What credit options actually exist at 17
You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 17. Federal law requires you to be 18, and most card issuers require 21 unless you can prove independent income. But you have real options that build credit now without waiting: becoming an authorized user on a parent's card, getting a secured card at 18, or opening a credit-builder loan through a credit union.
The path you choose matters because credit history starts the moment an account opens in your name. Starting now — even before 18 — means your credit score will be higher when you need to rent an apartment, buy a car, or take out a student loan. The accounts you open at 18 will still be on your report at 25.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to get a credit card, but you can become an authorized user on a parent's card right now and build credit when ready.
- Authorized user accounts report to your credit report if the card issuer reports authorized users — ask the parent's card issuer directly to confirm.
- At 18, a secured card (which requires a cash deposit) is the fastest way to build credit if you have no history yet.
- Credit-builder loans through credit unions let you borrow money you cannot touch, then pay it back to prove you can handle debt responsibly.
- The goal at 17 and 18 is to show lenders you pay on time — one account managed well matters more than multiple accounts.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
This is the fastest way to build credit before 18. When you are added as an authorized user, the parent's card account appears on your credit report (if the issuer reports authorized users — most do, but not all). You get a card with your name on it, but the parent controls the account and pays the bill.
The catch: the account's entire history — good and bad — shows up on your report. If the parent has missed payments or carries a high balance, that hurts your score too. If the account is in good standing with on-time payments and low balance, it helps you when ready. Ask the parent to check their card issuer's website or call to confirm they report authorized users to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Not all do.
You do not need to use the card. Some people add a teenager as an authorized user and never give them the physical card — the account still reports. Others set a small monthly limit or specific purchases (groceries, gas) to teach responsibility. The parent remains liable for all charges.
Getting a secured credit card at 18
A secured card is a real credit card backed by a cash deposit you put down. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 credit limit. You use it like a normal card, pay the bill each month, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer converts it to a regular card and returns your deposit.
Credit unions often offer secured cards with lower fees and faster conversion than banks. Call your local credit union or search for "credit union secured card" plus your state to find options. Some require membership first; others let you open a membership account and a secured card in the same visit.
The deposit is not a fee — you get it back. But there may be an annual fee ($25 to $50) and an interest rate (usually 18% to 24%). You avoid interest by paying the full balance each month, which is the whole point. The goal is to show lenders you do not carry a balance and pay on time.
Credit-builder loans through credit unions
A credit-builder loan works backwards from a normal loan. The credit union lends you money (usually $500 to $1,000) but holds it in a savings account you cannot touch. You make monthly payments for 6 to 24 months. When you finish, you get the money back, minus interest paid.
This sounds pointless — you pay interest on your own money — but it proves to lenders that you can handle a debt obligation. The loan reports to all three credit bureaus each month. After you finish, you have a paid-off loan on your credit report (which is good) and a small amount of savings you built without noticing.
Credit unions charge less interest on these loans than banks, and some charge none at all. Call ahead and ask: "Do you offer credit-builder loans, and what is the interest rate?" If your family does not have a credit union account, you can usually open one just to take out the loan.
What to avoid at 17 and 18
Do not co-sign a loan or credit card for anyone else. If they miss a payment, it damages your new credit report. Do not explore for multiple cards in a short time — each process leaves a small mark on your report, and too many in a few months signals desperation to lenders.
Do not carry a balance on purpose to "build credit." Paying interest teaches you nothing except how to waste money. Lenders care that you pay on time, not that you pay interest. A $50 balance paid in full each month builds credit just as well as a $500 balance.
Do not use a debit card and expect it to build credit. Debit cards do not report to credit bureaus — they are not credit. The account is tied to your bank account, not a lender. Only credit accounts (cards, loans, lines of credit) build a credit history.
Building credit between 17 and 21
Start with one account now — either as an authorized user or a secured card at 18. Use it for small, regular purchases: gas, groceries, a streaming service. Pay the full balance every month, on time. After 6 months of perfect payments, your credit score will start to rise.
At 21, you can explore for a regular credit card if you have income (part-time job, internship, scholarship stipend all count). By then you will have 3 to 4 years of credit history, which makes approval much easier and gets you better interest rates.
Check your credit report once a year at annualcreditreport.com (the only free, official source). Look for errors — a missed payment you made, an account you did not open, a balance that is wrong. Dispute errors in writing with the credit bureau. Errors are common and fixable.
The difference between credit score and credit report
Your credit report is a record of every account you have opened, every payment you made or missed, and every time someone checked your credit. It is maintained by three companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can see it free once a year.
Your credit score is a number (usually 300 to 850) that summarizes your report. It is calculated by a formula that weighs payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of history (15%), new accounts (10%), and types of credit (10%). You do not need to know the formula — you just need to pay on time and keep balances low.
Different lenders use different scores. A mortgage lender might use one version, a credit card issuer another. But they all move in the same direction: on-time payments and low balances raise your score; missed payments and high balances lower it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 if my parents co-sign?
No. Federal law (the CARD Act of 2009) requires cardholders to be 18. Co-signing does not change that. Your parent can add you as an authorized user, but they cannot co-sign a card for you until you are 18 and can explore in your own name.
Does being an authorized user hurt my parent's credit?
No. Adding you as an authorized user does not change the parent's credit score. The account was already on their report. Your use of the card does not affect them unless you damage the card or the parent has to pay for fraud — and fraud is the card issuer's problem, not the parent's.
What if I do not have a credit union nearby?
Many credit unions let you join and open accounts online, even if you do not live in their area. Search "online credit union membership" or ask your bank if they offer credit-builder loans. Some banks do, though credit unions usually charge less. If neither is available, a secured card from a major bank (Capital One, Discover, or others) is your next option.
How long does it take to build credit from zero?
You will have a credit score within 6 months of opening your first account. It will be low (usually 500 to 650) because you have little history. After 12 to 18 months of on-time payments, it will rise to 650 to 700. After 2 to 3 years, it can reach 750 or higher if you have no missed payments and keep balances low.
Should I open multiple cards at 18 to build credit faster?
No. One card used responsibly for a year builds more credit than three cards opened at once. Multiple new accounts in a short time actually lower your score because lenders see it as risky behavior. Open one card, use it well for at least a year, then add another if you need it.