You can get a credit card with no credit history by using a secured card, becoming an authorized user, or explore with a co-signer
A credit card company has no way to know whether you will pay them back if you have never borrowed money before. The three main routes around this are to put down cash as collateral (a secured card), to ride on someone else's established history (authorized user status), or to have someone with good credit co-sign the process. Each one works differently, costs different amounts, and builds your credit at a different speed.
The fastest route depends on your situation. If you have cash available, a secured card takes one to two weeks to open and starts building credit when ready. If you have a family member or partner with good credit, becoming an authorized user can happen in days and shows up on your report right away. A co-signed card falls between the two — it takes longer to process but requires less cash upfront than a secured card.
Key Takeaways
- A secured credit card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, and most issuers convert you to a regular card after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments.
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card adds their payment history to your credit report within days, but you have no control over the account and their missed payments hurt you too.
- A co-signed card means a co-signer is legally responsible if you do not pay, which is why most people only co-sign for family members, and it takes two to three weeks to process.
- All three methods build credit only if you use the card and pay the full balance or at least the minimum on time every month.
- Secured cards typically charge an annual fee ($0 to $95) in addition to interest on any balance you carry, so paying in full each month saves money.
Secured Cards: Putting Down Cash to Borrow
A secured credit card works by holding your deposit as collateral. You send the card issuer $200 to $2,500 in cash, and that amount becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other credit card — you make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it back. The deposit sits in a savings account at the bank and earns a small amount of interest, but you cannot touch it while the account is open.
The card issuer reports your payments to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so every on-time payment builds your credit score. After 12 to 24 months of consistent payments, most issuers automatically convert the account to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. Some cards let you request conversion earlier if your score improves faster.
Secured cards charge an annual fee ranging from $0 to $95, plus interest on any balance you do not pay off each month. The interest rate is typically higher than a regular card — often 18% to 24% APR. To build credit without wasting money on interest, charge small purchases you can pay off in full each month, like a tank of gas or a grocery trip.
Popular secured card issuers include Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank, though many regional banks and credit unions offer them too. The process takes about 10 minutes online, and you can fund the deposit when ready with a bank transfer or debit card. Most people receive their card within one to two weeks.
Authorized User Status: Borrowing Someone Else's History
When you become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account, their payment history gets added to your credit report. If they have been paying on time for years, that history when ready boosts your score — sometimes by 50 to 100 points in the first month. You receive your own card with your name on it and can make purchases, but the primary account holder is responsible for paying the bill.
This route requires trust on both sides. The primary cardholder is legally responsible for all charges you make, so they need to be comfortable with that risk. You have no control over when the bill gets paid, so if they miss a payment, your credit score drops along with theirs. If the relationship ends badly, they can remove you from the account and the positive history may fall off your report.
Adding you as an authorized user takes a phone call or a few clicks online, and you typically receive the card within five to seven business days. Some card issuers let you become an authorized user without the primary holder's permission if you know their account number, but most require them to request it. There is no cost to either of you — no deposit, no annual fee.
This works best with a parent, spouse, or close family member who has a long history of on-time payments and a low credit utilization ratio (meaning they use only a small percentage of their available credit). If they carry a high balance or miss payments, becoming an authorized user will hurt rather than help your score.
Co-Signed Cards: Sharing Responsibility With a Guarantor
A co-signed credit card means a co-signer — usually a parent or spouse — signs the process alongside you and agrees to pay the debt if you do not. From the card issuer's perspective, they are lending to both of you equally. Both of your names appear on the account, and both of your credit reports receive the payment history.
The advantage over an authorized user account is that you control the card and the payments — you receive the bill and decide when to pay it. The disadvantage is that the co-signer is taking on real legal risk. If you miss a payment, the issuer can pursue the co-signer for the full amount, and the missed payment damages both credit scores.
Not all card issuers offer co-signed cards anymore. Capital One, Discover, and some regional banks still do, but you may need to call or visit a branch to explore rather than explore online. The process process takes two to three weeks because the issuer has to verify both applicants' information and run credit checks on both of you.
