Everyone will own a debit card at some point in their lives. However, the process can sometimes be daunting and confusing, especially for younger people.
So, with this in mind, how old do you have to be to get a debit card? Let’s take a look!
Do Banks Allow Debit Cards for Under 18 Year Olds?
How old do you have to be to get a debit card? Well, the answer to that depends on the bank itself. Some debit cards are marketed to those 13 and above, but there are plenty of banks that give debit cards to children as young as six years old.
At the moment, around 20% of American teenagers use a debit card day to day. However, regardless of the age, if you’re under 18, a parent must be on the account to give permission to use the card.
Can Under 18’s Use a Debit Card?
As previously mentioned, some banks out there offer cards to kids as young as six— but permission will be needed for every transaction.
The minimum age to use a debit card depends on various aspects, including:
- Whether parents are on the account
- Which bank is used
- What the money will be used for
- How much cash is in the account
- Is the debit card prepaid or standard?
These are some of the questions that banks will ask parents to determine which debit card their child will be eligible for. However, some personal factors parents need to consider include the child’s maturity and financial literacy.
Which Banks Offer Debit Cards for Minors?
When it comes to how old do you have to be to get a debit card, there are options that don't involve big bank names; most of which offer low-cost and even free plans. Let’s take a look at some of the best child-friendly banks:
Chase First Banking
If you are looking for an account with strict parenting controls and management tools, you should choose Chase First. This bank offers minors a debit card specifically designed to teach them exactly about managing money responsibly.
So, how old do you have to be to get a debit card at Chase? The bank allows accounts for children from ages six to 17— ensuring the safety of parental control at all times.
The controls are built into the debit card, and parents can customize all alerts and learn all about their child’s spending. There are also flexible spending limits to prevent eager teens from overspending. However, to get a debit card for a child with Chase, you have to be an existing customer.
Copper Banking
If you want a debit card for your teenager, Copper Banking could be the solution. They cater to kids between 13 and 17 year olds, as well as their parents, with the aim of educating them to make smart financial decisions.
The Copper Banking debit card can be used everywhere and there are 55,000 ATMs to withdraw cash for free. In addition, the bank offers an app with unique features including auto-savings, instant money sending, and spending monitors.
Additionally, Copper uses a secure encryption solution to protect your account and an extra authentication step to protect you. One of the best features is that all Copper Banking accounts are insured for up to $250,000.
There’s a minimum $10 deposit to open the account and there’s also a good referral program to earn extra cash for friendship referrals, with your teen earning $3 for every referral.
Current
If you want a child-friendly money management app with easy customizable parental controls, then Current should be your go-to. You can get paid up to two days early if your payer is a qualifying one and you can get some amazing cash-back earnings on the right purchases. In addition, you don’t have to worry about fees on overdrafts and there’s also a mobile check deposit option.
Another excellent feature in this app is that there’s an automated savings transfer option. This will help round-up on debit card purchases; therefore, it’s a good option for the financially self-sufficient young folks out there. It’ll cost $36 per year, but Current offers more financial freedom than other apps.
Users can earn up to 15x the points when swiping across a range of merchants and there are no hidden fees or overdraft fees to consider.
Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking Account
For those looking for a free teen checking account, an Alliant Credit Union Account is one of the options they should consider. There are no balance requirements or monthly fees, and it’s great option for teenagers looking to do this for the first time.
All accounts with Alliant come with free Visa debit cards and with a box of checks. In addition, all of the balances in the account yield 0.25% APY when at least one deposit is received per month. Another benefit is that when the account holder turns 18, the account is automatically converted to an adult checking account.
However, to get a free teen checking account, you have to be an Alliant Credit Union member. If you live in Chicago, you can join the branch in person. Although, there are other ways to join, such as by becoming a supporter of Foster Care to Success, which is a partner charity.
Capital One: MONEY Teen Checking Account
For an account with a 0.10% APY on all balances, the Capital One: MONEY Teen Checking Account is a good option. You can get a paperless checking account for kids between 13 and 17 years old. One of the benefits is that there are no minimums with ongoing balance requirements and there is a great yield on all account balances. It’s a great account for kids who are looking to dip a toe into financial waters for the first time.
