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Our Child bank account
Adapt bank account

 

Open a kids' & teen bank account

This account is available to 11-17 year olds who are UK residents. 11-15s must apply with a parent or guardian who has a NatWest current account.

Features parents and guardians will love

  • No monthly account fees.
  • Earn 2.50% AER, 2.47% Gross p.a. (variable) interest on balances. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.
  • There’s no overdraft available on our child and teen bank account. 
  • Get peace of mind, with protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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Features teens will love

  • Pay your mates via the mobile app (ages 16+).
  • Freeze and unfreeze your debit card in the app.
  • Pay from your phone with Apple Pay and Google Pay™ (ages 13+).
  • Earn interest when adding cash to this bank account for teens and kids.
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Make banking simple with our mobile app

With our Adapt account, kids and teens can use the same app features as adults. As a parent, you can’t remotely access or control the account. But you could set spending limits for kids aged 15 and under. Want an account with more parental controls? Take a look at our Rooster account. Here are some handy ways to manage your Adapt account via our mobile app.

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App available to customers aged 11+ with a compatible iOS and Android device and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

View your under 18 bank account on the go

Check your accounts, balances and recent transactions (things you’ve spent money on). And transfer money between your own accounts.

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Get cash without your debit card

Take out up to £130 every 24 hours from our branded cash machines, so long as it’s within your daily withdrawal limit. You must have at least £10 available in your account. And your kids debit card must be active.

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Freeze and unfreeze your kids' debit card

Our teen and child bank account comes with a debit card. If you misplace your debit card, you can lock it until you find it. Card lost, stolen or damaged? The quickest way to report this is with our app.

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Pay in cheques securely

Use your camera to deposit cheques 24/7 via our mobile app. This feature lets you pay in up to £750 to our child and teen bank account each day. It’s simple, secure and saves you a trip to the branch. Limits apply.

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Payments and interest

Ways to pay

Contactless debit card

Buy things in shops and online with a teen and kids bank card. You can take money out of a cash machine too.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Pay for things easily using your phone when you're out and about.

Make regular payments

Set up Direct Debits and standing orders to pay regular bills, like a gym membership.

Interest

Earn interest on your balance

You’ll earn interest on everything you pay into our bank account for teens and kids.

How to open a bank account for a child or teen

Parent or guardian? You can only open a child or teen account if you already bank with us. If you’re a teen aged 16-17, you can open the account yourself. Take a look at these guides for parents/guardians who are existing customers, new parent/guardian customers and teens.

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To apply for a current account, parents or guardians must be 18+ and UK resident.

Parent/guardian: existing NatWest customer

  1. You can apply online for an under 18 bank account or do so in branch. To open in branch, bring your own device, like a mobile or tablet. Our staff can then assist you in opening the account yourself.
  2. Provide proof of ID (like a passport), plus proof of your current address for yourself and the child or teen you’re opening the account for.
  3. Once you’ve applied for our bank account for teens and kids, you’ll get an instant decision. However, if we need more details from you, it can take around 5 working days for the account to be up and running.
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Parent/guardian: new NatWest customer

  1. To open a child’s bank account as a parent or guardian, you’ll need to have an existing bank account with us. If you don’t already, you can review our accounts and apply here.
  2. Once your NatWest account is open, you’ll need to complete an online application with both sets of details, while providing proof of ID for both you and your child.

Looking for a pre-paid debit card option instead? Take a look at our NatWest Rooster Money card. For kids aged 6-17. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Fees may apply depending on card selection.

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Teen aged 16-17: how to open the account yourself

  1. If you’re 16-17, you can apply for your own teen bank account. However, if you can’t provide proof of identity, you’ll need to apply with a parent or guardian who has a NatWest current account.
  2. We’ll need your ID (and your parent’s ID if you don’t have one), and for you to complete an online application. You’ll have to include both sets of details if you don’t have your own proof of ID.

When it comes to bank accounts for 11 to 15-year-olds, your parent or guardian must have or open an account with us to get one for you.

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Get ready to apply

Before you apply for our Adapt 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 11 - 17 and a UK resident

Now please take a look at the important legal info:

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

We'll ask you a couple of questions to get you started.
It'll only take a minute.

Note: If your parent or guardian is opening another Adapt account, you won’t be able to apply until that account is opened.

How old are you?
Does your parent or guardian have an account with us?
Do you have any Photo ID?
This is your Photo ID and not your parent or guardian's. It must be in date.

or

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
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

Your parent/guardian must have a NatWest current account

Oops, we can't go on with your application just yet because we need your parent or guardian to have an account with us. Fancy having them join NatWest? They can check out our account options below. 

After they've opened their account and got their Online Banking sorted, just pop back here to finish off your Adapt account application. 

Eligibility conditions & criteria apply.

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 address and identity

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 address and identity

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. 

Frequently asked questions

How do children’s bank accounts work?

Our Adapt current account is for children and teens aged 11 to 17 years old. It comes with a contactless debit card for all ages. Those aged 13+ can use Google/Apple Pay. 16+ aged teens can also use the mobile app independently.

Child under 11? Our Rooster Money app and pre-paid debit card might be a good option.

Why teach your kids about money?

  • Teach them how to budget their pocket money and ways to earn money.
  • Show them how cashless payments work from a young age.
  • Reduce the risk of banknotes and coins getting lost.
  • Break down financial jargon in a real setting. E.g. PIN, sort code.
  • Talk about the benefits of saving and interest.

Open a child's bank account online – FAQs

Parents: prefer a pocket money app managed by you?

NatWest Rooster Money comes with a prepaid kid's debit card option from age 6.

  • Monitor your kid's spending with limits and alerts.
  • Create custom pots for saving money.
  • Free Rooster card subscription: for NatWest customers with kids aged 6-17.

T&Cs apply (PDF, 100 KB). Eligibility criteria apply. Card offer includes up to three cards, other fees may apply. Fees apply for non NatWest personal customers.

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Other ways we could help

NatWest Thrive

Let’s make your kids’ dreams come true. NatWest Thrive with Marcus Rashford is a movement to help young people develop the self-belief, confidence and skills to achieve what they want.

Rooster Run

Try out our digital game, Rooster Run and discover the world of NatWest Rooster Money. 

Invest for the future

If you’re looking to invest money for your kid’s future, a Junior ISA could be a good option. Money is invested which means it could grow more than in a normal bank account. The value of investments can go down as well as up, your capital is at risk. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.