Can a 12 year old get a prepaid credit card?
Rachel Davis
Updated on January 19, 2026
It’s likely that your child will need to be at least 13 years old before receiving a card. These cards also effectively function as a prepaid debit card because you can establish parental controls.
Can a 14 year old buy a prepaid card?
In most cases, you will need a parent’s signature or verification if you want to apply for a prepaid card before 18 years old. Prepaid cards also don’t help build credit and may come with small fees, including activation fees and monthly fees.
Can minors buy prepaid cards?
A person of any age can buy a prepaid debit card. To transform that card to a regular account that receives electronic funding of deposits, you will need to meet the same qualifications as for a regular bank account.
What prepaid card can a 14 year old get?
The Visa Buxx card is a prepaid card, so spending limits are set by the amount of money parents load onto the card. When a teen makes a purchase with the Visa Buxx card, the purchase amount is deducted from the card balance.
Can a 12 year old have a Visa debit card?
Some institutions don’t permit minors to have debit cards under their own name until they are at least 16, but others offer them to children who are 13 or even younger. Children have their own debit card, but parents can check spending online or on a mobile app.
What is the best prepaid card for a teenager?
The 6 best prepaid cards for teens
- Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard.
- BusyKid Spend card.
- Current teen banking Visa Debit Card.
Should my 14 year old have a debit card?
Banks and credit unions have their own policies regarding the minimum age required of an account holder to be issued a debit card. Some financial institutions start at 16, while others can be persuaded by parents who can demonstrate their 14-year old is responsible enough and ready for a debit card.
Can I get a prepaid card at 16?
Most prepaid cards are available to people who are 18 years old or older. However, there is a way around this if you would like your minor child to get a prepaid debit card. Many prepaid cards allow children 13 and older to be added as authorized users on the account.
Can I get a debit card for my 15 year old?
A child can typically get a debit card at 13 when a parent or legal guardian opens a joint teen checking account on their behalf. Teen checking accounts are typically available until the child turns 18.
How old do you have to be to get a prepaid Visa gift card?
Individuals cannot purchase a prepaid credit card until they reach the age of 18.
How old do you have to be to get a prepaid credit card?
This particular secured card reports to all three credit bureaus, so though you’re using your own money to fund purchases, you’re still building positive credit history. Prepaid cards are available to anyone 18 years of age or older, and do not require a cosigner or credit check.
Are there limits to how much you can put into a prepaid card?
All banks and credit card companies operate under similar rules to the prepaid card industry. The federal government, in order to prevent mismanagement and money laundering, sets limits of how much money you can put into or take out of certain types of accounts on a daily or monthly basis. And prepaid cards are no different.
What’s the minimum age to be an authorized user on a credit card?
If you’re looking to jump-start your kid’s credit history or track their spending, consider adding your child as an authorized user on your credit card. Becoming an authorized user has looser age requirements than if your kid opened their own card, since the minimum age to open a credit card as the primary account holder is 18.
Can a 18 year old apply for a credit card?
You can still apply for a credit card at 18, but your parents will need to cosign for you. This can be tricky because the responsibility becomes much heavier when someone else’s credit is at stake.