What is the minimum age to buy stocks?

The minimum age to buy stocks independently is the age of majority, which is between 18 and 21, depending on the state, according to The Motley Fool. However, a minor can open a "custodial account" with a parent who authorizes the minor's participation.

On a custodial stock account, a minor is able to enter buy and sell transactions on stocks in the same way as an adult trader. An informal alternative is for a minor to simply pay cash to a parent who places trades on an account, according to The Motley Fool. With this approach, the key is to record share ownership and to account for price gains or losses.