How Old Do You Have to Be to Use PayPal? (Plus Alternatives) (2024)

Co-authored bySavannah VoldReviewed byAlex Kwan

Last Updated: May 25, 2023Fact Checked

Things You Should Know

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1. You must be at least 18 to start your own PayPal account. PayPal users must be the age of majority (typically 18) to sign and enter into a legal agreement, which is why a minor cannot create their own PayPal account. Additionally, you must be a resident of the United States or one of its territories.^[1]

   • Similarly, you must be 18 to use Venmo, Zelle, Meta Pay, and Google Pay.
   • In the past, PayPal offered a student account for people under 18, but it was discontinued indefinitely in 2016.

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1. Yes, with the permission of your guardian. A guardian can permit their legal minor to use their PayPal account to purchase items or receive money in their name. For example, if a minor wanted to purchase something online using their guardian’s PayPal account, they would ask them if they had permission before using their guardian’s login credentials to make their purchase. Alternatively, they can have their guardian make the purchase for them.^[2]

   • Any guardian who allows their minor to use their PayPal account must ensure that all purchases are approved and reviewed by them, as they have full legal responsibility over any transactions occurring over the platform.
   • A minor may also arrange to pay their guardian back using funds from their student checking account if they have one.

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1. If you create a PayPal account underage, the account will be closed. Any minor who created a PayPal account before the age of 18 will have their account permanently deleted. Since providing false, misleading information is a breach of the User Agreement, PayPal has the right to terminate your account, refuse to provide PayPal’s services, hold any balance on the account for up to 180 days, contact the user’s bank, and take legal action against the user—it’s not worth it!^[3]

   • Underage PayPal account users could have their funds in holding for up to 180 days and have to contact their employers or clients to update their payment method.
   • If you accidentally created a PayPal account under 18, the best thing to do is delete your account and make a new one once you’re 18.

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1. 1

   Cash App: Transferring money and making online transactions is a breeze with Cash App. With features like fraud protection and data monitoring, guardians can rest easy knowing their minor’s financial information is safe. Plus, guardians have constant access to their minor's accounts and can view their transactions via the mobile app.^[4]

   • No overdraft fees, paywalled features, and a cost-free debit card make this an easy and safe PayPal alternative for minors.
   • Minors 13-17 can request a Cash Card and sign up for an account with a guardian's approval.^[5]
2. 2

   Apple Pay: Apple Pay makes online transactions, in-store transactions, and sending money to family and friends as simple as possible. With built-in privacy and security, guardians can count on this as a safe alternative to PayPal for their minors. Not to mention, millions of websites and apps accept it.^[6]

   • ApplePay is already built-in on most Apple devices, making set-up a breeze.
   • Users under 18 must have a guardian or “Family Organizer” set up an ApplePay account for them.^[7]
3. 3

   Samsung Pay: Offered and accepted at millions of locations, making online transactions with Samsung Pay is stress-free. Users love having the ability to store their banking cards digitally across their devices. Plus, your bank's fraud protection covers every transaction.^[8]

   • Samsung Pay users also get Cash Back Awards when they shop at their favorite merchants.
   • Minors may not use Samsung Pay unless their guardian has reviewed and agreed to the Terms of Services.^[9]
4. 4

   Capital One Teen Checking Account: This 0-fee checking account is a great option for especially young users (8-18) to make online transactions via a free debit card and accept payments to their account. Access to online and mobile banking, plus no minimum balance requirement, makes this an excellent, secure alternative to PayPal.^[10]

   • Additional benefits include no monthly fees, a joint account program accessible to guardians and minors, and easy access to funds at over 70,000 fee-free ATMs across the U.S.
   • This is a joint checking account option that requires a legal guardian to either attach their own Capital One banking account to their minor’s or use an existing, active deposit account from another accredited U.S. bank.^[11]
5. 5

   Bank of America Student Banking: For those under 25, this program offers no monthly maintenance fees for eligible students and online/mobile banking access for easy payments and transactions. Plus, Bank of America Student Banking offers a 0-liability guarantee, making it an excellent alternative to PayPal, where creating an account underage is liable to legal action.^[12]

   • Bank of America Student Banking also boasts no overdraft fees and is accessible via thousands of financial centers and ATMs across the U.S.
   • To create an account, minors need a co-applicant over 18.^[13]
6. 6

   Chase High School Checking: Available to students 13-17, this option offers all the benefits of mobile banking, such as online transactions, deposits, and account management. With impressive security and payment protection, this is another great alternative to PayPal for minors. Plus, guardians gain extra access to their minor's account by being a co-owner making financial supervision a breeze.^[14]

   • Chase tends to have overdraft fees of around $35, so ensure that your account has sufficient funds before making any transactions.
   • Minors need a guardian with a qualifying Chase checking account to apply.^[15]
7. 7

   Bluebird by American Express: This hybrid between a checking account and a credit card allows users to quickly and easily transfer money from 1 central account to up to 4 pre-paid cards. For guardians, this is an excellent way to provide funds to their minors safely and securely. No monthly fees, the ability to make online transactions, and access to over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide make this a competitive banking alternative.^[16]

   • Guardians can monitor their minors spending activity online or via the app.
   • An adult must first create their own regular Bluebird account before establishing a Family Account where they can link their minor.^[17]
8. 8

   MyVanilla Card: This pre-paid card can be found at Walmart, among other locations, and offers an easy-to-use mobile app to manage your account, make free direct deposits, transfer funds, and more. Plus, you have the option to choose between a Visa or a MasterCard.^[18]

   • MyVanilla Card is reloadable, meaning users can conveniently reload funds via the app or at participating Walmart stores.
   • Keep in mind that minors can’t purchase these cards themselves and must have a guardian purchase the card, sign the agreement, and add their minor to the account.
9. 9

   FamZoo Family Account: Like an American Express Bluebird account, guardians can set up pre-paid cards for multiple minors, make online transactions, manage their accounts, and more. Additionally, guardians can set up automatic allowance amounts that transfer to their minors at any interval they choose.^[19]

   • Other impressive benefits include requesting payments, splitting payments, and setting savings goals.
   • An adult must create a FamZoo account and become a legal cardholder before adding their minor to their Family Plan.^[20]

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