How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Debit Card? Age Requirements by Account Type

The requirement to be 18 to open a bank account independently is rooted in contract law, not banking regulation. In all U.S. states, individuals under 18 are considered minors and generally cannot enter into legally binding contracts on their own. A bank account agreement is a contract, so banks typically require account holders to be at least 18 years old to open one without an adult co-owner. This protects the bank from minors disaffirming (canceling) contracts — a right minors have under most state laws.

There is no federal law specifying a minimum age to have a bank account or debit card. The FDIC and other banking regulators do not impose a minimum age requirement — it is a matter of each bank's policy in the context of state contract law. As a result, age requirements can vary across financial institutions and account types. Once you understand how debit cards work technically, the contract law framework becomes clearer: the bank is extending you a financial product backed by a real account agreement.

Many banks and credit unions offer teen checking accounts or custodial accounts that allow minors between 13 and 17 to hold a debit card with a parent or legal guardian as a joint owner or custodian. The adult co-owner's presence on the account satisfies the contract law requirement, and both the teen and the adult can typically access the account. These accounts often include spending controls, real-time transaction alerts, and educational features designed to help young people build financial habits.

Examples of bank-offered teen accounts include Chase First Banking (for ages 6+, linked to a Chase checking account), Bank of America's Advantage SafeBalance Banking account for minors, and various credit union youth accounts. The specific minimum age, features, and parental control options vary by institution. The FDIC insures eligible deposits in these accounts up to $250,000 per depositor per institution, so teen custodial accounts at FDIC-member banks carry the same deposit insurance as any other insured checking account. You can also consider investment accounts for kids alongside a custodial checking account to give young people exposure to both spending and investing.

For children younger than 13, or for families who want more control over spending without a joint bank account, prepaid debit cards offer an alternative. Products such as Greenlight, GoHenry, and FamZoo are marketed specifically to families and offer features like allowance automation, spending category restrictions, and parent-controlled funding. These are prepaid cards rather than traditional bank debit cards, so they function differently.

The CFPB notes that prepaid cards have different protections than traditional debit cards linked to a bank account. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act's Regulation E protections do apply to most prepaid accounts, but you should review the specific terms of any prepaid card product before enrolling. Monthly fees, transaction fees, and ATM fees vary widely among prepaid card providers — read the fee schedule carefully before choosing one for a child. If cost control is a concern, look for a kids debit card with low or no monthly fees and strong parental controls.

When the minor account holder turns 18, most banks will require the account to be converted to a standard adult checking account or a new account to be opened in the young adult's name alone. Some institutions convert teen accounts automatically; others require you to visit a branch or contact customer service to complete the transition. The parent or guardian may be removed as a joint owner at that point, depending on the bank's process and both parties' preferences.

Turning 18 is also a good time for young adults to begin building their credit history, if they have not already started through a secured credit card or by becoming an authorized user on a parent's card. Understanding what age you can get a credit card is a natural next step once a young adult opens their first independent checking account. The CFPB offers free financial literacy resources for young adults at consumerfinance.gov to help navigate these transitions, including guidance on how many bank accounts to have as you build your financial foundation. Many 18-year-olds also start exploring digital payments — adding money to Cash App or similar digital wallets is often among their first financial steps alongside their new debit card.

Once you turn 18, you can open a checking account independently and receive a debit card in your name. Many banks offer student checking accounts with reduced or waived monthly fees for account holders who are enrolled in college or university — these accounts typically have lower minimum balance requirements and waived overdraft fees.

When comparing student checking accounts, look for accounts with no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, a large ATM network, and digital banking tools. The FDIC's Money Smart financial education program offers free resources for young adults learning to manage their first bank account. Comparing accounts at credit unions, which are often community-focused and may offer more favorable terms to young members, is also worthwhile. As you grow your financial knowledge, you will also want to learn how a traditional savings account works so you can begin building an emergency fund alongside your checking account. For those wondering if an app like Cash App counts as a bank, the answer is no — it works with banking partners but is not a deposit institution itself.