You must be at least 18 years old to open a credit card in your own name
Credit card issuers are required by federal law to verify that applicants are at least 18 years old. This applies whether you are opening a card at a bank, through a credit union, or with an online-only issuer. Age 18 is the legal threshold across all card types — student cards, secured cards, rewards cards, and basic cards all have the same minimum.
If you are under 18, you cannot hold a credit card account by yourself. Some card issuers offer authorized user accounts for minors, which means you can be added to someone else's account, but you do not own the card and the account holder is responsible for all charges.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 years old to open a credit card in your own name, and this age requirement is set by federal law.
- If you are under 18, you can become an authorized user on someone else's card, but you will not own the account.
- Student credit cards are designed for people 18 and older who are enrolled in college, and often have lower credit limits and fewer rewards than standard cards.
- Building credit before age 18 is possible through authorized user accounts, secured credit cards once you turn 18, or by becoming a co-signer on a loan.
- Your first card will likely require proof of income or a co-signer if you have no credit history, even though you meet the age requirement.
Why 18 is the legal minimum
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the CARD Act) set 18 as the minimum age for credit card ownership. The law treats credit card accounts the same way it treats other legal contracts — you must be an adult to enter into a binding agreement with a lender.
Before this law passed, some issuers offered cards to people under 18 if a parent co-signed. That practice is now prohibited. The CARD Act also requires that if you are between 18 and 21, you must show proof of income or have a co-signer before the issuer will approve you, unless you already have an established credit history.
What happens if you are under 18
If you are under 18 and want to start building credit, the most common path is to become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card. When you are added as an authorized user, the account appears on your credit report, and on-time payments help build your credit score. You receive your own card with your name on it, but the account holder remains legally responsible for all charges.
Not all card issuers report authorized user accounts to credit bureaus, so if building credit is your goal, ask the issuer first whether they will report the account. Some banks do; others do not. Once you turn 18, you can open your own card and begin building an independent credit history.
Student cards and the 18-to-21 age group
Student credit cards are designed for people 18 and older who are currently enrolled in a college or university. These cards typically have lower credit limits (often $500 to $2,500) and fewer rewards than standard cards, but they are easier to get approved for if you have little or no credit history.
To open a student card, you will need to provide proof of enrollment, such as a current student ID or a letter from your school's registrar. You will also need to show proof of income — this can be from a part-time job, work-study, or even a small amount of savings — or provide a co-signer. Some student cards do not require proof of income at all if you have a co-signer.
Student cards often come with benefits like cash back on dining and books, or reduced interest rates during your first year. The main advantage is that they report to credit bureaus, so responsible use builds your credit score before you graduate.
Age requirements for co-signers and authorized users
If you are 18 or older but have no credit history, a co-signer can help you get approved. A co-signer is a person who agrees to be legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. Co-signers must be at least 18 years old and typically need to have an established credit history themselves.
An authorized user, by contrast, does not sign anything and is not legally responsible for the debt. The account holder can add an authorized user of any age, though most issuers set a minimum age (often 13 or 16) for practical reasons. Authorized users do not need to meet any age or income requirements because they do not own the account.
Building credit before you turn 18
If you want to start building credit before age 18, becoming an authorized user is the most straightforward option. Ask a parent or guardian to add you to one of their cards — ideally one they use responsibly and pay on time every month. The account will appear on your credit report, and you will build a credit history before you are old enough to open your own card.
Another option is to open a secured credit card once you turn 18. A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as collateral. You then receive a credit line equal to your deposit. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history or poor credit, and they report to credit bureaus just like regular cards do. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to a standard card and return your deposit.
What you will need when you explore
When you turn 18 and are ready to open your first card, have these documents ready: a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (a recent pay stub, tax return, or letter from your employer), and your Social Security number. If you do not have proof of income, you will need a co-signer.
Some issuers also ask for proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement. Online applications are faster than in-person applications at a bank branch, and you will usually know whether you are approved within minutes or hours rather than days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 if I turn 18 soon?
No. You must be 18 at the time you submit your process. You cannot explore before your 18th birthday, even if you will be 18 within a few weeks. However, you can explore on the day you turn 18.
Do I need a job to get a credit card at 18?
Most issuers require proof of income or a co-signer if you are between 18 and 21 with no credit history. Income can come from employment, but also from student loans, grants, or regular financial support from family. If you have none of these, a co-signer can help you get approved.
Will being an authorized user hurt my credit if the account holder misses a payment?
Yes. If the account holder misses payments, late payments will appear on your credit report too, even though you are not responsible for paying. This is why it is important to ask a parent or guardian who pays their bills on time to add you as an authorized user.
Can I remove myself as an authorized user?
Yes, you can contact the card issuer and ask to be removed. However, the account will remain on your credit report for up to seven years. If the account has a positive payment history, it may be worth keeping it on your report to help your credit score.
What is the difference between a co-signer and a guarantor?
A co-signer signs the credit agreement and is legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. A guarantor is similar but the term is used less often with credit cards. For credit cards, the term is almost always co-signer. Both must be at least 18 and have established credit.