ID). Others accept school IDs or student IDs for minors. Call the bank ahead of time to confirm what they accept, since requirements vary by institution.
If you are opening the account online or by video call, the bank will ask you to upload photos of these documents or verify them through the video call. Have them ready before you start the process.
How banks handle parental controls and spending limits
Teen checking accounts typically come with tools that let the parent monitor and restrict what the 13-year-old can do. The parent can usually set a daily spending limit on the debit card — for example, $50 per day — and the card will be declined if the teen tries to spend more than that amount.
Most banks send the parent a text or email alert every time the teen makes a purchase or withdrawal. Some also let the parent turn the debit card on or off from a mobile app, which is useful if the card is lost or if the teen needs a break from spending.
As the teen gets older and shows responsible money habits, the parent can increase the spending limit or remove restrictions. The account can usually stay open after the teen turns 18, at which point the parent's name can be removed if both parties agree.
Which banks offer teen checking accounts
Most major national banks offer teen checking accounts. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have versions designed for minors. Credit unions often offer them too, sometimes with lower fees or higher interest rates on savings.
Online banks like Ally, Chime, and LendingClub also have teen accounts, though the process for opening one may be different — some require video verification instead of a branch visit. Check the bank's website or call their customer service line to confirm they offer accounts for 13-year-olds and what the minimum age is.
Fees vary. Many teen checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no overdraft fees. Some charge a small monthly fee ($5 to $10) if the account is not linked to a parent's account at the same bank. Read the fee schedule before you open the account.
The difference between a teen checking account and a regular joint account
A teen checking account is a joint account with parental controls built in. A regular joint account is simply two names on one account with no special restrictions — both the parent and the teen can spend and withdraw money freely, and neither can set limits on the other.
Teen accounts are designed to teach money management. The parent can see every transaction, set spending caps, and gradually give the teen more independence. Regular joint accounts work better if the parent and teen already have a clear agreement about how the money will be used and trust each other to follow it.
If the 13-year-old is saving money from a job or allowance and needs a safe place to keep it, a teen checking account with parental oversight is usually the better choice. If the parent simply wants to add the teen to an existing account for convenience — so the teen can deposit paychecks or withdraw cash — a regular joint account may be simpler.
How to open the account in person or online
To open an account in person, visit a branch of the bank with the parent or guardian and the teen. Bring all required documents. A banker will verify the information, explain the account features and fees, and have both the parent and teen sign the account agreement. The debit card is usually issued on the spot or mailed within 5 to 10 business days.
To open an account online, go to the bank's website and look for the teen or youth account option. You will be asked to enter personal information for both the parent and the teen, upload photos of ID and proof of address, and verify your identity — usually by answering security questions or confirming recent transactions on an existing account at that bank. Some banks require a video call with a representative to complete the process.
Online opening is faster — you can finish in 15 to 30 minutes — but not all banks offer it for minors. If the bank's website does not show an online option for teen accounts, call their customer service line or visit a branch.
What happens if the teen turns 18
When the 13-year-old turns 18, the account automatically becomes a regular adult account. The parent's name stays on the account unless both the teen and parent agree to remove it. If the teen wants the parent's name removed, they can go to the bank and request it — the parent does not have to be present, though some banks may ask for written consent from the parent.
The teen can also open a separate account in their own name at age 18 and transfer the money over, leaving the joint account closed. This is useful if the teen wants full control and privacy over their finances.
Spending limits and parental alerts stop working once the account converts to an adult account, even if the parent's name is still on it. The parent will no longer receive transaction alerts unless they set up their own monitoring through the bank's app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 13-year-old use the checking account without the parent present?
Yes. Once the account is open and the debit card is issued, the 13-year-old can use it to make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and check the balance without the parent being there. The parent can monitor activity through the bank's app or website and set spending limits, but the teen does not need permission for each transaction.
What if the 13-year-old loses the debit card?
Call the bank immediately to report the card lost or stolen. The bank will freeze the card so no one else can use it, and a replacement card will be mailed within 5 to 10 business days. Most banks do not charge a fee for a replacement card. In the meantime, the teen can withdraw cash at an ATM using a PIN or visit a branch to withdraw cash in person.
Can the teen overdraft the account?
Most teen checking accounts do not allow overdrafts — if the teen tries to spend more than what is in the account, the transaction is declined. Some banks charge a small fee if an overdraft does occur, but many waive overdraft fees for teen accounts. Check the account terms to confirm the bank's overdraft policy.
Do I need to have an account at the same bank to open a teen account for my child?
No. You can open a teen checking account at any bank, even if you do not have an account there yourself. However, some banks offer lower fees or higher interest rates if the parent also has an account at that bank, so it is worth asking about.
Can a 13-year-old have a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Most banks offer joint savings accounts for minors with no age minimum. A savings account works the same way — the parent and teen both own it — but it is designed for saving rather than frequent spending. Some savings accounts earn interest on the balance, which can be a good way to teach the teen about money growing over time.