You can get a credit card without an existing credit history by using a secured card, becoming an authorized user, or explore with a co-signer
Banks and card issuers have no way to know whether you will pay them back if you have never borrowed money before. A secured credit card solves this by requiring you to deposit cash upfront — typically $200 to $2,500 — which becomes your credit limit. You keep the deposit in a savings account at the bank while you use the card normally. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer converts it to a regular unsecured card and returns your deposit.
If you do not want to put down a deposit, you can ask someone with established credit to add you as an authorized user on their existing card. Their payment history then appears on your credit report, which can help you may have access to for your own card later. A third option is to explore with a co-signer — someone who agrees to pay the balance if you do not — though fewer issuers offer this route now.
Key Takeaways
- A secured card requires a cash deposit that matches your credit limit, and most issuers convert it to an unsecured card after consistent on-time payments.
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card adds their payment history to your credit report without requiring you to open your own account.
- Some card issuers offer student cards or cards designed for people building credit, which may not require a deposit or co-signer.
- Your first card's credit limit will be low — usually $300 to $500 — but it will increase as you build a payment record.
- Every on-time payment is reported to the three credit bureaus and begins establishing the credit history you need for better rates and higher limits later.
How a Secured Credit Card Works
When you open a secured card, you deposit money into a linked savings account at the issuing bank. That deposit amount becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, your limit is $500. You then use the card like any other credit card: make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it back. The bank reports your payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the three major credit bureaus.
The deposit stays in the bank's account and earns a small amount of interest, but you cannot touch it while the card is active. After you have made on-time payments for 6 to 18 months — the timeline varies by issuer — the bank reviews your account. If your payment history is clean, they convert the card to a standard unsecured card, return your deposit, and you keep using the same account.
Secured cards typically charge an annual fee of $25 to $95, though some have no annual fee. Interest rates are higher than standard cards — often 18% to 24% — but if you pay your full balance each month, the rate does not matter. The goal is to build credit, not to carry a balance.
Becoming an Authorized User on Someone Else's Card
An authorized user is someone added to an existing cardholder's account who can use the card but is not legally responsible for the debt. The primary cardholder remains liable for all charges. When you are added as an authorized user, the card's entire payment history — going back months or years — is reported to the credit bureaus under your name.
This is the fastest way to build credit if someone with good payment history is willing to add you. You do not need to make a deposit, pay an annual fee, or may have access to on your own. Within 30 to 45 days, the account should appear on your credit report. If the primary cardholder has been paying on time, your credit score will likely improve when ready.
The risk is that if the primary cardholder misses a payment or runs up a high balance, it damages your credit too. Choose someone you trust completely — ideally a family member or close friend who manages their finances carefully. Some issuers allow you to request removal if the arrangement is not working, though this varies by bank.
Using a Co-Signer to Get Approved
A co-signer is someone who signs the credit card agreement alongside you and agrees to pay the full balance if you do not. Unlike an authorized user, a co-signer is legally responsible for the debt from day one. This makes banks more willing to approve you, because they have a backup source of payment.
Co-signed cards are less common than they were five years ago — many major issuers have stopped offering them — but some regional banks and credit unions still do. If you find an issuer that accepts co-signers, the co-signer's credit is checked, and both of your names appear on the account. Payments are reported to both credit reports.
The downside is that the co-signer's credit is affected by your account, and they are on the hook if you miss a payment. This is a bigger commitment than being an authorized user, so it should be a last resort if you cannot may have access to for a secured card or find an authorized user arrangement.
Student Cards and Cards for People Building Credit
Some issuers offer cards specifically designed for students or people with no credit history. These cards often have no annual fee and no deposit requirement, making them easier to may have access to for than secured cards. Discover, Capital One, and several credit unions offer versions of these cards.
Student cards typically require proof of enrollment at a college or university. Cards marketed for people building credit have no enrollment requirement but may have higher interest rates and lower credit limits than standard cards. Both report to the credit bureaus, so they work the same way as a secured card in terms of building your credit history.
The trade-off is that these cards are harder to find — not every issuer offers them — and the terms vary widely. If you can may have access to for one, it may be simpler than a secured card because you avoid the deposit. But if you cannot find one in your area or from an issuer you trust, a secured card is a reliable backup.
What to Do After You Get Your First Card
Your first card will have a low credit limit, usually $300 to $500. This is normal and not a reflection of your worth as a borrower. Use the card for small, regular purchases — groceries, gas, a subscription — and pay the full balance every month. This shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly.
Do not max out the card or carry a balance to "build credit faster." Paying interest does not help your credit; on-time payments do. Keep your balance well below your limit — ideally under 30% of your credit limit — because credit bureaus track your utilization rate, and high utilization lowers your score.
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, contact the issuer and ask for a credit limit increase. Many will grant one without a hard inquiry, which means your credit score is not affected. As your limit grows and your credit history lengthens, you become may be able to access for better cards with lower interest rates and better rewards.
Documents and Information You Will Need
To open any credit card — secured or unsecured — you will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. The issuer will run a soft inquiry (which does not affect your credit score) to verify your identity and check for fraud.
For a secured card, you will also need to fund the deposit, which you can usually do by linking a bank account or transferring funds online. For a co-signed card, your co-signer will need to provide their Social Security number and consent to a hard inquiry, which does affect their credit score temporarily.
If you are explore as a student, have your student ID or enrollment verification ready. Most issuers let you upload these documents during the online process, though some may ask you to mail them in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build credit with a new card?
Credit bureaus need at least one on-time payment to create a credit score, which usually takes 30 to 45 days. Your score will improve gradually over 6 to 12 months as you build a longer payment history. A secured card or authorized user arrangement can show results within two to three months if the account is reported promptly.
Will getting a secured card hurt my credit score?
Opening any new credit account triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points temporarily. But this dip recovers within a few months, and the on-time payments that follow raise your score faster than the inquiry lowered it. The long-term benefit of building credit history outweighs the short-term dip.
Can I use a secured card at the same bank where I have a checking account?
Yes, and it is often simpler because the bank already knows you. Many banks offer secured cards to their own customers with lower deposits or faster approval. Check with your current bank first before explore elsewhere.
What happens if I miss a payment on my first card?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and will lower your credit score significantly. It also triggers late fees and may cause the issuer to close the account or convert it back to a regular deposit-based card. If you miss a payment, pay it as soon as possible — even a few days late is better than weeks late.
Can I have both a secured card and be an authorized user at the same time?
Yes. Having multiple accounts in your name — as long as you pay all of them on time — actually helps your credit score because it shows you can manage different types of credit. Start with whichever option is available to you first, then add the other after a few months.