Yes, but only with a parent or guardian as a co-owner
You cannot open a credit card account by yourself until you turn 18. Before that age, federal law treats you as unable to enter a binding contract, which includes a credit card agreement. However, you can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card, or in some cases open a joint account where they co-sign with you.
The difference between these two routes matters. An authorized user gets a card with your name on it and can make purchases, but the account holder (your parent) is legally responsible for all charges and payment. A joint account means you both own it and both are responsible — your parent is not just letting you borrow their card, they are sharing the account. Joint accounts are less common for teens because they put more responsibility on the young person, but they do build your credit history faster.
Some banks and credit card companies have started offering teen checking accounts with debit cards, which is different from a credit card but solves the same problem: giving you a card to use before 18. A debit card draws from money already in an account, so there is no credit involved and no debt to repay.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to open a credit card in your own name; before that, you need a parent or guardian to co-own the account or add you as an authorized user.
- As an authorized user, you can use the card but your parent is fully responsible for the bill; as a joint account holder, you both are responsible.
- Authorized user accounts can help build your credit history if the parent's account is reported to the credit bureaus, but not all cards report authorized users.
- A debit card linked to a teen checking account is another option that does not involve credit or debt.
- At 18, you can open your own credit card, though your first card may have a lower limit or require a deposit.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
This is the easiest route. Your parent calls their credit card company or logs into their account online and requests to add you as an authorized user. The company mails a card with your name on it, and you can use it when ready. You do not need to fill out an process or prove income. The parent remains the account holder and is responsible for all charges, late payments, and the full balance.
The main benefit is that you learn to use a credit card without the legal or financial risk. You see how charges appear on a statement, you understand what a bill looks like, and you practice not overspending. If you make a mistake — run up a large balance or miss a payment — it is your parent's credit score that takes the hit, not yours.
The credit-building benefit depends on the card issuer. Some companies report authorized user accounts to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means your credit history starts building as soon as you are added. Others do not report authorized users at all. Before your parent adds you, it is worth asking the card company whether they report authorized users to the bureaus. If they do, this is a real way to start building credit before 18.
Opening a joint account with a parent
A joint credit card account means both you and your parent own it and both are legally responsible for the debt. You both sign the process, and you both can make charges. The credit card company reports the account to both of your credit reports, so your credit history builds from day one — but so does your parent's responsibility if you do not pay.
Banks are reluctant to open joint accounts with minors because the minor cannot be held to a contract. Some will do it if the parent co-signs, which means the parent is guaranteeing the debt. Others will not do it at all. If you want to explore this route, you would need to call the card company directly and ask whether they offer joint accounts with minors and what their co-signer requirements are.
The advantage over an authorized user account is that your credit history is fully yours from the start, not dependent on your parent's account being reported. The disadvantage is that your parent has to trust you more — you are not just using their card, you are both owners of the debt. This is rarely the right choice for a young teen, but it can make sense for an older teen (16 or 17) who has shown they can handle money responsibly.
Teen checking accounts with debit cards
Many banks now offer checking accounts designed for people under 18, often with a parent as a co-owner or monitor. These accounts come with a debit card that works like a credit card at checkout — you swipe it, enter a PIN, or tap it to pay — but the money comes directly from the account balance. There is no credit involved, no debt, and no interest charges.
The benefit is that you learn to manage money and use a card without any credit risk. The drawback is that a debit card does not build a credit history. When you turn 18 and explore for your first real credit card, you will start from zero. However, if your goal is straightforward to have a card to use before 18, a debit card solves that problem cleanly.
Some teen checking accounts come with financial education tools — spending trackers, savings goals, or alerts when you are running low on money. A few let your parent set spending limits or require approval for purchases over a certain amount. If you are interested in this route, ask your bank whether they offer a teen account and what features come with it.
What happens when you turn 18
At 18, you can open a credit card in your own name without a parent's involvement. However, your first card may have a lower credit limit (often $300 to $500) or require a cash deposit to find it. This is normal. Card companies have no credit history on you yet, so they limit their risk.
If you have been an authorized user on a parent's account for a year or more, and that account was reported to the credit bureaus, you may have a credit score by the time you turn 18. This can help you get approved for a regular card with a higher limit. If you have only been an authorized user or have used a debit card, you will have no credit history, and you may need to start with a secured card or a card designed for people building credit.
The card you get at 18 is the beginning of your credit history as an independent person. The habits you build now — paying on time, keeping balances low, not explore for too many cards at once — will affect your credit score for years. If you have been using a parent's card or a debit card responsibly, you already know how to do this.
Building credit before 18 without a credit card
If your parent does not want to add you to their card, or if their card company does not report authorized users, there are other ways to start building credit before 18. Some credit unions offer credit-builder loans to minors with a parent as a co-signer. You borrow a small amount (often $500 to $1,000), which the credit union holds in a savings account. You make monthly payments, and when the loan is paid off, you get the money back. The payments are reported to the credit bureaus, so you build a credit history.
Another option is to become an authorized user on a parent's other accounts — not just credit cards, but store cards, gas cards, or other lines of credit. The more accounts that report you as an authorized user, the stronger your credit history may be by the time you turn 18.
A third option is to wait until 18 and open a secured credit card when ready. A secured card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as collateral. You get a credit limit equal to your deposit, you use the card like a regular card, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the company may convert it to a regular card and return your deposit. This is a legitimate way to build credit from scratch, and many people do it at 18 with no prior credit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17?
No, not in your own name. You must be 18 to sign a credit card agreement. Before 18, your only options are to be added as an authorized user on a parent's card, open a joint account with a parent as co-signer (if the company allows it), or use a debit card.
Does being an authorized user build my credit score?
It can, but only if the card company reports authorized users to the credit bureaus. Not all do. Before your parent adds you, ask the company directly whether they report authorized user accounts. If they do, your credit history will start building as soon as you are added to the account.
What if my parent has bad credit?
If your parent is an authorized user on someone else's card with good payment history, you could ask to be added to that account instead. If your parent's own credit is poor, being added to their card will not help you build good credit — you will inherit their payment history, which is negative. In that case, a debit card or a credit-builder loan with a co-signer might be a better choice.
Can I use someone else's credit card if they give me permission?
Technically, yes, but only if you are an authorized user or a joint account holder. Using someone else's card without being officially added to the account is not the same thing legally, and it does not build your credit history. If a parent or guardian wants you to use their card, they should add you as an authorized user first.
Will a debit card hurt my credit score?
No. A debit card is not a credit product, so it does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score at all — for better or worse. It is a way to use a card and learn money management without building credit history.