You cannot open a credit card account on your own at 17, but you have three real paths forward
Credit card issuers require you to be 18 years old and have a Social Security number to sign a contract in your own name. At 17, you do not meet that legal requirement, so no major card issuer will approve you as the primary account holder. But that does not mean you have to wait: you can become an authorized user on someone else's account, open a secured card at 18 with a deposit, or ask a parent or guardian to co-sign a standard card once you turn 18.
The path you choose now affects what your credit report looks like when you actually need to borrow money — for a car, an apartment, or your first loan. Starting early, even in a limited way, gives you a head start on building a credit history that lenders will trust.
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 account right now.
- As an authorized user, you build credit history without needing your own income or credit score, though the primary account holder is legally responsible for all charges.
- Once you turn 18, a secured credit card (backed by a cash deposit you control) is often easier to get than a standard card, even with no credit history.
- If a parent co-signs a standard card with you at 18, you both become responsible for the debt, and missed payments hurt both your credit scores.
- The card you use at 17 or 18 should have no annual fee and a low credit limit, because your goal is to build history, not to borrow large amounts.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's account
This is the simplest option available to you right now. Your parent or guardian calls their credit card issuer and asks to add you as an authorized user. You receive a card with your name on it, and you can use it to make purchases. The primary account holder — your parent or guardian — remains legally responsible for all charges, and the bill goes to them.
The key benefit is that the account's payment history shows up on your credit report. If the primary account holder pays on time every month, you build a record of on-time payments without having to may have access to for credit yourself. This history follows you when you turn 18 and explore for your own card. Many issuers report authorized user accounts to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), though some do not, so ask before you ask to be added.
The risk is that if the primary account holder misses a payment or carries a high balance, that damage appears on your credit report too. You have no control over the account, so you cannot fix it yourself. Set clear expectations with your parent or guardian about how the card will be used and what happens if there are problems.
Opening a secured credit card once you turn 18
A secured credit card is backed by a cash deposit you make upfront. You put money into a savings account held by the card issuer — typically $200 to $2,500 — and the issuer gives you a credit card with a limit equal to your deposit. You use the card like any other card, pay the bill each month, and build credit history. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer usually converts the card to a standard unsecured card and returns your deposit.
Secured cards exist because they let issuers take on borrowers with no credit history or poor credit history. The deposit is their protection, not yours — if you stop paying, they keep it. But for you, the deposit is actually an advantage: it forces you to save money before you borrow, and it caps how much damage you can do if you misuse the card.
Look for a secured card with no annual fee and one that reports to all three credit bureaus. Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and U.S. Bank Secured Visa are common options, but terms change, so compare current offers before you explore. The goal is to charge small amounts — a tank of gas, a meal — and pay the full balance each month. This shows lenders you can handle credit responsibly.
Co-signing a standard card with a parent at 18
Once you turn 18, a parent or guardian can co-sign a standard credit card process with you. A co-signer is a second adult who promises to pay the debt if you do not. Issuers are more willing to approve you because they have a backup source of payment, so you may get a card with better terms than a secured card would offer.
The catch is that both of you are legally responsible for every charge and every missed payment. If you miss a payment, it damages both your credit scores. If you run up a balance, the co-signer is on the hook for it. This arrangement works only if you trust each other completely and have a clear agreement about how the card will be used.
Many people use co-signing as a stepping stone: they use the card responsibly for a year or two, build their own credit history, and then ask the co-signer to come off the account. Not all issuers allow this, so ask before you explore whether the co-signer can be removed later.
What happens if you wait until 18 with no credit history
If you do nothing as an authorized user and have no credit history when you turn 18, you are not locked out of credit — you are just starting from zero. You can still open a secured card, and many issuers have student cards designed for people with no history. The difference is that you will have fewer options and may face higher interest rates or lower credit limits.
Starting now, even as an authorized user, compresses the time it takes to build a credit score. Credit scores require at least six months of history to calculate, so the sooner you start, the sooner you can move to a standard card with better terms. This matters when you are 20 and want to finance a car, or 22 and want to rent an apartment — landlords and lenders look at your credit score, and a longer history of on-time payments is always an advantage.
How to use a card at 17 or 18 without damaging your credit
The card you use now should be a tool to build history, not a way to borrow money you do not have. Charge small, predictable expenses: a monthly streaming service, a regular meal, a tank of gas. Keep the balance under 10 percent of your credit limit — if your limit is $500, do not carry more than $50 in charges. Pay the full balance every month, on time, without fail.
Set up automatic payments from your bank account so you never miss a due date. Missing even one payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more and stays on your report for seven years. One late payment at 17 or 18 can affect your ability to borrow at 25. The discipline you build now — spending less than you have, paying on time — is the actual skill that matters.
Do not explore for multiple cards in a short time. Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, and too many inquiries in a few months can lower your score. Pick one card, use it well, and wait at least six months before you explore for another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 without a parent's help?
No. You must be 18 to sign a credit contract in your own name. Your only option at 17 is to become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's account, which requires their permission and their card.
Does being an authorized user actually build my credit?
Yes, but only if the card issuer reports authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus. Ask the issuer before you are added. If they do report it, the account's full history — including payment history and balance — shows up on your credit report and helps build your score.
What is the difference between a secured card and a co-signed card?
A secured card is backed by your own deposit and is your responsibility alone. A co-signed card is backed by a co-signer's promise to pay, and both of you are legally responsible. Secured cards are easier to get at 18 with no history; co-signed cards may have better terms but put someone else's credit at risk.
Will my credit score go down if I open a card at 18?
Opening a card causes a small, temporary dip because of the hard inquiry. But within a few months, the account's payment history starts to build your score. As long as you pay on time and keep your balance low, your score will rise over time.
What happens to my authorized user account when I turn 18?
The account stays open and keeps reporting to your credit report. You can keep using it, or you can ask to be removed and open your own card. There is no rule that says you have to do one or the other — some people keep both accounts open to maintain a longer credit history.