You must be at least 18 years old to open a credit card in your own name
Federal law sets 18 as the minimum age to enter a binding credit contract. Before that age, you cannot hold a card issued to you alone, even if you have a job and income. This rule applies across all card issuers — banks, credit unions, and fintech companies.
If you are under 18 and want to build credit history, you have two real options: become an authorized user on someone else's card, or open a secured card once you turn 18. Each path has different costs and different effects on your credit report.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to open a credit card in your own name, but you can be added as an authorized user at any age.
- Authorized user accounts may report to your credit report if the primary cardholder's issuer reports them, building your credit history before you turn 18.
- Once you turn 18, a secured card (which requires a cash deposit) is often the fastest way to start your own credit history if you have no prior accounts.
- Some issuers allow 18-year-olds to open accounts without a co-signer, while others require proof of independent income or may ask for a co-signer anyway.
- Your first card's credit limit will typically be low — often $300 to $500 — because you have no credit history yet.
How authorized user accounts work before age 18
An authorized user is someone added to an existing cardholder's account. You receive a card with your name on it and can make purchases, but the primary cardholder is legally responsible for all charges. The primary cardholder's bank or credit union decides whether to report authorized users to the credit bureaus.
If the issuer does report you, your credit report will show that account's payment history, credit limit, and balance. This means on-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments hurt it — even though you are not the one being billed. Ask the primary cardholder to check with their issuer before adding you, because not all issuers report authorized users to the bureaus. Discover, for example, does report most authorized users; American Express does not.
Being an authorized user costs you nothing and requires no income or credit check. The primary cardholder controls whether to remove you, and they see all charges you make. This arrangement works best when the primary cardholder is someone you trust and who pays on time consistently.
What changes when you turn 18
At 18, you can explore for a credit card in your own name. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income (if any), and current address. Some issuers will approve you with just a job or student status; others may require a co-signer, usually a parent, who becomes legally responsible if you do not pay.
If you have been an authorized user on a card that reports to the bureaus, that history follows you. A card issuer can see your payment record and may approve you with a higher limit or better terms than someone with no history at all. If you have no credit history, expect a limit between $300 and $500 on your first card.
At 18, you also become legally responsible for any debt you carry. Missed payments go on your credit report for seven years and lower your credit score. This is why your first card should be one you can afford to pay in full each month, or one with a low enough limit that you can manage the balance.
Secured cards as a first card at 18
A secured card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by the issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. You use the card like any other, and the issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
Secured cards exist because they let issuers take less risk. You cannot spend more than your deposit, so the issuer's loss is capped. This makes secured cards one of the easiest products to open at 18 with no credit history. The trade-off is an annual fee, usually $25 to $95, and a higher interest rate than unsecured cards carry.
Secured cards work best if you plan to use the card monthly and pay the full balance. If you carry a balance, the high interest rate will cost you money. If you open the card and never use it, you are paying an annual fee for no benefit.
Why issuers ask for a co-signer at 18
Some card issuers require a co-signer for applicants under 21, even though 18 is the legal minimum age. A co-signer is usually a parent or guardian who agrees to pay your debt if you do not. The co-signer's credit is checked, and their income may be counted toward your process.
Issuers use co-signers to reduce their risk. An 18-year-old with no credit history and no income is a riskier customer than a 25-year-old with a job and a credit history. A co-signer with good credit and stable income makes the issuer more confident they will be paid.
If you need a co-signer, ask a parent or trusted adult before you explore. They will see all your charges and payment history, and they are legally bound to pay if you miss a payment. This is a real obligation, not a formality.
Income requirements and student status at 18
Federal law does not set a minimum income to open a credit card at 18. However, issuers can and do ask for proof of income. Some accept a job offer letter, a pay stub, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. Others accept student status as sufficient, especially if you are at a four-year university.
If you have no income and are not a student, some issuers will still approve you, particularly for secured cards. Others will ask for a co-signer or deny your process. There is no single rule across all issuers, so if one declines you, another may approve you.
If you do have income — from a job, internship, or regular freelance work — include it on your process. Even modest income ($12,000 to $15,000 per year) strengthens your case and may result in a higher credit limit.
Building credit before you can open your own card
If you are under 18 and want to start building credit now, ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user on their card. Choose an account they pay on time every month, and make sure the issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus. You do not need to use the card — just being on the account helps.
Another option is to open a savings account and use it responsibly. Banks do not report savings account activity to credit bureaus, but they do notice when you overdraft or close accounts with a negative balance. A clean savings history shows financial stability, which can help when you explore for your first credit card at 18.
If your family uses a credit-builder loan through a credit union, you may be able to open one at a younger age. These loans work by having you deposit money into a savings account, then borrowing against it. The lender reports your payments to the bureaus, building your credit. Ask your credit union whether they offer this product and what their age requirement is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card before I turn 18?
No, you cannot open a card in your own name before 18. You can become an authorized user on someone else's card at any age, which may help build your credit if the issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus.
Do I need a job to open a credit card at 18?
No, but most issuers ask for proof of income. If you have no income, some will approve you for a secured card or ask for a co-signer. Student status at a four-year university sometimes counts as sufficient income on its own.
What is the difference between a secured card and a regular card?
A secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. A regular card does not. Secured cards charge higher fees and interest rates but are easier to open at 18 with no credit history. After months of on-time payments, many issuers convert your secured card to a regular card and return your deposit.
Will my authorized user account hurt my credit if the primary cardholder misses a payment?
Yes, if the issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus. Missed payments on that account will appear on your credit report and lower your score, even though you are not responsible for the debt. This is why you should only become an authorized user on an account you trust will be paid on time.
Can I use my parents' income to open a credit card at 18?
Not directly. Your own income is what issuers verify. However, if a parent co-signs your process, their income may be counted. A co-signer becomes legally responsible for your debt if you do not pay, so this is a serious commitment for them.