If you’re wondering how to get your first debit card for the first time, it’s easier than it sounds. I got my first one in November 2021, and it showed up in the mail six days after I opened my account.
That was a Wells Fargo Platinum Debit Card, and it was my main debit card for almost four years. In 2025, I switched to a debit card that actually pays me back, and now I use my Wells Fargo card only to take out cash. In this guide, I’ll show you what a debit card is, how to get one step by step, and how to pick one that gives you cash back instead of charging you fees.
Table of Contents
What Is a Debit Card?
A debit card lets you spend money straight from your bank account. When you pay with it, the money comes out of your checking account right away. You’re spending money you already have, not borrowing it.
You can use a debit card to pay in stores, shop online, and take out cash at an ATM.
Debit Card vs Credit Card
The main difference is where the money comes from:
- Debit card: spends your own money from your checking account.
- Credit card: borrows money that you pay back later. If you don’t pay the full balance, you pay interest.
I use both, depending on what I’m buying. For gas, I pay with my PayPal Debit Card because it gives me 5% cash back, and none of my credit cards pay more than 2% on gas. For clothes and electronics, I use a credit card.
If you’re just getting started, a debit card is the simpler choice. You can’t spend more than you have, and there’s no bill to pay later.
Once you’re comfortable with a debit card, a credit card is the next step. Here’s how I got my first credit card with no credit history.
How to Get a Debit Card (Step by Step)
Step 1: Choose a bank. Pick a bank or credit union that has ATMs near you and either no monthly fee or one you can easily waive.
Step 2: Open a checking account. You can do this online or at a branch. I went to a Wells Fargo branch, and a banker walked me through everything, which helped since it was my first time.
Step 3: Sign the documents. Most of this was digital for me. The banker enrolled me in online banking, and I signed the rest in the Wells Fargo app.
Step 4: Set up online banking and the app. This is where you’ll check your balance, see transactions and get alerts.
Step 5: Wait for your card in the mail. Mine arrived six days after I opened the account.
Step 6: Activate your card and set your PIN. Once it’s activated, you can start using it.
What You Need to Open an Account
Requirements vary by bank, but you’ll usually need:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport
- Your Social Security number
- Your address
- Money for an opening deposit, if the bank requires one
If you’re under 18, most banks will ask for a parent or guardian to open the account with you.
How I Got My First Debit Card
I opened my first bank account at a Wells Fargo branch in November 2021. I was 19, and honestly, it wasn’t confusing at all, because the banker guided me through each step. I signed most of the documents digitally in the app, and my Platinum Debit Card arrived in the mail six days later. I opened a savings account the same day too, but I barely used it. Here’s why.
I used that card for everything I paid for with debit until May 2025. Now I only use it to take out cash at Wells Fargo ATMs.
What to Look for in a Debit Card
Monthly fees, and how to avoid them. My Wells Fargo checking account has a $15 monthly fee, but I’ve never paid it. Wells Fargo waives it if you have $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits each month, keep a $1,500 minimum daily balance, or are 17 to 24 years old. Transfers, mobile deposits and Zelle don’t count toward the $500, so check what qualifies before you count on it.
ATM access. Using another bank’s ATM usually costs you a fee. I only withdraw from Wells Fargo ATMs, so I never pay ATM fees.
Overdraft protection. An overdraft is when you spend more than you have in your account. Wells Fargo gives you a one-day grace period to cover it, and it notifies you in the app and by email, so you can fix it quickly before being charged.
Cash back. Most basic debit cards don’t pay you anything, but a cash back debit card does, and that’s where you can save real money.
Pick a Cash Back Debit Card That Pays You Back
In May 2025, I switched to the PayPal Debit Card as my main debit card. Each month you choose a category to earn 5% cash back on, and I always choose fuel. It has no monthly fee, and you don’t need a bank account to use it: it spends from your PayPal balance, which you can fund from a linked bank or from money you earn online.
I still use my Wells Fargo card to take out cash, but for everyday spending, a card that pays me back makes more sense. Here’s my full PayPal Debit Card review if you want the details.
Mistakes to Avoid With Your First Debit Card
Forgetting your PIN. This happened to me. After I switched to the PayPal Debit Card, I didn’t use my Wells Fargo card for months. When I finally went to take out cash, I couldn’t remember my PIN, and I had to reset it in the app while sitting in the bank parking lot. Save your PIN somewhere secure that you can check on your phone, like a password manager. Never write it on a note in your wallet.
Paying a monthly fee you could avoid. Check your bank’s rules for waiving the fee. Many banks, including Wells Fargo, waive it if you’re young or set up direct deposit.
Using out-of-network ATMs. Those fees add up fast. Use your own bank’s ATMs.
Ignoring alerts. Turn on balance and transaction alerts in your bank’s app so an overdraft never catches you off guard.
My Verdict: What Should Your First Debit Card Be?
Start with a checking account from a bank that has ATMs near you and either no monthly fee or one you can easily waive. Once you’re comfortable managing it, add a debit card that pays you back, like the PayPal Debit Card. You’re going to spend the money anyway, so you might as well earn something on it.
Once your checking account is set up, you can link it to a brokerage account and start investing. See how to open your first brokerage account.
FAQ
Can I get a debit card at 18?
Yes. At 18 you can open a checking account on your own and get a debit card. Under 18, you’ll usually need a parent or guardian on the account.
How long does it take to get a debit card?
Usually about a week. My Wells Fargo card arrived six days after I opened my account.
Can I get a debit card without a bank account?
Yes. Prepaid debit cards and cards like the PayPal Debit Card spend from a balance instead of a bank account.
Does a debit card build credit?
No. Debit card activity isn’t reported to the credit bureaus, so it doesn’t build your credit score.
Is it safe to use a debit card?
Yes, if you keep your PIN private, turn on alerts, and report a lost card right away. Most banks let you lock your card in their app.
This article is for informational purposes only and isn’t financial advice. Fees, waiver requirements and card rewards can change, so check the latest terms on the bank’s or card issuer’s website before you open an account.
