How old do you have to be to get a debit card?

In nearly every case, a kid can’t walk into a bank and get a debit card by themselves. Minors can open a bank account with an adult to get a debit card.

How old do you have to be to open a bank account?

The short answer: you need to be 18 to open a bank account in most states. So, if you want to get your kid a checking account with a debit card, you’ll probably need to open the account with them.

The long answer: Debit cards are payment cards linked to a deposit account, like a checking account. In 48 states, minors need an adult to open a bank account with them as a co-owner or custodian — a custodian is someone who holds the responsibility for something. There are two states with different rules: Nebraska allows anyone of any age to open a bank account, and Alabama requires you to be at least 19 years old. But for nearly every other state, you need to be 18 to get a traditional checking account with a debit card.

What about prepaid cards?

Prepaid cards are a viable option if you want to give your kiddo a card to spend with but don’t want them to open a checking account just yet.

However, typical prepaid cards, such as Visa or Mastercard cards you can purchase at a store, tend to have more fees than checking accounts. Prepaid cards usually charge activation, inactivity, ATM withdrawal and cash reload fees.

With a checking account, you may have to deal with the occasional out-of-network ATM fees and a monthly fee. However, most checking accounts for teens don’t charge monthly fees until the teen turns 18. For long-term use, a checking account with a debit card is probably a better option than a prepaid card.

Do banks have age requirements for bank accounts?

Most banks, such as U.S. Bank, require minors to be at least 13 to be the owner of a joint checking account. Additionally, traditional banks tend to require an in-person application for joint kids’ checking accounts.

Most savings accounts don’t have age requirements for kids, and some kids’ banking options, such as Greenlight or Step, don’t have any age requirements at all. But regardless of the account type, kids almost always need an adult parent or guardian to open the account with them.

Type of account	Child age requirement	Best for	Examples
Checking/digital account	Typically 13 to 17, but some are available to kids as young as six	Working teens who need a place to manage earnings.	Chase First Banking Step
Prepaid debit card	Typically no age requirements	Teaching kids how to manage their spending.	Greenlight BusyKid
Savings account	Typically no age requirements	Helping to teach kids how to save money and the power of compound interest.	Alliant Kids Savings Account First Internet Bank Tomorrow’s Tycoons
Investment account	No age requirement	Parents who want to save for their kids’ future, such as education expenses.	UNest Acorns Early

What’s the best age to get a debit card?

Many experts agree that age 12 is the best age to introduce a kid to a bank account with a debit card.

“Age 12 is a good benchmark to start getting them used to tracking their spending and paying by card — not to mention keeping hold of the plastic without losing it,” Nate Tsang, founder and CEO at WallStreetZen, told Finder.

But you could start younger than 12 if you feel your kid is showing signs of being ready, such as asking for money all the time or simply asking for a card. By age seven, kids can understand basic financial concepts, such as money conversions and how to save money for large purchases, according to a University of Cambridge study.

At the very least, getting your kid a bank account is a good idea when they start working. Most Americans agree that once a teen is 15, they’re ready for their first job, according to a PR Newswire Harris poll. A kids’ bank account makes it easier for a working teen to store their hard-earned money safely.

Pros of debit cards for kids

There are a lot of benefits to getting your kiddo a debit card:

• Educational. Financial literacy can be a tough topic to teach your kids without hands-on experience. A debit card can help teach kids the value and basics of spending and earning money.
• Teaching responsibility. Giving a kid a debit card means they’ll have to keep track of the card and learn to use it responsibly.
• Independence. Older kids are likely to want some independence on how and where they spend their money without having to ask their parents for cash or their card.
• No more cash allowances. If your kid has a checking account or kids’ prepaid account, you can simply transfer them funds — no more ATM or branch withdrawals for cash allowances.
• Track their spending. Most kids’ bank accounts have parental controls, such as the ability to lock or unlock the kids’ card, set custom spending limits, block certain merchants and so on. Parents can also review a kid’s bank statement to see where and how much they are spending.

Related: Chores and allowance apps for families

Cons of debit cards for kids

Watch out for these drawbacks:

• Online spending. With a debit card, kids can now shop online, which could get out of hand quickly if left unchecked. Be sure you’re keeping an eye on where your kids are spending.
• Risk of losing the card. Kids can also lose cash, but losing a debit card is a bit more inconvenient. You may have to pay for a replacement card, and you run the risk of someone else finding it and using it.
• Overdraft fees. While most kids’ debit cards don’t have overdraft fees, if your kid overestimates how much they have in their account, the transaction will either decline or overdraft. It’s a good life lesson, but if the card has overdraft fees, it can be an expensive lesson.

Bottom line

If your kid is around age 12 or 13, you can help them get a checking account at most banks. But if you want a kids’ debit card with extra perks like custom spending limits, chore and allowance features or educational games, compare the best kids’ debit cards.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a credit card?

To get a credit card on your own, federal law requires you to be 18 years old. However, as a workaround, parents can add their kids as authorized users on their existing credit cards. For the most part, banks require teens to be at least 13 or 14 to become an authorized user, but some banks such as Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo don’t have age requirements for authorized users on credit cards.

To learn more, compare the best credit cards for teens for options or learn how authorized users work.

Can I get Chime at 17?

No. To open a Chime Checking Account, you must be at least 18 years old. Chime also doesn’t allow joint account holders at this time.

Is there a debit card for kids with no fees?

Yes, there are kids’ cards with no monthly fees or overdraft fees. Some of the best free kids’ debit cards include Chase First Banking, Step, Cash App for kids and Axos Bank First Checking.