Do You Need to Be 18 to Use Cash App?

Cash App is a widely used mobile payment service that facilitates money transfers, payments, and deposits. Understanding its age requirements is important. Cash App generally requires users to be at least 18 years old for an independent account, but offers provisions for individuals under that age to access certain features with proper authorization.

Understanding the Age Requirement

Cash App requires users to be 18 or older for an independent account, primarily due to legal considerations. Individuals must be of legal age to enter financial contracts and be held accountable for transactions and terms of service. Using the app without meeting this age requirement or proper authorization can lead to account limitations or suspension.

Setting Up a Cash App Account for Minors

Individuals aged 13 to 17 can use Cash App through a sponsored account, which requires approval and oversight from a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian must already possess a verified Cash App account to initiate this process. The sponsoring adult assumes legal ownership of the minor’s account, with the minor acting as an authorized user.

To set up a sponsored account, the minor typically downloads the Cash App and begins the sign-up process using their personal information. When prompted to request a Cash Card or send a payment, the app will ask for identity verification. At this stage, individuals aged 13 to 17 will be prompted to provide their parent or guardian’s email, phone number, or $cashtag. Cash App then contacts the adult to request approval for the minor’s account.

Upon receiving the request, the parent or guardian reviews the terms and conditions within their own Cash App account and grants approval. This approval establishes the sponsored account, allowing the minor to access certain features. The parent or guardian maintains the ability to monitor the minor’s activities, set spending limits, and deactivate the account or Cash Card at any time.

Features Available on Minor Accounts

Sponsored Cash App accounts for minors, aged 13 to 17, come with specific functionalities and limitations. Minors can send, receive, and request money, typically up to $1,000 within a 30-day period. They can also use a Cash Card for purchases, which functions as a Visa debit card linked to their Cash App balance.

While these accounts allow basic money management, several features remain restricted for minors. Investing in stocks or Bitcoin, accessing borrowing services, or utilizing check deposit features are generally unavailable. Direct deposit may be accessible, but not all teens are eligible.

Parental oversight is a fundamental aspect of sponsored accounts. The adult sponsor can view all transactions and activity, set spending limits, and control feature access.

Identity Verification for Full Access

Identity verification, often referred to as Know Your Customer (KYC), is a regulatory requirement for financial platforms like Cash App to confirm user identity. This process helps prevent financial crimes, such as fraud and money laundering. Full access to all Cash App features, even for adult users, typically requires identity verification.

For verification, Cash App usually requests a user’s full legal name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN). In some instances, a full SSN, residential address, or a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license or passport may be required.

For minors, basic usage is enabled through parental sponsorship. However, advanced features requiring comprehensive identity verification remain generally inaccessible until the user reaches 18 years of age and completes their own verification process.