What happens when you submit a Wells Fargo credit card request
When you request a Wells Fargo credit card, you fill out a form — either online, by phone, or in a branch — that asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details. Wells Fargo then checks your credit report and decides within minutes to a few days whether to issue you a card, deny the request, or offer you a different card than the one you asked for.
The entire process is free. You pay nothing to request a card, and you only pay a fee if you accept the card and use it — and only if that particular card carries an annual fee, which many Wells Fargo cards do not.
What you need before you start: a Social Security number, a current mailing address, and basic information about your income and employment. You do not need to be a Wells Fargo customer already, though existing customers can request a card through their online account.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a Wells Fargo credit card online at wellsfargo.com, by phone at 1-800-869-3557, or in person at any Wells Fargo branch.
- Wells Fargo will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to several business days.
- You need your Social Security number, current address, and basic income information to complete the request.
- Some Wells Fargo cards charge an annual fee and some do not — read the card details before you request to know what you are accepting.
- If you are denied, you can request a different Wells Fargo card, wait and request again later, or request a card from another bank.
Requesting online through Wells Fargo's website
Go to wellsfargo.com/credit-cards and choose the card you want from the list. Each card shows its rewards structure, annual fee (if any), and the interest rate range you might receive. Click the "Request Now" button on the card you choose.
You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Wells Fargo uses this to pull your credit report. The form also asks for your annual income — use your gross income before taxes — and whether you have been at your current job for more than two years.
After you submit, you will see a decision on screen or receive one by mail within a few business days. If you are approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to dispute the decision if you believe the information is wrong.
Requesting by phone or at a branch
Call 1-800-869-3557 to request a card over the phone. A Wells Fargo representative will walk you through the same questions — Social Security number, address, income, employment — and can answer questions about which card might work for your situation. The decision process is the same: you hear the result when ready or receive it by mail within a few days.
If you visit a Wells Fargo branch in person, a banker can show you the available cards, explain the differences, and submit your request on the spot. This is useful if you want to see the card details side by side or have questions about how rewards work.
Understanding the credit check and decision
Wells Fargo performs what is called a hard inquiry on your credit report when you request a card. This means the inquiry shows up on your credit report and can lower your credit score by a few points for a few months. Multiple requests within a short time (say, within two weeks) may count as a single inquiry, but requests spread over months count separately.
Wells Fargo looks at your credit score, payment history, how much debt you already carry, and your income to decide. If your score is very low, your payment history shows missed payments, or you carry high debt relative to your income, you may be denied. If you are approved but offered a different card than you requested — usually one with a lower credit limit or higher interest rate — that is because Wells Fargo sees you as higher risk for that particular card.
You do not have to accept a card you are offered. If Wells Fargo approves you for a different card than you wanted, you can decline and request the original card again later, or request a card from another bank.
What to do if you are denied
If Wells Fargo denies your request, the denial letter will say why — usually "credit score too low," "insufficient credit history," "too much existing debt," or "too many recent inquiries." You have the right to see your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com and check whether the information Wells Fargo saw is correct.
If there is an error on your report — a missed payment that was not yours, a debt listed twice, an old account still showing as open — you can dispute it with the credit bureau. Fixing errors can take weeks to months, but it may improve your score enough to request again.
If the denial is accurate, you can wait three to six months, work on paying down existing debt or raising your credit score, and request again. Some people request a different Wells Fargo card with lower requirements, or request a card from another bank that works with lower credit scores.
Annual fees and when you pay them
Some Wells Fargo cards charge an annual fee — typically $95 to $450 depending on the card — and some do not. The card details page shows whether there is a fee. You do not pay the fee when you request the card; you pay it only if you accept the card and it is issued to you. The fee usually appears on your first bill or on your account anniversary (one year after you receive the card).
If you receive a card with an annual fee and decide you do not want to pay it, you can call Wells Fargo and close the card before the fee posts. Some cards also waive the first-year fee if you spend a certain amount in the first few months — the card details will say if that applies.
After your card arrives
When your card arrives in the mail, sign the back and set up it. Wells Fargo will send set up instructions with the card, or you can set up online at wellsfargo.com or by calling the number on the back of the card. You can use the card when ready after set up.
Your first bill will arrive 20 to 25 days after your first purchase. You will have a grace period — usually 21 to 25 days from the end of your billing cycle — to pay the balance in full without interest. If you carry a balance past that date, interest charges begin at the rate shown on your card agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a decision on my request?
You usually see a decision on screen when ready if you request online, or within a few business days by mail. Some requests take longer if Wells Fargo needs more information from you. You can call 1-800-869-3557 to check the status of your request.
Can I request a Wells Fargo card if I have no credit history?
It is harder but possible. Wells Fargo has cards designed for people building credit for the first time, though you may be offered a secured card (one that requires a cash deposit) instead of an unsecured card. A secured card works like a regular card but holds your deposit as collateral.
What if I was denied and want to request again?
You can request again after three to six months, especially if you have paid down debt or fixed errors on your credit report. Requesting too soon after a denial — within weeks — is unlikely to change the outcome. You can also request a different Wells Fargo card with lower requirements.
Do I have to be a Wells Fargo customer to request a credit card?
No. You can request a Wells Fargo credit card whether or not you have a checking account, savings account, or other relationship with Wells Fargo. Existing customers can request through their online account, but new customers can request through the website or by phone.
What happens if I request multiple Wells Fargo cards at once?
Each request triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Requesting multiple cards within a short time can lower your score more than a single request and may signal to Wells Fargo that you are taking on too much debt. Space requests at least a few weeks apart if you plan to request more than one card.