A co-signer should only be someone you trust completely and who understands the commitment. If you miss payments, you are not just hurting your own credit — you are damaging theirs and potentially creating conflict. This route makes sense if you have a family member willing to take that risk and you are confident you can pay on time.
Building Credit From Your First Card
Whichever route you choose, your credit score will not move until you actually use the card. Opening an account and leaving it unused does nothing. You need to make purchases and pay them back on time, month after month, for the credit bureaus to have data to work with.
The most important factor in your credit score is payment history — whether you pay on time. A single late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more, and it stays on your report for seven years. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due, or set a phone reminder a few days before the due date. Paying the full balance is better because it avoids interest charges, but paying the minimum on time still builds credit.
The second factor is credit utilization — how much of your available credit you are using. If your card has a $500 limit and you charge $450, your utilization is 90%, which hurts your score. Keeping utilization below 30% helps your score. With a secured card, this means charging no more than $150 on a $500 limit. With an authorized user account, you have no control over this, so it depends on the primary holder's spending.
After six months of on-time payments, you should have enough credit history to may have access to for a regular unsecured card or a small personal loan. After 12 to 24 months, you can convert a secured card to a regular card and get your deposit back. By that point, you will have a credit score in the 600s or higher, which opens the door to better rates on car loans, mortgages, and other borrowing.
Comparing Your Three Options
| Route | Cash Required | Time to Receive Card | Annual Fee | Who Controls Payments | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Card | $200–$2,500 deposit | 1–2 weeks | $0–$95 | You | Building credit independently with cash on hand |
| Authorized User | None | 5–7 days | None | Primary holder | Borrowing established credit history from family |
| Co-Signed Card | None | 2–3 weeks | Varies | You | Building credit with a co-signer's backing |
What Happens After You Build Credit
Once you have six to 12 months of on-time payments, you become may be able to access for regular unsecured credit cards with better terms. You can explore for cards with lower interest rates, no annual fee, or rewards like cash back. You can also close the original card (or convert it if it is a secured card) without damaging your credit, as long as you have another card open.
If you used a secured card, the issuer will return your deposit once the account is converted or closed. If you were an authorized user, removing yourself from the account does not hurt your score as long as you have other credit history on your report. If you used a co-signer, you can refinance or explore for a new card in your name alone once your score is strong enough.
The goal is not to have the most cards — it is to have a mix of credit types (a credit card, a car loan, or a personal loan) and a history of on-time payments. That combination gives you the highest credit score and the best rates on future borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with no credit if I have bad credit instead?
Yes, the same three routes work for bad credit too. A secured card is often the fastest path because it does not depend on your credit score — only on your ability to put down a deposit. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, your score will improve enough to may have access to for regular cards.
What if I do not have $200 to $2,500 for a secured card deposit?
Becoming an authorized user is your best option because it costs nothing and builds credit when ready. If that is not possible, some credit unions offer secured cards with deposits as low as $100, or you could save up for a few months and explore then. A co-signed card is another option if you have someone willing to co-sign.
Will becoming an authorized user hurt the primary cardholder's credit?
No, adding you as an authorized user does not hurt their score. It only helps if you use the card responsibly. If you make charges and the primary holder pays on time, both of your scores improve. If you run up a large balance or the primary holder misses payments, both scores drop.
Can I remove myself from a co-signed card later?
Most issuers do not allow you to remove a co-signer from an existing account. Your options are to close the card (which ends the co-signer's responsibility but may hurt your credit score if it is your oldest account) or to explore for a new card in your name alone once your credit is strong enough, then close the co-signed card.
How long does it take to build a credit score from zero?
Credit bureaus need at least one account with payment history to calculate a score, so you will have a score within one to two months of opening your first card. That initial score is usually in the 500s or 600s. Reaching 700 or higher typically takes 12 to 24 months of consistent on-time payments and low credit utilization.