Teen bank account

The best bank account for a 16 year old or 17 year old will be the one that fits your needs and circumstances. Eligibility and ID requirements may also differ between banks.

Does the Adapt teen bank account charge any fees?

No, the Adapt account is fee-free, with no monthly charges. It has no overdraft facility either.

Can I open an Adapt account if I don’t have photo ID?

If you don’t have photo ID, you can still get an Adapt bank account. However, you’ll need to apply with a parent or guardian who has a NatWest current account.

Can I use Apple Pay and Google Pay™ with my Adapt account?

Yes, you can easily pay via Apple Pay and Google Pay™ with your Adapt teen account. Just check the eligibility criteria first.

Yes, a teenager could open an account themselves as long as they are over the age of 16, which is the minimum age for most of our adult savings accounts. Specific eligibility criteria apply.

Continue to our savings accounts

Yes, you could open an under 18 bank account on behalf of your teenager. Please visit our child Adapt account page for all the details on the account, including how to apply.

Alternatively, if you’re a teenager, you could open the Adapt bank account online for yourself as a 16 year old or 17 year old.

Yes, you could open our Adapt bank account online if you’re 16-17 by following the steps above.

You’ll need photo ID such as:

• A passport
• A full or provisional UK driving licence
• An ID card from an EU or EEA country
• A PASS card.

You will also require proof of address like a:

• Bank, building society or credit union statement
• Utility or council tax bill
• HMRC National Insurance confirmation letter or tax code notice
• Full or provisional UK driving licence.

If you’re a parent or guardian and already have a bank account with us, you could open a teen bank account for your 11-17 year old online quickly and easily.

Key requirements and documentation

You’ll need a few things to hand to start the application:

• a form of ID for yourself,
• your child’s ID, and;
• proof of address for you both. 

For a 16 year old or 17 year old, you could open a bank account online yourself if you have the relevant ID.

Once you’re all set up, you can start making payments and managing your earnings from your bank account.

A NatWest current account can be opened for a child who is between 11 to 15 years old provided that the parent or guardian has a bank account with us already. A teenager could open an Adapt bank account for themselves if they’re a 16 year old or a 17 year old.

However, different providers may ask for different types of information to open an under 18 bank account, depending on the child’s age.

• Winners will be notified by email within 30 days of 17th August. 
• The email will go to the address registered for the child. 
• Parents will be emailed too if their email details were given (for kids aged 11-15).
• You will be invited to exchange your reward code for an eGift or Gift Card from a wide range of high street retailers.
• You will have 60 days to redeem your reward code.

You'll get a £20 gift card if you open an Adapt account.

We’ll then email and text you a £20 gift card code within 30 days of your account being opened.

Available to those who open an Adapt account from 24th August 2026. Existing Adapt account holders are not eligible. This offer may be changed, replaced or withdrawn at any time.

After opening your account, details on how to redeem your £20 gift card code will be sent within 30 days via:

An email from natwestadapt@select-your-reward.co.uk with the subject 'Your £20 gift card is here!'.

A text message from NatWest.

You’ll need to follow the instructions detailed in the message or email. The website link you will be directed to, to exchange your code for a retailer of your choice is natwestadapt.select-your-reward.co.uk