Minors cannot open a credit card in their own name, but they have two real paths to build credit before age 18
A minor — anyone under 18 — cannot sign a credit card contract on their own. Banks and card issuers require the account holder to be a legal adult. But that does not mean a teenager has to wait until their 18th birthday to start building a credit history. The two main routes are becoming an authorized user on a parent's card, or opening a secured credit card with a parent as a co-signer once they turn 16 or 17 (policies vary by bank).
The difference matters. An authorized user gets a card linked to someone else's account and builds credit from that account's payment history — but has no legal responsibility for the debt. A co-signer on a secured card is legally responsible if the minor does not pay, and the minor's own payment history starts building when ready. Both approaches work, but they carry different risks and different credit-building power.
Key Takeaways
- A minor cannot open a credit card alone; they need either a parent as an authorized user account holder or a co-signer for a secured card.
- Authorized user status builds credit without legal responsibility, but the minor's credit depends entirely on the parent's payment behavior.
- Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) and make the minor legally responsible for payments, but create an independent credit history.
- Most banks allow minors to become authorized users at any age, but secured card co-signing typically starts at age 16 or 17.
- A minor's credit score can reach 700+ by age 18 if they use either method consistently and the account holder pays on time every month.
How authorized user status works
When a parent adds a minor as an authorized user, the card issuer issues a card in the minor's name linked to the parent's account. The parent remains the account holder and is legally responsible for all charges. The minor can use the card to make purchases, but the parent receives the bill and makes the payment.
The credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — report the account to the minor's credit file. This means the minor's credit score starts building based on the account's payment history, credit utilization (how much of the limit is being used), and account age. If the parent pays on time every month and keeps the balance low, the minor's score rises even though they are not making the payments themselves.
The catch is that the minor's credit depends entirely on the parent's behavior. If the parent misses a payment or runs up a high balance, the minor's credit score drops too. The minor also has no legal obligation to pay if the account goes unpaid — the parent is solely responsible. This makes authorized user status a low-risk way to start building credit, but it does not teach the minor how to manage their own debt.
How secured cards with a co-signer work
A secured credit card requires the cardholder to deposit cash with the bank as collateral. The credit limit is usually equal to the deposit — so a $500 deposit gives a $500 limit. A parent can co-sign the card, meaning they promise to pay if the minor does not. The minor is the primary account holder and receives the bill.
The minor's own payment history is reported to the credit bureaus under their name. This creates an independent credit history separate from the parent's accounts. If the minor pays the bill on time every month, their credit score builds. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many banks will convert the secured card to a regular unsecured card and return the deposit.
The parent's role as co-signer means they are legally liable if the minor does not pay. This is a real financial risk for the parent, but it also means the minor has skin in the game — they know the parent is counting on them. Secured cards teach the minor how to manage their own account, make payments, and build credit in their own name.
Age requirements and which banks offer these options
Most major banks allow a minor of any age to become an authorized user. There is no legal minimum age — some banks add children as young as 5 or 6. The parent straightforward calls the bank or logs into their online account and requests to add an authorized user. The bank mails a card to the minor's address.
Secured cards have stricter age limits. Most banks require the co-signer to be 18 or older (which is standard), but the minor cardholder must usually be at least 16 or 17. Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank all offer secured cards with co-signers for teenagers in this age range. Some banks have no stated minimum age for the cardholder if a co-signer is present; calling the bank directly is the fastest way to confirm their specific policy.
A few banks offer cards designed specifically for minors without a co-signer — for example, some credit unions and online banks. These are rare and usually require the minor to have a job and income. Check with your own bank or credit union first; they may have a teen card product you have not heard of.
What documents and information you will need
To add a minor as an authorized user, the parent needs only their own account number and the minor's full name and date of birth. Most banks process this request online or by phone in minutes. A card arrives in the mail within 5 to 10 business days.
For a secured card with a co-signer, the process is longer. The bank will ask for the minor's Social Security number, date of birth, and address. The co-signer (parent) will need to provide their Social Security number, income information, and proof of identity — usually a driver's license or passport. Some banks ask for proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or lease. The bank may also run a credit check on the co-signer to assess risk.
