Can I purchase State Savings Products including Prize Bonds for a Minor (under 18)?

Yes, State Savings Products including Prize Bonds can be purchased in the name of a Minor (aged under 18).

To purchase any State Savings product, the minor must first register as a State Savings Customer using the New Customer Application Form. This form can be downloaded or collected from your local Post Office.
 
In the case where the new customer is a Minor, a nominated parent/guardian must sign the declaration on the New Customer Application Form on behalf of the Minor.

In addition to the New Customer Application Form the following supporting documentation is required:

Required for the minor:

  • Proof of Name

  • Proof of Address - the proof of address may be in the name of the Parent/Legal Guardian and it must match the address supplied on the New Customer Application Form

  • Proof of PPSN

Required for the nominated parent/legal guardian (when intending to purchase National Solidarity Bonds, Savings Certificates, Savings Bonds and Instalment Savings):

  • Proof of Name

  • Proof of Address

  • Proof of Parenthood /Legal Guardianship. This may include a Birth Certificate, Court Order, Adoption Certificate/Adoption Order or a Guardianship Arrangement which has been given legal effect by the District Court

For more information on proof of identity documents see 'What documentation is required when purchasing a State Savings Product?'

Once the New Customer Application is fully processed a State Savings Customer Number (SSCN) will be issued and State Savings products can be purchased in the name of the Minor at the Post Office or alternatively contact us for a Product application form.

Please note, Minors (under 18) may not purchase State Savings Products online.

Prize Bond Gift purchase in the name of a Minor (under 18).

Prize Bonds can be purchased as a gift in the name(s) of a Minor (under 18).

For gift purchases valued €100 or less, the name and address details for both the recipient and the purchaser are required. Only the signature of the purchaser is required.

For a gift purchase in excess of €100, proof of name, address and PPSN are required, if not already provided, for the purchaser and the recipient. The signatures of the purchaser and the nominated Parent/Guardian if the recipient is a Minor are also required.

Where a gift recipient’s overall holding in Prize Bonds exceeds €1,000, the Prize Bond Company will write to the gift recipient asking them to provide additional information and proof of identity documents prior to the Prize Bond numbers allocated (if not previously provided).

Can someone other than a Parent/Legal Guardian purchase State Savings products for a Minor?

Yes, however the Parent/Legal Guardian must sign the consent declaration on the application form. Minors over 7 years of age will be required to sign any subsequent documentation, such as Repayment Forms.

Can I open a Post Office Savings Bank Account for a Minor (under 18)?

Yes, an individual may open an account for a Minor. However, the Parent/Legal Guardian of the Minor must sign the Consent Declaration Panel on the Application Form.

What is required for a Minor (under 18) to open a Post Office Savings Bank Account?

An application to open a Post Office Savings Bank Account for a Minor can be made where the nominated Parent/Legal Guardian of the Minor has signed the Declaration Panel on the Application Form and provided proof of parenthood/legal guardianship. Proof of parenthood provided can be the child's Birth Certificate, a Court Order, Adoption Certificate or Adoption Order or Guardianship Arrangements which has been given a legal effect by the District Court (or other relevant documentary evidence).

Where not previously provided, proof of name, address and PPSN for the Minor is also required. The proof of address may be in the name of the Parent/Legal Guardian but it must match the address supplied for the Minor on the Application Form.

Can a child withdraw money from a Post Office Savings Bank Account without parent or legal guardian?

Once a Minor is 7 years of age they may operate the account totally independently of the Parent/Guardian.

In the case of an account opened for a child under 7 the Parent/Legal Guardian must initiate a withdrawal instruction through State Savings, GPO, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2.