You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 17 in the United States
Credit card companies are required by federal law to only issue cards to people 18 and older. This rule comes from the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act), passed in 2009. Even if you have a job, a Social Security number, and money in the bank, you cannot sign a credit card contract until your 18th birthday.
That said, there are real ways to start building credit before 18, and some of them actually work better than waiting. The routes available to you now — becoming an authorized user, getting a secured card after you turn 18, or using a credit-builder loan — all have different costs and payoffs. Knowing which one fits your situation means you can start the right way instead of making expensive mistakes once you hit 18.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to hold a credit card in your own name, but you can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card right now.
- As an authorized user, your payment history on that card reports to your credit report, so on-time payments build your credit score before you turn 18.
- When you turn 18, a secured credit card — which requires a cash deposit — is often easier to get than an unsecured card and costs less than you might think.
- A credit-builder loan from a credit union or online lender is another path that builds credit without requiring you to carry debt or make purchases.
- Starting now with authorized user status or a credit-builder loan means your credit score will be stronger the moment you turn 18 and can explore for your own card.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
The fastest way to start building credit at 17 is to ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. You do not need to be 18, and you do not need your own income. The card issuer will issue you a physical card with your name on it, and you can use it to make purchases.
The key benefit is that the card's payment history — whether payments are on time, how much of the credit limit is being used — reports to your credit report under your name. If the primary cardholder pays on time every month and keeps the balance low, your credit score will climb even though you are not the one making the payments. This is one of the fastest ways to build a credit score from scratch.
The catch is that you are completely dependent on the primary cardholder's behavior. If they miss a payment or run up a high balance, your credit takes the hit too. You also have no control over the account, so you cannot change the credit limit, dispute a charge, or close the card yourself. Choose a parent or guardian whose credit habits you trust.
What happens when you turn 18 and want your own card
On your 18th birthday, you become legally able to sign a credit contract. At that point, you have three main paths: explore for an unsecured card from a mainstream issuer, get a secured card, or continue building credit through other means while you wait for your score to improve.
If you have been an authorized user for a year or more and the account has a clean payment history, some card issuers will approve you for a standard unsecured card — one with no deposit required. Your credit score and the primary cardholder's account history both work in your favor. However, many issuers will still deny you if you have no income, no credit history in your own name, or both.
A secured credit card is the more reliable option at 18. You deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer — typically $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, pay the bill each month, and the issuer reports your payment history to the credit bureaus. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert the card to unsecured and return your deposit. Secured cards usually charge an annual fee ($0 to $95, depending on the issuer) and a higher interest rate than unsecured cards, but they are designed for people building credit and are much easier to get approved for at 18.
Secured cards versus unsecured cards at 18
| Feature | Secured Card | Unsecured Card |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | Yes, $200–$2,500 | No |
| Annual fee | Usually $0–$95 | Often $0, sometimes $95+ |
| Interest rate (APR) | Usually 18–24% | Usually 15–25% for new cardholders |
| Approval odds at 18 with no credit history | High | Low to medium |
| Path to unsecured card | Yes, after 6–18 months of on-time payments | N/A |
Credit-builder loans as an alternative
A credit-builder loan is a different tool that also builds credit without requiring you to carry a credit card. Here is how it works: you borrow a small amount of money — usually $500 to $1,000 — from a credit union or online lender. The lender holds that money in a savings account and you cannot touch it. You make monthly payments toward the loan, and each payment is reported to the credit bureaus.
After you finish paying off the loan (usually 12 to 24 months), you get the money back. The cost is the interest you pay — typically 5 to 10% annually, much lower than a credit card. The benefit is that you build a payment history without spending money on purchases or carrying a balance. This is especially useful if you are not ready to use a credit card responsibly, or if you want to build credit without the temptation to overspend.
Credit unions often offer credit-builder loans to members with no credit history. If you do not belong to a credit union, organizations like Self and Kikoff offer credit-builder loans online. The monthly payment is small — often $25 to $50 — so it fits into most budgets.
Building credit now versus waiting until 18
Starting to build credit at 17 gives you a head start. If you become an authorized user now and the account stays in good standing, your credit score will be higher the day you turn 18. A higher score at 18 means you have a better chance of getting approved for an unsecured card without a deposit, or getting a secured card with a lower interest rate and no annual fee.
The alternative — waiting until 18 to start — means you will begin with no credit history at all. You will almost certainly need a secured card, and you will pay the full cost (deposit, annual fee, higher interest rate) while you build from zero. Starting now costs you nothing and saves you money later.
Even if you do not use the authorized user card to make purchases, the account history still builds your credit. You can ask the primary cardholder to use it occasionally for small purchases and pay it off in full each month. The goal is to show a pattern of on-time payments and low balances — both of which boost your score.
Mistakes to avoid before and after you turn 18
If you become an authorized user, do not ask the primary cardholder to make large purchases on your behalf that you will pay back in cash. That creates a hidden debt that does not show up on your credit report, and if you cannot pay it back, it damages your relationship with the cardholder and their finances. Keep the arrangement straightforward: use the card for small, planned purchases and let the primary cardholder handle the bill.
Once you turn 18 and get your own card, do not max it out. Credit card companies report how much of your available credit you are using — called your utilization rate. Using more than 30% of your limit hurts your credit score, even if you pay on time. If your secured card has a $500 limit, keep your balance under $150. This is the single easiest way to boost your score quickly.
Do not explore for multiple cards in a short time. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score. Space out applications by at least six months. And do not close old accounts once you upgrade to an unsecured card — keeping the old account open (even unused) helps your credit score by showing a longer history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 if I have a job?
No. Federal law requires you to be 18 to sign a credit card contract, regardless of income. However, having a job at 17 is actually useful — when you turn 18, you can list that income on your card process, which improves your odds of approval.
What if my parents do not have good credit?
Their credit score does not affect whether you can become an authorized user, but their payment behavior on that specific card does. If they have missed payments or carry high balances on the card you would join, that account will hurt your credit too. In that case, a credit-builder loan might be a better path.
Do I need a Social Security number to be an authorized user?
Yes. The card issuer will ask for your Social Security number so they can report the account to the credit bureaus under your name. If you do not have one, you cannot build credit through an authorized user account.
Will becoming an authorized user hurt the primary cardholder's credit?
No. Adding you as an authorized user does not change their credit score or their credit limit. It only means the account history now reports under both your names.
What is the difference between an authorized user and a joint account holder?
An authorized user can use the card but has no legal responsibility for the debt. A joint account holder is equally responsible for paying the bill. Most parents add teenagers as authorized users, not joint holders, because it limits the teenager's legal liability if something goes wrong.