If you’re wondering “How old do you have to be to have PayPal?” the answer is 18 years old.
So, if you’re looking to open an account for someone under the age of 18, you may want to consider one of the available alternatives instead.
In this article, we’ll share possible alternatives and explain why you have to be 18 to open a PayPal account below.
Alternatively, if you are from outside the United States and would like to create a US PayPal account, you can use our free PayPal guide to start now.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- How Old Do You Have to Be to Have PayPal?
- PayPal Personal Account
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Open Accounts With Banks in the USA?
How Old Do You Have to Be to Have PayPal?
You have to be 18 years old to have PayPal. This is clearly stated in PayPal’s terms and conditions. This age limit is due to the contractual relationship that a user enters when agreeing to the terms and conditions of the account, which requires an individual to be the age of majority.
PayPal Age Requirements
PayPal age requirements are enforced by PayPal’s User Agreement. This is a legally binding agreement all users are required to complete during the account opening process. In order for this document to be considered valid, the individual opening the account must be of “legal age”. This means the individual must be the age of majority or 18 years old in the United States.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for information on the different types of PayPal accounts, specifically how to change PayPal from business to personal, you’re in luck. We share the requirements for changing accounts at the link above.
Alternative Account Opening Options
If you are looking to open an account for a young person with a financial institution there are many options available. In fact, many major financial institutions offer accounts for the children of existing account holders.
Many bank accounts for young people are designed with age-appropriate features, safeguards, and parental access. This allows the parents to monitor account activity. But also, provide appropriate guidance on how the young person can manage their finances.
If you would like assistance navigating the account opening options for young people, including the identity requirements, and understanding why an SSN may be required for PayPal or a bank account, you can sign up for our newsletter or learn more about GlobalBanks USA below.
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PayPal Personal Account
A PayPal personal account is intended to be used for sending and receiving money. In other words, PayPal and similar financial technology companies are not suitable alternatives for traditional bank accounts when it comes to storing value long-term.
With this in mind, we suggest that most people consider pairing PayPal and other transfer services with suitable bank accounts. This combination ensures that transfers are fast and cost-effective, while also accessing greater security through strong banks.
That said, there are many alternatives to PayPal that may be worth considering. In most cases, these alternatives offer lower-cost transfers, faster transaction times, and better foreign exchange rates. Additionally, most of them have more responsive customer support and easier-to-use online interfaces.
If you want to explore the alternatives available to you, you can learn more about GlobalBanks IQ and how it can help at the end of the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people wondering if they are eligible for a PayPal account. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Can a 14-Year-Old Have PayPal?
A 14-year-old cannot have PayPal. PayPal requires account holders to be at least 18 years of age, which is the age of the majority. This relates to entering a contractual relationship. But also, agreeing to the terms and conditions of the account during the account opening process.
Is PayPal OK For Under 18?
PayPal is not ok for those under 18. Instead, there are other financial accounts that individuals under the age of 18 can open. For example, many major financial institutions offer student accounts, young savings accounts, and options for the children of existing account holders. These accounts are suitable for those under 18.
What Happens If You Make a PayPal Account Under 18?
If you make a PayPal account under 18 the account will be in violation of the terms and conditions of the account. As a result, the account will not be approved. If the account is opened with fake information, the account is frozen and closed after the identity and age are validated using government-issued identification.
Ready to Open Accounts With Banks in the USA?
If so, you can get access to GlobalBanks USA (our dedicated US banking service) in just a few clicks.
GlobalBanks USA is a 100% personal account opening solution. It provides direct access to our team of US banking experts.
When you join, you receive…
+ Expert suggestions on where to open US bank accounts.
+ Step-by-step support to navigate opening US bank accounts.
+ Direct introductions to helpful and responsive bankers.
+ Plus, detailed guides to maximizing the value you get from your new US bank account.
And “yes!” GlobalBanks USA helps foreigners and non-resident individuals open bank accounts.
In fact, GlobalBanks USA even helps non-resident US LLCs and foreign & offshore entities.
To learn more about GlobalBanks USA, visit the product page to see how our team can help you successfully open US bank accounts!
