How Old Do You Have To Be To Open an E*TRADE Account?

What Is the Minimum Age to Open an E*TRADE Account: Key Points

• At E*TRADE, you generally must be at least 18 years old to open a standard account.

• There are special accounts for minors that can be opened with an adult's help.

• E*TRADE does not charge special annual fees or impose account minimums on its IRA for Minors account.

Because E*TRADE is owned by Morgan Stanley and operates in the United States, the standard age to open a bank or investment account is 18. For many domestic applications, you also need a valid U.S. address and a valid tax ID number.

Ways to Bypass the E*TRADE Age Requirement

E*TRADE’s age requirement applies to its standard securities and cash accounts. However, there are three types of investment accounts that can be opened for minors by an adult who is at least 18 years old. These accounts are:

- Coverdell Education Savings Account
- Minor IRA
- Custodial Account

For each of these accounts, an adult opens and manages the account for the benefit of a minor under 18. The assets in these accounts are intended for the minor’s benefit.

Although E*TRADE doesn’t offer 529 accounts, its parent company, Morgan Stanley, does. Unlike the other accounts mentioned, a 529 is usually controlled by the account owner, who names the beneficiary.

age requirement to open etrade account

Steps to Open an E*TRADE Account for a Minor

Opening a minor account at E*TRADE is straightforward. Visit the broker’s website and scroll to the bottom to find the link to all forms and applications under the Quick Links section. Ignore the purple button at the top if it only shows the most common accounts.

After selecting the correct link, you’ll see a new page showing the account applications available at E*TRADE. There you can find links for Custodial, Coverdell, and IRA for Minors accounts.

Each of these account pages has a Learn More link that provides more details on the account type. You can click on the link to open the account from either the account tile or the forms page. This will lead you to the application page.

The applications for the Minor IRA and Coverdell account can be submitted online or by PDF, and the Custodial account also has online and PDF application options. Provide the required information and double-check your entries.

You can also use E*TRADE’s mobile app to open any of the three accounts for minors. Tap the Menu icon in the bottom-right corner of the app and scroll down to find the link to open an account. You don’t need to log in to start an application.

For any of the three accounts opened through either method, you’ll need to provide information for both the custodian and the minor, such as tax ID numbers and birth dates.

Fees and Commissions on Minor Accounts

E*TRADE does not impose any special fees or commissions on its minor accounts. There are no annual IRA fees or account minimums for the IRA for Minors account, and many products now have commission-free trading. Additionally, there is no minimum funding requirement for brokerage accounts.

Charles Schwab as an Alternative

E*TRADE isn’t the only discount brokerage that offers accounts for children. Charles Schwab provides a custodial account, a custodial IRA, an Education Savings Account, and a 529 plan. You can open any of these accounts on Schwab’s website, and the custodial account can be opened online in just a few steps.

, locate the orange-brown button in the top-right corner to open an account. On the next page, find the link to view all accounts if you don’t see the one you want right away. Once you see the full list of account types, choose the one you need and begin the application process.

minimum age to open etrade account

Charles Schwab does not charge commissions on U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs traded online in its custodial account. Schwab also offers a custodial IRA for minors with earned income and a 529 plan for education savings.

Learn more about the .

Free Charles Schwab Account For a Child

Visit Schwab Website

Updated on 4/8/2026.

About the Author

Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.