You get a debit card by opening a checking account at a bank or credit union. The bank issues the card as part of the account setup, and it arrives in the mail within about a week. If you don’t want a traditional bank account, you can also buy a prepaid debit card at a retail store or online without any account at all.
Opening a Checking Account
The most common way to get a debit card is to open a checking account. Your debit card is linked directly to that account, so every time you swipe or tap the card, the money comes straight from your checking balance. Most banks automatically issue a debit card when you open the account, though some let you choose whether you want one.
You can open an account in person at a branch or online through the bank’s website or app. Either way, you’ll need to provide:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
- Your Social Security number
- An initial deposit (some banks require as little as $1, while others set higher minimums)
Some banks may ask for proof of address or a second form of ID. The application itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you apply online and are approved, your debit card is mailed to you. If you apply in person, some branches can print a temporary card on the spot while your permanent card ships.
How Long It Takes to Get Your Card
Most banks mail debit cards within 7 to 10 business days after your account is opened. Some offer expedited shipping for a fee if you need it faster. When the card arrives, you’ll need to activate it before you can use it. Banks typically let you activate by calling a phone number printed on the sticker attached to the card, logging into online banking, or using the bank’s mobile app. You’ll also be prompted to set a four-digit PIN for ATM withdrawals and certain in-store purchases.
Getting a Debit Card Under 18
You must be 18 to open a bank account on your own, which means you can’t get a standard debit card independently before that age. Opening a bank account is a legal contract, and minors can’t enter into contracts without a parent or guardian involved.
That said, many banks offer teen checking accounts for kids as young as 13 to 17, with a parent or guardian listed as a co-owner on the account. The teen gets their own debit card, while the parent can monitor spending and set limits. Some banks go even younger: Chase, for example, offers accounts with debit cards for children as young as 6, though a parent must already be a Chase customer and will own the account.
If you’d rather not open a full bank account for your child, prepaid debit cards from fintech platforms are another option. Many of these have no minimum age requirement and let parents load money onto the card and track purchases through an app.
Prepaid Debit Cards Without a Bank Account
If you don’t have a bank account, or don’t want one, prepaid debit cards work as a standalone option. You load money onto the card in advance, and you can spend only what’s on it. There’s no credit check, no overdraft risk, and no checking account required.
You can buy prepaid cards at grocery stores, drugstores, convenience stores, and big-box retailers. You can also order them online, in which case you may receive a virtual card number immediately or a physical card in the mail. When purchasing in person, you pay the cost of the card itself (often $3 to $10) plus the amount you want loaded onto it.
After purchasing, you should register the card by providing your name, address, date of birth, phone number, and Social Security number or taxpayer identification number. Registration is important for two reasons: it protects your balance if the card is lost or stolen, and it unlocks features like reloading the card, using it online, and making ATM withdrawals. Registered prepaid cards also become eligible for FDIC deposit insurance, which means your balance is protected if the card’s issuing bank fails.
Fees to Watch For
A debit card itself is usually free when it comes with a checking account, but the account may carry costs. Monthly maintenance fees on checking accounts average $13.51, according to the 2026 MoneyRates survey. You can often avoid this fee by meeting a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or choosing an online bank that doesn’t charge one.
ATM fees are the other cost that catches people off guard. Using an ATM outside your bank’s network triggers two charges: one from the ATM operator and one from your bank. Combined, the average out-of-network ATM fee is $4.64 per transaction. Sticking to your bank’s ATM network or choosing a bank that reimburses ATM fees keeps this cost at zero.
Prepaid debit cards tend to have their own fee structures, including purchase fees, monthly plan fees, reload fees, and sometimes per-transaction charges. These vary widely by card, so compare the fee schedule printed on the packaging or listed on the card issuer’s website before buying.
If your debit card is lost or stolen, most banks will issue a replacement for free, though some charge a small fee for expedited shipping. Reporting a lost card quickly also limits your liability for any unauthorized transactions.
Using Your Debit Card Once It’s Active
Once activated, your debit card works at any retailer that accepts the card network printed on it (Visa, Mastercard, or another network). You can use it for in-store purchases by inserting, swiping, or tapping the card. Online purchases work just like a credit card: enter the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. You can also withdraw cash at ATMs, get cash back at checkout in many stores, and link the card to mobile wallets on your phone for contactless payments.
Unlike a credit card, every debit card transaction pulls money directly from your account balance. If you try to spend more than what’s in your account, the transaction will typically be declined unless you’ve opted into overdraft coverage, which lets the transaction go through but charges you a fee. Keeping overdraft protection turned off is a simple way to avoid surprise charges.