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

Quick answer

At U.S. Bank, you must be 18 or older to open a bank account on your own. Account options vary if you’re under 18. Teens ages 13 to 17 may be eligible for a joint checking account with a parent or guardian. Per U.S. Bank policy, a checking account can never be opened for a minor under the age of 13, even when an adult joint owner is present. A savings account can be opened for a minor under the age of 13 with a signing authority.

On this page

Minimum age to open a bank account on your own

Bank account options by age

U.S. Bank account options by age

Custodial accounts for minors under 13

Joint accounts for teens ages 13 to 17

Required identification and documentation

Benefits of opening a bank account early

What happens when you turn 18?

Frequently asked questions

Minimum age to open a bank account on your own

At U.S. Bank, the minimum age to open a bank account by yourself is 18. At this age, you can open and manage an account in your own name without a parent or guardian.

If you are under 18, you are considered a minor. Minors cannot open a standard bank account alone but can access banking through a joint or custodial setup with an adult.

Bank account options by age

Before choosing an account, it helps to understand the main types available, the ages when they’re eligible, and the benefits of each one.

Under 13

Custodial account: Managed by an adult until the child (under age 13) reaches the legal age, when ownership transfers.

Ages 13-17

Joint account: Shared by a parent or guardian and a teen (ages 13 to 17), with equal access and control.

Age 18 and older

Individual account: Owned and managed by one person age 18 or older.

Comparison of account types

Account type

Who owns it

Who controls it

Best for

Custodial account

Minor under age 13

Parent/guardian until the age of termination

Younger children building savings

Joint account

Teen (ages 13 to 17) & parent

Shared

Teens learning to manage money

Individual account

Adult (18+)

Account owner

Adults managing money on their own

Account type

Custodial account

Who owns it

Minor under age 13

Who controls it

Parent/guardian until the age of termination

Best for

Younger children building savings

Account type

Joint account

Who owns it

Teen (ages 13 to 17) & parent

Who controls it

Shared

Best for

Teens learning to manage money

Account type

Individual account

Who owns it

Adult (18+)

Who controls it

Account owner

Best for

Adults managing money on their own

U.S. Bank account options by age

U.S. Bank offers a range of youth accounts, teen accounts, and student checking options based on age. Each option includes features designed to match how you manage money by age group.

Age group

Account option

Key features

Under 13

Greenlight debit1 (parent-managed minor or youth account)

Parents manage spending through an app, set limits, track purchases, and send money instantly to help kids build basic money habits safely.

Teens (13 to 17)

U.S. Bank Bank Smartly® Checking account for teens (joint account)

Parent or guardian shares ownership and account access that includes a debit card with spending alerts, monitoring and mobile and online banking for everyday money use and learning. Also the $12 Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for customers ages 13 to 17.2

Ages 18 to 24

Bank Smartly Checking for young adults (independent account)

The $12 Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for customers ages 18 to 24.2 Other ways to waive the fee include maintaining a minimum balance or having qualifying direct deposits. Enjoy full access to digital banking and budgeting tools, plus money management resources and tips.

Age group

Under 13

Account option

Greenlight debit1 (parent-managed minor or youth account)

Key features

Parents manage spending through an app, set limits, track purchases, and send money instantly to help kids build basic money habits safely.

Age group

Teens (13 to 17)

Account option

U.S. Bank Bank Smartly® Checking account for teens (joint account)

Key features

Parent or guardian shares ownership and account access that includes a debit card with spending alerts, monitoring and mobile and online banking for everyday money use and learning. Also the $12 Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for customers ages 13 to 17.2

Age group

Ages 18 to 24

Account option

Bank Smartly Checking for young adults (independent account)

Key features

The $12 Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for customers ages 18 to 24.2 Other ways to waive the fee include maintaining a minimum balance or having qualifying direct deposits. Enjoy full access to digital banking and budgeting tools, plus money management resources and tips.

Custodial accounts for minors under 13

A custodial account is owned by the child but controlled by a parent or guardian until the child reaches the legal age. This gives the adults full control until the child reaches adulthood, and both the funds and account control transfer to them.

It’s never too early to help your minor child start to save through a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account. Help them learn about compounding interest when they deposit birthday and holiday gifts so they can watch their bank balances grow over time.

 

Joint accounts for teens ages 13 to 17

A joint account is shared between a teen and a parent or guardian. Both are legal account owners with equal access.

At U.S. Bank, a parent or guardian can open a Bank Smartly Checking for teens as a co-owner. The account gives teens ages 13 to 17 safe access to checking and debit spending while parents stay involved.

