What Credit Cards Are Available to People Under 18
You cannot get a standard credit card in your own name until you turn 18. Banks and card issuers are required by federal law to verify that you are a legal adult before they issue credit in your name. If you are under 18, you have three real options: become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card, open a secured credit card once you turn 18, or use a debit card or prepaid card in the meantime.
The most common path for teenagers is becoming an authorized user. This means your parent or guardian opens a credit card account, and the card issuer adds you to that account. You get your own card with your name on it, but the account belongs to your parent. They are legally responsible for all charges, and the payment history goes on their credit report, not yours.
Some card issuers allow parents to add authorized users as young as 13, though policies vary. American Express, Chase, Discover, and Capital One all permit this. The parent controls the account, sets spending limits if the card issuer offers that feature, and receives all the bills.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to open a credit card account in your own name; federal law requires card issuers to verify your age.
- Becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card is the most common way to use credit before 18, and the parent remains responsible for all charges.
- Some card issuers allow parents to add authorized users as young as 13, though the specific age varies by bank.
- A debit card or prepaid card lets you make purchases and build spending habits without credit, and requires no parent involvement.
- Once you turn 18, you can open your own credit card account, though your first card may have a lower limit or require a deposit.
Becoming an Authorized User on a Parent's Card
To become an authorized user, ask your parent or guardian to contact their credit card issuer. They can usually do this by phone, online through the card issuer's website, or in person at a branch if it is a bank card. The parent provides your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The card issuer verifies the information and mails a card in your name to the address on file.
The process typically takes one to two weeks. Your parent remains the primary account holder and receives the monthly statement. You can use the card to make purchases, but your parent sees every transaction and pays the full bill. Some issuers let the primary account holder set a spending limit on the authorized user's card, which can help you learn to budget.
Being an authorized user does not build your own credit history. The account appears on your parent's credit report, not yours. However, if your parent makes late payments or carries a high balance, that negative activity can affect their credit score, not yours. Once you turn 18, you can ask to be removed from the account and open your own card.
Using a Debit Card or Prepaid Card Instead
If your parent does not want to add you to their credit card account, a debit card or prepaid card is a straightforward alternative. A debit card is linked to a checking account and lets you spend only the money you have deposited. Many banks offer teen checking accounts with debit cards for customers as young as 13. You can open one at most major banks with a parent or guardian present.
A prepaid card works differently. You or your parent load money onto the card, and you can spend up to that amount. Prepaid cards do not require a bank account and do not build credit history. They are useful for learning to manage money without the risk of overspending, since you cannot spend more than you have loaded.
Neither a debit card nor a prepaid card builds credit history, so they do not help you establish a credit record before you turn 18. However, they teach you how to track spending and manage a budget, which are skills you will need when you open your first credit card as an adult.
What Happens When You Turn 18
Once you turn 18, you can open a credit card account in your own name without a parent's involvement. However, your first card may come with restrictions. If you have no credit history, card issuers see you as higher risk. Your first card may have a lower credit limit (often $300 to $500), a higher interest rate, or an annual fee.
A secured credit card is designed for people with no credit history or poor credit. You deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. For example, if you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. You use the card like a regular credit card, and the issuer reports your payment history to the credit bureaus. After six to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers convert the card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit.
If you were an authorized user on your parent's card before turning 18, you can ask to be removed from that account and open your own card. Your parent's payment history on that account does not transfer to you, but the experience of watching how credit works can help you make better decisions with your own card.
Building Credit as a Young Adult
Your credit score is built from your payment history, the amount of credit you use, the length of your credit history, and other factors. As a teenager or young adult with no credit history, you start at zero. The fastest way to build credit is to use a credit card responsibly: charge small purchases you can afford to pay off, and pay the full balance on time every month.
Do not carry a balance just to "build credit." Paying interest does not help your score; paying on time does. If you charge $50 on your card and pay it off in full by the due date, you build credit without paying any interest. If you charge $50 and pay only the minimum, you pay interest and build credit more slowly.
Once you have six months of on-time payments on one card, you may be offered a second card or a higher limit on your first card. Building credit takes time, but starting early — as soon as you turn 18 — gives you a head start.
Risks to Avoid as a Young Cardholder
The most common mistake young cardholders make is spending more than they can afford to pay back. Credit cards are straightforward to use, and it is tempting to buy things you want now and worry about paying later. But if you carry a balance, you pay interest, which makes everything you buy more expensive. A $100 purchase at 20% interest costs you $120 by the time you pay it off.
Late payments hurt your credit score and can trigger penalty fees. Missing even one payment by 30 days can lower your score by 100 points or more. If you miss a payment, contact your card issuer when ready. Many will waive a late fee if you pay within a few days and have a clean payment history.
Do not max out your credit limit. Using more than 30% of your available credit can lower your score, even if you pay on time. If your limit is $500, try to keep your balance below $150. This shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my own credit card at 17 if I turn 18 soon?
No. Card issuers verify your age at the time you open the account. You must be 18 on the day you open the account. You can open a card as soon as you turn 18, even if it is just days away, but not before.
Does being an authorized user build my credit score?
No. The account appears on your parent's credit report, not yours. However, if your parent makes on-time payments and keeps the balance low, it shows you how responsible credit use works. Once you turn 18 and open your own card, you build your own credit history from scratch.
What if my parent has bad credit?
Your parent's credit score does not affect your ability to open your own card once you turn 18. Your credit score is separate from theirs. However, if your parent added you as an authorized user and they make late payments on that account, it does not hurt your credit because the account is not in your name.
Can I use a credit card to pay for college?
You can use a credit card to pay some college expenses, but it is usually not the best option. Credit cards charge interest, which makes tuition more expensive. Federal student loans and grants are designed for education costs and have better terms. Use a credit card only for small, necessary expenses you cannot cover another way.
What should I do if I lose my authorized user card?
Tell your parent or guardian when ready. They should contact the card issuer to report the card lost or stolen. The issuer will cancel that card and mail a replacement. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report the card missing, but your parent is responsible for charges made before the report.