Step-By-Step Guide To Open A Minor Bank Account Online

Teaching a child about money does not start with investments or complicated concepts. 

It usually starts much earlier, in quieter ways. Thus, you can just watch a balance grow. 

Understanding that money can be saved, not just spent. Furthermore, learning that banks are not scary or distant, but tools you use. 

The decision to open minor bank account online is often a child’s first real interaction with the financial system. 

Moreover, it prepares them for the world they will eventually step into, where salaries, bills, cards, limits, and decisions are part of everyday life. 

For parents, it is less about returns and more about habits, which is equally important! 

Before opening one, though, it helps to slow down and choose wisely. 

Before You Begin: Choosing The Right Account

Not all minor bank accounts are the same, and parents should treat this decision like any other financial choice. So, start with the basics: 

• Is the account a zero-balance account, or does it require a minimum balance? 
• Are there spending or withdrawal limits on the debit card? 
• Does the bank offer parental oversight through alerts or app access?
• What happens when the balance crosses a certain amount? 

Some accounts are designed purely for saving. Others allow limited spending. Some automatically move surplus money into fixed deposits. 

None of these features is “good” or “bad” on its own. 

It depends on the child’s age and maturity. Also, check eligibility. Most banks require: 

• Your child must be under 18 years of age.  
• A parent or legal guardian must operate the account.
• An existing savings account with the same bank for the parent.

Moreover, a few banks allow older minors to operate their own accounts, but only with caps. 

Documents You Will Usually Need For Opening Minor Bank Account Online

This part sounds formal, but it is straightforward when you decide to open minor bank account online. You should be ready with: 

• The child’s birth certificate (to establish age and relationship)  
• The parent or guardian’s identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar, etc.)
• Address proof
• Photographs, if requested 
• PAN of the guardian (and sometimes the child, if available) 

Moreover, most banks now allow this to be uploaded digitally, often with video KYC. No branch visit is needed in many cases. 

Step-By-Step: Open Minor Bank Account Online

The exact screens differ from bank to bank, but the flow is broadly similar when you open minor bank account online. 

1. Step 1: Log In Or Start The Application

Firstly, the parent usually initiates the process using their own bank login or by starting a new application on the bank’s website or app. 

2. Step 2: Enter The Child’s Details

Secondly, the minor is the primary account holder. Name, date of birth, and basic details go here. 

3. Step 3: Add The Guardian Details

Thirdly, you will be listed as the joint holder and operator of the account. This is important because all responsibility rests with the adult until the child turns 18. 

4. Step 4: Upload Documents And Complete KYC

After that, the birth certificate, identity proofs, and address details are verified. Many banks now offer video KYC. 

5. Step 5: Set Controls And Preferences

Lastly, this is often skipped, but it matters when you open minor bank account online.

Debit Card limits, transaction alerts, and sweep-in options (if available) should be set thoughtfully. 

Once verified, the account is activated. Moreover, you receive account details, and the Debit Card usually follows. 

How Minor Bank Accounts Actually Work In Daily Life

A minor savings account is not a free-for-all. There are limits: 

• Spending and withdrawal caps 
• Upper balance limits in some accounts 
• Restrictions on certain types of transactions 

In many cases, if the balance exceeds a predefined threshold, the excess is moved automatically into a Fixed Deposit in the child’s name. 

Moreover, this protects the money and introduces the idea that different financial products serve different purposes. 

What Happens When Your Child Turns 18

This is an important transition that parents often forget. When the minor becomes an adult: 

• Your child’s minor account must be converted into a regular savings account
• Fresh KYC is mandatory  
• Full control moves to the child 

If handled well, this conversion feels natural. The child already understands limits, balances, and basic banking. The account simply grows with them. 

Best Practices For Parents

Opening the account is the easy part. Using it well takes intent. A few things that help: 

• First, encourage deposits from gifts, allowances, or part-time earnings. 
• Second, review statements together occasionally, without judgment. 
• Third, you have to let the child make small mistakes while the stakes are low. 
• Lastly, avoid using the account as a control tool. Use it as a learning tool. 

Most importantly, resist the urge to turn it into a lecture. So, the children learn more from watching balances rise (or fall) than from being told what to do.

Fees For Minor Bank Accounts

The process of opening a bank account for your child in 2026. However, it is a great way to teach them about money. 

But you can find many US banks that charge fees that parents should watch for. Here are the most common ones: 

1. Monthly Maintenance Fees

Some banks charge a fee every single month just to keep the account open. These can range from $5 to $15 for students and minor accounts. 

How to avoid it: Many banks will waive this fee if the child is under age 25 or if you keep a minimum balance of $300 to $500. 

2. ATM Fees

Using an ATM that is not owned by your bank can be very expensive. In 2026, the average total cost for using an out-of-network ATM reached a record high of $4.86. 

How to avoid it: Only use ATMs that belong to your bank’s network, or choose an account that offers ATM fee reimbursements. 

3. Overdraft Fees

An overdraft occurs when you spend more than the account balance. Banks can charge $26 to $36 per transaction that exceeds the limit. 

How to avoid it: Most minor accounts, such as SafeBalance or Teen Checking, are designed to prevent overspending by declining transactions if there is no money. This helps to avoid these fees. 

4. Paper Statement Fees

Many banks now charge a fee to mail you a paper bill each month. This fee is usually between $2 and $5.  

How to avoid it: Sign up for e-statements (electronic statements) through the bank’s mobile app or website. These are almost always free.