There are checks or electronic bill-paying options, and you get a free Mastercard debit card. Parents are able to set up the account to receive email and text alerts for specific transitions and account actions, allowing them full control over their kids’ finances.
Additionally, there are budgeting features to avoid overspending. Account holders under 18 will have a daily $500 limit for transactions without a PIN. For PIN transactions, there’s another $500 limit, and another $500 limit for ATM withdrawals.
Another great feature is that there are savings account options and if you have one you can get an overdraft facility attached to the account. However, for expedited debit card processing there is a $25 fee, and there is a $5 fee for all statement copies you might want.
Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking
With a robust suite of money management tools, the Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking account is great for kids between 13 and 17, but they need an adult co-owner to sign into the account. Another benefit is that there are no maintenance fees for minors. However, the account doesn't have any yield and it’s not ideal to store away savings.
The Wells Fargo family of banks have a range of educational tools for youngsters looking to learn what they can about money. In addition, there are plenty of parental controls to monitor spending and impose spending limits.
You need $25 to open the account, but there’s no requirement to have an ongoing balance. In addition, you do get 24/7 fraud monitoring and there are free transfers through the app and website. The bank also offers overdraft protection and will cover shortfalls on any transactions.
There is a monthly $5 service fee for account holders over the age of 25, and there is a $2.50 charge for ATM withdrawals when you withdraw money from a bank that is not Wells Fargo.
Chase High School Checking
If you are a minor, you have to open the account with an adult as a co-owner of the account. The accounts are then linked to allow direct control over the funding. With the Chase High School Checking Account, you can choose prepaid debit cards as opposed to an entire account, but many parents use these as a way to avoid a custodial account for minors.
However, you can automatically upgrade to an adult Chase Checking Account as soon as you turn 19. Once the account changes, the adult account holder that was originally on the account is removed.
There are no account opening bonuses, and it’s fee-free across 16,000 Chase and affiliated ATMs out there. In addition, money transfers are fast, but if you opt into the overdraft program, you will be charged $34 per overdraft item.
Greenlight
Another excellent option for minors is Greenlight, a debit card that makes it easy for parents to manage funds and walking-around money for their kids. The best features of this debit card is the in-app chore list. This is something that allows parents to tie financial incentives to household jobs that kids must complete to earn pocket money.
Monthly or weekly allowance transfers can be automated, so there are no manual deposits needed. In addition, whenever the card is used, you can get real-time notifications pop up on the phone or email. The earnings, savings, and spending goals for children can be customized with the Greenlight debit card.
The plan with Greenlight costs around $4.99 per month, and there are plans for $7.98 that allow for child-friendly investment programs. This app has full parental control and there is identity theft protection and even cell phone coverage.
GoHenry
This is a child-friendly prepaid debit card and it’s there for kids as young as six. If your kid earns money for chores, they’ll love this one!
They can manage their allowance, get activity fees and school supplies saved up, and they can even build a savings pot for their education. There are so many options with the GoHenry card, from setting up and funding chores, teaching your children the value of money in the process of giving them a little more for their hard work.
You can help to create and contribute to their savings goals, set up automated allowances, and manage payments that come through the account. In addition, as a parent, you can set the rules about where and how much your kids can spend on their GoHenry card, and you can even switch on the instant card blockers if they lose it.
Age Limits— How Old Do You Have to Be to Get A Debit Card?
When you are looking for the age limit for debit cards, you need to check the terms and conditions of the bank you hope to use for your child’s account. When it comes to how old do you have to be to get a debit card, checking the individual rules for your state is also useful!
How to Choose the Right Bank
There are many things to consider when it comes to choosing the right bank for your child. Some of these include:
- A bank that teaches your child how to be financially literate— including how to save and invest.
- Any bank account fees that can be avoided
- Setting up card alerts with banking apps to ensure their safety
In Conclusion
So, how old do you have to be to get a debit card? The answer is that children between six and 17 can get one! The hardest decision is choosing the right bank, but after careful research and reading this article, you are ready to do it!
