Yes, if you are under 18 years of age, you do need a parental signature to get a checking account. The only time this isn't the case is if you are a liberated child, meaning you don't have a guardian. If you are under 18 a parent must sign to be a joint owner of the bank account. Though it is a requirement, not all banks follow this. I opened a bank account by myself when I was 15, and withdraw money regularly without parental consent.