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 (the 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 you turn 18.
That said, there are three real ways to start building credit before your 18th birthday: becoming an authorized user on someone else's card, getting a secured card once you turn 18, or using a credit-builder loan. The first option is available to you right now. The other two become possible the moment you turn 18.
Key Takeaways
- Federal law prohibits credit card issuers from giving cards to anyone under 18, regardless of income or creditworthiness.
- You can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's credit card account right now, which may help you build credit history before turning 18.
- Once you turn 18, you can open a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit but reports to the three credit bureaus and helps establish your credit score.
- A credit-builder loan is another option at 18 that lets you borrow a small amount you keep in savings while making payments that build your credit file.
- Starting to build credit at 17 or 18 puts you ahead of peers who wait until their 20s, which affects loan rates and job opportunities for years.
Becoming an Authorized User on a Parent's Card
The fastest way to start building credit before 18 is to ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user on their credit card account. When you are an authorized user, the card issuer reports the account history to the credit bureaus under your name, even though you are not the primary account holder. This means on-time payments and low balances help your credit score grow.
You do not need to use the card or even receive a physical card in the mail. Some parents add their child as an authorized user without giving them access to the account. What matters for your credit is that the account is reported in your name. Ask the card issuer whether they report authorized user accounts to all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — because not all do.
The risk is that if the primary account holder misses payments or carries a high balance, that damage shows up on your credit report too. Choose someone whose payment habits are reliable. Once you turn 18, you can ask to be removed if the account is no longer helping your credit.
What Happens When You Turn 18
The day you turn 18, you become legally able to sign contracts, including credit card agreements. At that point, you have three main paths: explore for a standard credit card, open a secured card, or take out a credit-builder loan.
A standard credit card is the fastest route if you have already built some credit history as an authorized user. Issuers like Discover, Capital One, and Chase offer cards designed for people with limited or no credit history. These cards typically come with a higher interest rate and a lower credit limit than cards for people with established credit, but they work the same way — you charge purchases, pay a monthly bill, and the activity reports to the credit bureaus.
If you have no credit history at all, a secured card is usually easier to get approved for. You deposit cash with the card issuer — typically $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, make monthly payments, and after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, the issuer usually converts it to a standard card and returns your deposit. Issuers like Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank offer secured cards.
Credit-Builder Loans as an Alternative
A credit-builder loan is a small loan designed specifically to help people with no credit history or poor credit. Here is how it works: you borrow a small amount, usually $500 to $1,000, from a credit union or online lender. The lender puts that money into a savings account in your name, but you cannot touch it. Instead, you make monthly payments on the loan, and those payments are reported to the credit bureaus. After you finish paying off the loan, you get the money back.
The advantage is that you are building credit while also building savings. The disadvantage is that you pay interest on money you already have, and you cannot use the money until the loan is paid off. Credit unions often offer credit-builder loans at lower rates than online lenders. If you have a family member with a credit union account, you may be able to join and access their rates.
Why Starting Early Matters
Your credit score is based partly on how long you have had credit accounts open. Someone who starts building credit at 17 or 18 will have a higher score at 25 than someone who waits until 22 or 23, all else equal. A higher credit score at 25 means lower interest rates on car loans, student loans, and mortgages — sometimes a difference of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
Credit history also matters for things beyond borrowing. Some employers check credit reports before hiring, and landlords often pull credit reports before renting to you. Starting early gives you a track record that shows you pay bills on time.
What Not to Do Before 18
Do not try to lie about your age on a credit card process. Card issuers verify age through your Social Security number and birth date, and lying on a financial process is fraud. Do not ask someone to open a card in their name for you to use — this is identity fraud and puts both of you at legal risk.
Do not co-sign a loan or credit card for someone else before you turn 18. You cannot legally co-sign anything until you are an adult, and even after 18, co-signing means you are responsible for the full debt if the other person does not pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card if I am 17 and have a job?
No. Federal law requires you to be 18 to sign a credit card contract, regardless of income or employment status. However, you can ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user on their account, which helps you build credit while you wait to turn 18.
Does being an authorized user actually help my credit score?
Yes, but only if the card issuer reports authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus. Not all issuers do. Ask the card company before your parent adds you. If they report it, on-time payments and low balances on that account will show up on your credit report and help your score grow.
What is the difference between a secured card and a credit-builder loan?
A secured card works like a regular credit card — you charge purchases and pay a monthly bill. A credit-builder loan is a loan where the money sits in savings and you cannot use it; you just make payments on it. Both report to credit bureaus and help you build credit. Secured cards are faster if you want to use credit for purchases; credit-builder loans are better if you want to save money while building credit.
Will my credit score be hurt if I become an authorized user and the account has a high balance?
Yes. Your credit score is affected by the balance-to-limit ratio on every account in your name, including accounts where you are an authorized user. If the primary account holder carries a high balance, it lowers your score. Choose someone with low balances and on-time payment history.
Can I remove myself as an authorized user if I turn 18 and do not like the account?
You cannot remove yourself, but you can ask the primary account holder to remove you. Once removed, the account stops appearing on your credit report. If the account was helping your score, removing it may lower your score slightly, but only temporarily.