You can get a debit card for your child by opening a joint or custodial account at a bank, credit union, or through a kids’ banking app. Most options require you, the parent, to be the primary account holder, since minors can’t open accounts on their own. The process is straightforward and can often be done online in under 15 minutes.
When Your Child Is Old Enough
There’s no single legal age for a child to have a debit card. It depends on the provider. Some kids’ banking apps set a minimum age of 6 or 13, while others allow accounts for children of any age as long as a parent is attached to the account. A few niche apps even let you set up an account starting at age 1, though a debit card for a toddler is really just a way for parents to start organizing savings early.
Traditional banks that offer youth checking accounts typically set the floor between 6 and 13. If your child is under 6, your best bet is a kids’ banking app rather than a brick-and-mortar bank. For teens, nearly every major bank has an option.
Your Main Options
Kids’ Banking Apps
Apps like Greenlight and Acorns Early are designed specifically for families. They pair a debit card for your child with a parent app that lets you set spending limits, send money instantly, and get notifications when the card is used. These apps charge monthly subscription fees. Greenlight starts at $5.99 per month for its Core plan and goes up to $14.98 per month for premium tiers. Acorns Early costs $5 per month for one child or $10 per month for two to four kids. The tradeoff for those fees is a polished set of parental controls and, in some cases, built-in savings goals, chore tracking, and investing features for older kids.
Bank Youth Accounts
Several major banks offer free youth checking accounts that come with a debit card. Chase First Banking has no monthly fee and gives your child access to 16,000 Chase ATMs with a $100 daily ATM withdrawal limit. Capital One MONEY Teen Checking is also free and includes access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Axos Bank’s First Checking charges no monthly maintenance fee either. If you already bank with one of these institutions, a youth account is the simplest path since you can usually add it through your existing online banking login.
Credit Unions
Many credit unions offer youth savings and checking accounts with low or no fees. The features tend to be more basic than what you’d get from a kids’ app, but the cost is hard to beat. Check whether your credit union offers a debit card with the youth account, as some only issue one once the child reaches a certain age.
Documents You’ll Need
Whether you apply online or in a branch, you’ll need to verify identity for both yourself and your child. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, opening an account requires information to verify your name, date of birth, address, and an identification number.
For yourself, plan to provide:
- A government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID)
- Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- A secondary form of ID such as a utility bill with your name and address, your Social Security card, or your birth certificate
For your child, you’ll typically need:
- Their Social Security number or ITIN
- Their date of birth
- Their birth certificate (some providers require this, others don’t)
If you don’t have a U.S. or state-issued photo ID, some banks and credit unions accept foreign passports or consular IDs like the Matricula Consular card. If the account earns interest, a Social Security number or ITIN is required.
How to Set It Up
Start by deciding whether a free bank account or a paid app fits your family better. If you mainly want a simple card your child can use for purchases and ATM withdrawals, a no-fee bank account does the job. If you want tools like chore-based allowances, spending category controls, or investment features, a paid app may be worth the subscription.
Once you’ve picked a provider, the steps are similar everywhere. You’ll create your own parent account first (or link to your existing bank account), then add your child’s profile with their personal details. Most online applications take five to ten minutes. The provider will verify your identity, and the debit card typically arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Some banks with physical branches let you pick up the card in person and activate it the same day.
After the card arrives, activate it through the app or by calling the number on the sticker. Then fund the account with an initial transfer from your bank account. Even a small amount, $20 or $50, is enough to get started and gives your child something to practice with.
Parental Controls Worth Using
Most kids’ debit cards come with controls you manage through a smartphone app. The specifics vary by provider, but the most useful features to look for include:
- Spending limits: Set a daily or weekly cap so your child can’t drain the account in one purchase.
- Real-time notifications: Get an alert on your phone every time the card is swiped, showing the amount and the store.
- Card lock: Instantly freeze the card from your app if it’s lost or if you just want to pause spending.
- Store or category restrictions: Some apps let you block certain merchant types so the card can’t be used at specific kinds of stores.
- ATM controls: Set withdrawal limits or disable ATM access entirely.
Free bank accounts like Chase First Banking include basic controls such as spending limits and alerts through the parent’s banking app. Paid apps like Greenlight tend to offer more granular options. Consider which controls you’ll actually use before paying extra for features that sound nice but you’ll never configure.
What It Costs
The cost range is wide. At one end, accounts from Chase, Capital One, and Axos charge nothing. At the other end, premium app plans can run nearly $15 per month, or about $180 per year. For most families, a free bank account or a basic paid plan in the $5 to $6 per month range covers everything a child needs.
Watch for ATM fees. Free in-network ATM access is standard, but using an out-of-network ATM can trigger a fee from both the ATM operator and sometimes the card provider. Chase limits ATM withdrawals to $100, which is reasonable for a child but worth knowing before they’re standing at a machine expecting more. Capital One’s network of 70,000 fee-free ATMs is the largest among the free options, making out-of-network charges less likely.
None of these accounts require a minimum balance to open or maintain, so you won’t get hit with a low-balance fee if your child spends down to zero.
Teaching Money Skills Along the Way
A debit card works best as a teaching tool when your child has some ownership over the money on it. Consider depositing a regular allowance and letting them manage it rather than reloading the card only when they ask. Seeing a balance go down after purchases, and having to wait until the next deposit, teaches budgeting faster than any lecture.
Many apps include features like savings goals, where your child can set aside money for something specific and watch the progress bar fill up. Even a basic bank account lets you walk through the transaction history together and talk about where the money went. The card itself is just plastic. The conversations it starts are what build real financial habits.