Gold investing for children

How to add physical bullion to a child's nest egg

Many parents and grandparents investing for their children and grandchildren's future choose to include gold, silver, platinum or palladium in their nest eggs.
 
Using BullionVault, you can do this at very low cost, with maximum security and full control. You will find all fees and charges explained here on our Tariff Help Page. 
 
A little work is needed to set up the account. This validation process ensures safe transfer of money into and out of the account. It also makes sure that ownership is clearly established, so that your child can enjoy the full value of their gold, silver, platinum or palladium when they come of age.
 

How to open your child's account

 
There are two ways to run a children's gold account:
 
1. Open an account in the child's name only
You will manage it for the child until s/he is old enough to take charge.
 
To do this, the BullionVault account must be validated using:
  • a bank statement for a bank account held in the name of the child, showing their registered address;
  • the child's photo I.D. document (eg, passport, or a combination of birth certificate and other documents).
As the adult in charge of the account, you must also provide an I.D. document and proof of address and a declaration that you are authorised to operate the account on behalf of the child.
 
All deposits must be made from the child's bank account. Withdrawals will be sent back to the same bank acount.
 
2. Open a joint account with the child
You can manage the account for them now and also after the child turns 18.
 
The two holders will be able to carry out transactions without co-signature.
 
To validate this account, you will need:
  • a statement from a joint bank account held by you and the child to show your residential address;
  • separate I.D. documents for each of the joint owners.
All incoming and outgoing transfers will only be made between the BullionVault account and this joint bank account.
 
Whichever route you choose, it's important to understand that the person(s) owning the bank account from where funds are sent will be the same person(s) owning the BullionVault account. You must notify us of any changes to the status of that bank account, so that full legal title to the precious metals held for the child is properly maintained.
 
To answer any questions you may have, BullionVault's Customer Support Team are on hand by email, live chat online, or by telephone from 9am to 8:30pm (UK), 4am to 3:30pm (EST), Monday to Friday.
 
Once the BullionVault account is validated, you will be ready to transfer funds and buy physical precious metals for your child. Every gram is securely stored and insured inside specialist bullion vaults in your choice of 5 global locations including London, Singapore and Zurich.
 
For buying gold, you can also automate the process by setting up a standing order and then switching on the Regular Gold Investment Plan in the account's settings.
 

Gold investment on behalf of children FAQs

While different countries have different rules on how old you must be to trade shares or own real estate, it's usually legal for to invest in gold from any age, whether as coins, bars, jewellery or – for better security and lower costs – as physical gold bullion held and insured inside specialist vaults.

Using BullionVault, children under 18 can open an account to buy gold, silver, platinum or palladium, so long as their legal guardian also provides I.D. documentation and helps manage things until the child is old enough to take control.

Yes, you can buy gold for a child as coins, bars, jewellery or – for security and lower costs – in the form of physical gold bullion held and insured inside specialist vaults.

When opening a gold account for a child, it's important to ensure that the account holder is clearly identified. This way, the child will be able to enjoy the full value of the gold you buy for them when they come of age.

While different countries have different rules on whether minors can trade shares or own real estate, it's usually legal for a child to invest in gold, whether as coins, bars, jewellery or – for better security and lower costs – as physical gold bullion held and insured inside specialist vaults.

When opening a gold account for a child, it's important to ensure that the account holder is clearly identified. This way, the child will be able to enjoy the full value of the gold you buy for them when they come of age.

Gold tends to do well when other investments do poorly. So buying gold for a grandchild can be a good idea for helping reduce risk as part of a wider spread of long-term investments which you make for them.

Some analysts and advisors think investing in gold is a bad idea because it doesn't pay any income or interest. But gold bullion is more widely seen as a good alternative investment, hedging against risk, as part of a balanced portfolio.

You can give gold to friends or family, including your godchild if you wish, in the form of coins, small bars or – for better security and lower costs – as physical investment bullion held and insured in specialist vaults.

Before investing in gold for your godson or goddaughter it's a good idea to check with their legal guardian about how best to do it. Opening a child's account to invest in gold using BullionVault, for instance, requires the child to have a bank account, perhaps owned jointly with their parents.

You can give gold to friends or family as coins, small bars or – for better security and lower costs – as bullion held and insured in specialist vaults. Be sure to check tax thresholds and allowances, because giving gold bullion, cash or any other asset as a gift must be done within the rules.