What Documents Do Parents Typically Need to Open a Bank Account for a Child?
Deciding it’s time to open a bank account for a child is the easy part. Showing up at a bank or opening an app and realizing you’re not sure which documents to bring is where a lot of parents get stuck.
The quick answer
Banks generally ask for the child’s Social Security number, a document proving the child’s identity such as a birth certificate, and the parent’s own government-issued identification, since most youth accounts are joint accounts that legally require an adult co-owner. Some institutions also want proof of address for the parent and, occasionally, additional identifying information for the child depending on the account type and the child’s age.
Why a parent’s information is required too
Almost all bank accounts for minors are structured as joint accounts, custodial accounts, or accounts with a parent listed as a co-owner or authorized adult, because a minor generally can’t legally enter into a standalone account contract on their own. That structure is exactly why the parent’s own identification, Social Security number, and sometimes proof of address end up on the paperwork list right alongside the child’s information — the bank is verifying two people, not one.
The child’s side of the paperwork
- Social Security number. Nearly universal requirement, used for tax reporting on any interest the account earns.
- Birth certificate or other proof of identity. Since most children don’t have a driver’s license or state ID, a birth certificate is the standard substitute. Some banks also accept a passport or a school ID for older kids.
- Existing account information, if transferring funds. Not always required, but useful if the account is being funded from an existing custodial account or gift.
Requirements can vary meaningfully by institution and by the type of account being opened, so it’s worth checking with the specific bank before the appointment, especially for an online-only account designed for teens, which sometimes verifies identity differently than a traditional branch visit.
Age and account type change the details
A basic savings account for a young child usually asks for less than an account designed for a teenager who will have their own debit card and mobile access. Teen-focused accounts sometimes ask the teen to be present for identity verification, and may include separate terms about spending limits or whether the account can actually go negative the way an adult’s checking account can. Custodial investment accounts, as opposed to basic savings accounts, can involve a different and sometimes longer paperwork process altogether.
What isn’t usually required
Parents sometimes assume they’ll need something more formal, like a notarized letter or a tax return, but that’s typically not the case for a standard youth savings or checking account. The process is generally closer to opening any other joint account than to something like establishing a trust. If a grandparent or other relative wants to contribute regularly, that’s often handled separately through gifts or an allowance structured around the child’s age rather than through the account-opening paperwork itself.
Putting it in perspective
Opening a bank account for a child mostly comes down to two sets of standard identification: the child’s Social Security number and proof of identity, and the parent’s own ID, since the parent is legally a co-owner of the account. The exact list can vary by bank and by account type, so a quick call ahead of time can save a wasted trip. Once the account exists, it can also become a useful, low-stakes way to start introducing basic investing concepts down the road.