Key features include:

  • Shared access for guidance and oversight
  • Account alerts and notifications3
  • Easy transfers for allowance or support
  • Mobile banking and debit card access

 

Required identification and documentation

You need to provide basic personal information to open a bank account at U.S. Bank. Requirements can vary by age and status.

Standard requirements

  • Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Proof of address
  • Minimum opening deposit (check for the current minimum amount)

For minors

  • Social Security number or ITIN for parent and child
  • Minor’s ID (such as a birth certificate or photo ID)
  • Parent or guardian’s ID and proof of address
  • Both present for in-person joint account opening

Additional for international applicants

  • Passport
  • Visa documents (I-20 or I-94)

 

Benefits of opening a bank account early

Opening a bank account early can help children and teens practice budgeting, saving, tracking spending, and using digital banking safely with guidance from parents, guardians, or educators.

Research suggests that young people with a bank account before age 18 are more likely to be banked as young adults and less likely to rely on alternative financial services.

Benefits include:

  • Build budgeting and savings habits
  • Practice using digital banking tools safely
  • Learn how deposits, spending, and balances work
  • Move more easily into mainstream banking as an adult

 

What happens when you turn 18?

At age 18, you can open your own account or transition from a joint or custodial account. According to federal law, 18 is the age where you can legally sign binding contracts. Note that some states allow exceptions, but U.S. Bank follows national standards for 18 as the legal age.

You can:

  • Open an individual account, savings or checking
  • Manage money on your own
  • Access more banking features and digital tools
  • Get the Monthly Maintenance Fee of $122 waived for eligible customers aged 18 to 24 for Bank Smartly Checking
  • Have greater account flexibility

Frequently asked questions

You must be 18 years old to open a bank account on your own at U.S. Bank.

No, minors need a parent or guardian. Teens ages 13-17 can open a checking account with an adult as a joint owner. Savings accounts can be opened for a child of any age by an adult (the account must be opened in a branch).

Teens ages 13 to 17 can open a joint account with an adult.

No, a 17-year-old cannot open a bank account alone. A parent or guardian must join as a co-owner.

A parent can open a savings account for a child of any age, but the child can only be a signer once they turn 13.

Minors need a Social Security number, a form of ID, and a parent or guardian’s identification and proof of address.

Teens ages 13 to 17 can get a debit card with a joint account. Younger children can use a parent-managed debit option.

At U.S. Bank, when a minor turns 18, they need to open a new account to be an individual signer.

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Disclosures

  1. U.S. Bank customers are eligible to receive the Greenlight Select plan complimentary when an eligible U.S. Bank checking account (excludes Safe Debit and Electronic Transfer accounts) is added as a funding source. You are required to be an authorized transactor on the U.S. Bank account, be at least 18 years of age, and be enrolled in online banking. Your U.S. Bank checking account(s) must be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account for the entirety of the partnership. If your U.S. Bank checking account(s) cease to be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account or you add a funding source that is not an eligible U.S. Bank checking account, you may be charged a monthly fee by Greenlight. In-app upgrades will result in additional fees. Subject to Greenlight identity verification. See greenlight.com/terms for additional information. Offer subject to change. Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), Member FDIC. The Greenlight Mastercard is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.

  2. Bank Smartly Checking account Monthly Maintenance Fee: For newly opened U.S. Bank Smartly Checking accounts, the Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for the first 2 statement periods from the account open date. Members of the military (requires self-disclosure), Workplace-Financial Wellness Program, U.S. Bank Global Transition Solutions, clients age 13-24 or clients 65 and over, pay no monthly maintenance fee. State Farm Alliance customers can waive the monthly maintenance fee as an owner of an eligible personal State Farm credit card. All others can have it waived by meeting any one of the following criteria: Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more; or keep a minimum average account balance of $1,500 or more; or owner on a U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card; or owner of an eligible U.S. Bank small business checking account; or qualify for one of the three Smart Rewards® tiers (Gold Tier, Platinum Tier or Platinum Plus Tier).

    The average account balance is calculated by adding the balance at the end of each calendar day in the statement period and dividing that sum by the total number of calendar days within the statement period. Other fees may apply.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure for more details.

  3. Text messaging fees – For text alerts, standard messaging charges apply through your mobile carrier and message frequency depends on account settings. Check with your carrier for specific fees and charges. Please be advised that the alerts may not be sent immediately.

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The U.S. Bank Visa® Debit Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.