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Adapt Teen bank account

Bank account for 16-17s

  • Unlock a £20 gift card when you open an Adapt account. 
  • Easily manage your money with features like split bills and debit card freeze

If you're 16 or 17, you can apply for an account in your own name. You'll need valid ID and must live in the UK. Offer T&Cs and restrictions apply.

Offer available now

A £20 gift card could be yours

Help your child take their first steps towards managing money.
 
  • Open an Adapt account.
  • We’ll email and text you a £20 gift card code within 30 days of your account being opened.
  • Exchange the code for a gift card from a range of popular retailers.

 

Adapt Gift Card T&Cs 2026 (PDF, 242 KB)

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 This offer may be changed, replaced or withdrawn at any time.

Offer available now

A £20 gift card could be yours

Help your child take their first steps towards managing money.
 
  • Open an Adapt account.
  • We’ll email and text you a £20 gift card code within 30 days of your account being opened.
  • Exchange the code for a gift card from a range of popular retailers.

 

Adapt Gift Card T&Cs 2026 (PDF, 242 KB)

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 This offer may be changed, replaced or withdrawn at any time.

One4All gift card image

Key features of our kids & teen bank account

Get a £20 gift card code to redeem for the gift card you want, with 40+ options to choose from - including the One4all Gift Card. T&Cs apply.

Build smart money habits that could support you in the future,

Stay in control with in app features to help your money go further,

Earn 1.60% AER, 1.59% Gross p.a. (variable) interest on balances. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.

Parents and carers can still be part of the journey while you take the lead.

Information Message

You’re in control

Freeze your card, replace it or check your PIN anytime in the app.

Stay in the know

Get instant notifications when money goes in or out. 

Control which updates you receive through your app.

Backed by security

Secure login, fraud protection and support if something doesn’t look right.

Get ready to apply

Please take your time to read the product information and make sure this Adapt account is right for you.

Before you apply for our under 18 bank account, we need to check you’re happy with a few things, and ask a few questions up front. Then we can make your application as quick and simple as it can be.

First things first. You can apply if you:

  • are aged 16 or 17 and a UK resident

Now please take a look at the important legal info:

Open an Adapt account and get a £20 gift card. See the Terms and Conditions below to learn more.

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary before you continue with your application.

As part of the checks that we will complete to verify your identity, we’ll take an image of your face so that it can be compared with your photo ID and this biometric data is captured.

All okay? Apply for your Adapt account today

You're almost there. We'll ask a few quick questions to get your application started.

Please note:

  • You'll need photo ID and proof of address. Don't have these? A parent or guardian can help you apply.
  • If your parent or guardian is opening another Adapt account, wait until it's open before applying.
Do you have any Photo ID?
Your ID needs to be in date and have your name on it

or

Do you have a proof of address?
It must show your name and address. We can’t accept mobile phone bills or downloaded copies of letters.

or

Great, let’s get you started

Your application will be completely online, as part of our checks we’ll ask our partner Mitek to confirm your identity using:

  • Photo ID
    This can be your Passport, a UK Driving Licence (full or provisional), or an ID card or driving licence from an EU or EEA country.
  • A Liveness check
    A selfie to compare to your Photo ID. You'll need a device with a camera to upload these.
  • Proof of your address
    We may need to check your address is right, you can find out which proofs of address we accept (opens in new tab)
Does your parent or guardian have an account with us?
Does your parent or guardian have our mobile app?

Great, let’s get you started

We'll ask your parent/guardian to log in to their mobile banking app. They just need to confirm their details and then it's over to you to complete the application. 

Once you’re done, we’ll ask our partners Mitek to do a quick ID check on you.

You’ll need:

  • A Photo ID
    This can be a Passport,  Driving Licence (full or provisional), PASS card, or an ID card from an EU or EEA country.
  • A liveness check
    We’ll ask you to take a selfie to compare you to your Photo ID. You'll need a device with a camera to upload these.

We may also ask for:

 

Parents or Guardian

We'll ask you to log in to your app and confirm your identity before we launch the application. Check that you've logged out of the app before handing the device back to your child.

Apply using a mobile or tablet

Scan the QR code on the device that your parent or guardian has their app on. You’ll then be able to apply in a flash.

You need our app to continue

Your parent/guardian will need to download and set up the app. It won’t take long to do.

They’ll just need their:

  • Online Banking PIN and password
  • Mobile phone so we can send a one-time passcode

You must prove your identity and address

Sorry, you can't apply for an account because we need you to prove your identity and address

No worries if you can't do this. You can apply with a parent/guardian if they have a NatWest current account. 

If they don't have one yet, follow the link below to show them our current account range. 

Once they've applied, got their welcome email and their Online Banking details, come back here to continue your account application. Simple!

Eligibility criteria & conditions apply. 

Does your parent or guardian have an account with us?
Do you have a UK birth or adoption certificate?
We can use this to identify you.
Does your parent or guardian have our mobile app?

Great, let’s get you started

We'll ask your parent or guardian to log in to their mobile banking app. They just need to confirm their details and then it's over to you to complete the application. 

Once you're done, we’ll ask your parent or guardian to either pop into a branch or post us the following info:


Parents or Guardian

We'll ask you to log in to your app and confirm your identity before we launch the application. Check that you've logged out of the app before handing the device back to your child.

Apply using a mobile or tablet

Scan the QR code on the device that your parent or guardian has their app on. You’ll then be able to apply in a flash.

You need our app to continue

Your parent/guardian will need to download and set up the app. It won’t take long to do.

They’ll just need their:

  • Online Banking PIN and password
  • Mobile phone so we can send a one-time passcode

You need ID to open your account online

If you don’t have a Photo ID, we’ll need to see your birth or adoption certificate. You can get a copy of your certificate from:

  • England and Wales:
    The General Register Office
  • Scotland: 
    The National Records of Scotland
  • Northern Ireland:
    The General Register Office for Northern Ireland

You must prove your identity and address

Sorry, you can't apply for an account because we need you to prove your identity and address

No worries if you can't do this. You can apply with a parent/guardian if they have a NatWest current account. 

If they don't have one yet, follow the link below to show them our current account range. 

Once they've applied, got their welcome email and their Online Banking details, come back here to continue your account application. Simple!

Eligibility criteria & conditions apply. 

What happens when I turn 18?

Turning 18 brings new opportunities and more financial responsibility. With Adapt, you’re guided through what happens next, with clear options that fit your plans. Designed to support a smooth transition into adulthood.

Information Message

Specific account eligibility criteria apply. Limits, fees and charges may apply.

Turning 18?

Before you turn 18, we'll get in touch with everything you need to know about moving to a Select Account.

Your account will switch automatically during your birthday week, with no monthly fee. Plus, all your account details and money stay exactly the same.

Going to uni?

You can apply for our student account from age 17, with no monthly fee. Enjoy offers exclusive to student account customers, including a 4-year tastecard.

We'll automatically switch you to a graduate account when you finish your studies.

 Offer T&Cs apply. 

Ready to save?

As you move into adulthood, your current account will stop earning interest.

If you're thinking about your next goal, our savings accounts can help with features like Savings Goals and Round-ups.

FAQs for opening a teen bank account