The minor will need to sign the card agreement. If the minor is under 18, the parent usually signs as well to acknowledge their co-signer status. The bank then holds the cash deposit and issues the card, typically within 7 to 14 business days.
How credit scores build from each option
Credit scores are built from five factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). Both authorized user status and secured cards contribute to these factors, but in different ways.
As an authorized user, the minor benefits from the parent's payment history and the account's age. If the parent has been paying a card on time for 5 years, the minor's credit file when ready shows a 5-year-old account with perfect payment history. This can push a minor's score into the 700s or higher within months. The downside is that the minor is not building their own payment history — they are borrowing the parent's.
With a secured card, the minor's own payment history starts from zero. The first month of on-time payments counts toward their history. After 6 months of perfect payments, their score may reach 650 to 700. After 12 months, it can reach 700 to 750. The minor is building their own credit record, which matters when they turn 18 and explore for their first apartment, car loan, or unsecured card in their own name.
Risks and what can go wrong
The main risk of authorized user status is that the minor's credit can be damaged by the parent's mistakes. If the parent misses a payment, the minor's score drops along with it. If the parent carries a high balance, the minor's score is affected. The minor has no control over this and cannot fix it without the parent's cooperation.
There is also a risk that the parent removes the minor as an authorized user later. When this happens, the account falls off the minor's credit report. If it was the minor's only account, their credit history disappears and their score drops significantly. This can happen if the parent and minor have a conflict, or if the parent closes the account.
With a secured card, the main risk is that the minor does not pay the bill. The parent, as co-signer, is legally responsible and will be contacted by the bank if the minor misses a payment. The parent's credit can also be damaged if the account goes unpaid. The minor may also be tempted to overspend because the card feels like information programs, not realizing the deposit is their own money being held by the bank.
Both options carry the risk that the minor uses the card irresponsibly — making large purchases they cannot afford or running up debt. Parents should set clear rules about what the card can be used for and monitor the account regularly.
How to choose between authorized user and secured card
Choose authorized user status if the parent has good credit, pays bills on time, and is willing to keep the account open for several years. This is the fastest way to build the minor's credit score and requires no deposit or legal responsibility from the minor. It works best if the goal is straightforward to establish a credit history before age 18.
Choose a secured card if the minor is old enough (16 or 17), has some income or savings, and is ready to manage their own account. This approach teaches financial responsibility and creates an independent credit history that will matter when the minor turns 18. It is also useful if the parent's credit is not strong enough to help, or if the parent is uncomfortable with the minor using their account.
Many families use both: the minor becomes an authorized user on the parent's card to start building credit early, and then opens a secured card at 16 or 17 to build their own independent history. By age 18, the minor has two accounts reporting to the credit bureaus and a credit score in the 700s or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 13-year-old get a credit card?
A 13-year-old cannot open a credit card in their own name. They can become an authorized user on a parent's card when ready, which starts building their credit history. A secured card with a co-signer is not available until age 16 or 17 at most banks.
What happens to the minor's credit if the parent removes them as an authorized user?
The account falls off the minor's credit report, usually within 30 to 60 days. If it was the minor's only account, their credit score will drop significantly because their credit history becomes empty. To avoid this, choose a parent whose account will stay open and active for years.
Does the minor need a job to get a secured card?
Most banks do not require the minor to have a job, but some do ask for proof of income. A co-signer (parent) is usually required, and the bank may focus more on the co-signer's income and credit than the minor's. Call the bank directly to ask about their specific requirements.
Can a minor build credit without a parent's help?
Not through a credit card. A minor cannot open a credit card without a parent as an authorized user account holder or co-signer. Other ways to build credit include becoming an authorized user on a parent's card, or in some cases, being added to a utility bill or phone account in their name (though this does not always report to credit bureaus).
What is the difference between a co-signer and an authorized user?
An authorized user is added to someone else's account and uses their card, but has no legal responsibility for the debt. A co-signer signs a contract promising to pay if the primary borrower does not. Co-signers are legally liable; authorized users are not.