You can get a credit card at 18, but the rules change based on your income and whether you have a co-signer

The legal minimum age to hold a credit card in your own name is 18. At that age, you can walk into a bank, explore online, or visit a credit card issuer's website and open an account without anyone else's permission. However, "can get" and "will be approved for" are different things. Most card issuers also require proof of income — either from a job, student loans, or other sources — before they'll issue you a card. If you're 18 but have no income history, you may be turned down even though you're old enough.

If you're under 18, you have one path: a co-signer. A parent or guardian can co-sign a credit card process, which means they become legally responsible for the debt if you don't pay. The card still goes in your name, and the payments you make still build your credit history. The co-signer doesn't have to be on the card itself — they're just vouching for you to the issuer. Once you turn 18 and have your own income, you can explore for cards without a co-signer.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name, and most issuers will also ask for proof of income.
  • If you're under 18, a parent or guardian can co-sign your process, making them responsible for the debt while the card builds your credit history.
  • The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009 set the 18-year minimum and restricted how issuers market to young people.
  • Building credit early — whether through a co-signed card, a secured card, or becoming an authorized user — gives you better rates and approval odds later.
  • Income requirements vary by issuer; some accept student income or financial aid, while others require employment income or a minimum dollar amount.

Why issuers ask for income even if you're old enough

Age 18 is the legal threshold, but it's not the only gate. The CARD Act of 2009 requires issuers to verify that you have a "reasonable ability to pay" before they issue you a card. That's the legal language for what most people call an income check. An issuer wants to know you can actually pay the bill, not just that you've reached your birthday.

What counts as income varies. Some issuers accept W-2 wages from a job. Others accept student loan disbursements, work-study income, or even allowance if it's documented. A few will count investment income or income from a side business. The issuer's website or the process itself usually lists what they accept. If you explore and are denied for insufficient income, you can reapply once your income situation changes — there's no permanent mark against you for a denial based on income alone.

Co-signing: how it works and what it means

A co-signer is a person — usually a parent — who signs the credit card process alongside you. They're saying to the issuer: "If this person doesn't pay, I will." The co-signer's income and credit history are part of the issuer's decision, which is why having a co-signer with good credit and steady income makes approval much more likely, even if you have no income at all.

The co-signer's name does not appear on the card itself. You get the physical card, you make the purchases, and you receive the bills. But the co-signer is legally liable for the full balance if you don't pay. The payments you make show up on your credit report, building your credit history. The missed payments or high balances also show up on your credit report — and on the co-signer's, which is why a co-signer takes real risk.

Once you turn 18 and have income, you can explore for your own card without a co-signer. Some issuers will let you remove the co-signer from an existing card once you've built a good payment history, though policies vary. Check with your issuer about their co-signer removal process if that's your goal.

Authorized users versus card holders: what the difference means for your credit

An authorized user is different from a co-signer or a primary card holder. When you're an authorized user on someone else's card — often a parent's — the issuer gives you a card with your name on it, but you're not legally responsible for the bill. The primary card holder is. You can make purchases, but the account owner pays the bill.

Being an authorized user can help you build credit, because the account's payment history and balance typically show up on your credit report. If the primary card holder pays on time and keeps the balance low, your credit score benefits. If they miss payments or run up a high balance, your score suffers too. This is why some parents add their teenagers as authorized users on a card with a good payment history — it's a way to start building credit before age 18.

However, not all issuers report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus, so check before you rely on this strategy. And being an authorized user doesn't give you the same learning experience as having your own card, since you're not the one managing the bill or making payment decisions.

Secured cards: building credit when you're young or new to credit

A secured credit card is one way to get approved at 18 even if you have no income history or credit history. With a secured card, you put down a cash deposit — usually $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, make monthly payments, and the issuer reports your activity to the credit bureaus.

Secured cards have higher interest rates and annual fees than standard cards, and the deposit ties up your money. But they're designed specifically for people building credit from scratch. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. Some people use a secured card as a stepping stone to a better card once their credit score improves.

What happens to your credit history before age 18

If you're under 18 and not on anyone's credit card account, you probably don't have a credit history yet. Credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — only create a file for you once you have a credit account in your name. That account could be a co-signed card, a secured card, or an authorized user account (if the issuer reports it).

Starting your credit history early matters because credit scores are built on time. A person who's been paying bills on time for five years will have a higher score than someone who's been doing it for one year, all else equal. If you can open a card at 18 with a clean payment record, you'll have a head start when you explore for a car loan, apartment lease, or mortgage later.

Income requirements and what issuers actually check

Most issuers don't have a published minimum income amount — they evaluate each process individually. However, some do publish thresholds. A few issuers state they want to see at least $15,000 to $25,000 in annual income, though this varies widely and some cards have no stated minimum.

When you explore, the issuer typically verifies your income by asking you to report it on the process. They may ask for documentation like a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement. Some issuers verify income through third-party services. If you're a student with no job, you might list student loan disbursements or a parent's income if you live with them and they support you — but check the specific issuer's rules first, because they vary.

If you're denied for insufficient income, you have options: reapply once your income increases, explore for a secured card instead, or ask a parent to co-sign. There's no penalty for being denied based on income alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card at 17 if my parents co-sign?

No. The CARD Act set 18 as the legal minimum age, and co-signing doesn't change that. You must be 18 to open a credit card account, even with a co-signer. However, you can become an authorized user on a parent's card at any age, which lets you build credit before you turn 18.

What if I'm 18 but a student with no job income?

Some issuers accept student loan disbursements or financial aid as income. Others will approve you if a parent co-signs. A third option is a secured card, which requires a cash deposit but doesn't require employment income. Check the issuer's website to see what income types they accept before you explore.

Does being an authorized user on my parent's card hurt their credit?

No. Being an authorized user doesn't hurt the primary card holder's credit. However, if the account has a high balance or missed payments, those negative marks show up on both your credit report and theirs. If the account is in good standing, it helps both of you.

Can I remove a co-signer after I build credit?

Some issuers allow you to remove a co-signer after a period of on-time payments, but policies vary. Contact your issuer to ask about their co-signer removal process. You may need to reapply for the card in your name alone, or the issuer may have a form to remove the co-signer from the existing account.

What's the difference between a credit card and a debit card for building credit?

A debit card draws from money you already have in a bank account and doesn't build credit history. A credit card is a loan you repay monthly, and your payment history is reported to credit bureaus. Only credit cards build your credit score. Debit cards are useful for managing spending, but they won't help you establish credit.