You can get a credit card at 17, but only with a parent or guardian as a co-signer
Credit card companies will not issue a card in your name alone until you turn 18. At 17, your only path is to have a parent or guardian co-sign the process. When someone co-signs, they become legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay — so this is a real commitment on their part, and most parents will want to understand what you plan to use the card for before they agree.
The card itself will have both your name and your co-signer's name on it. You can use it to build a credit history starting now, which means your credit score will begin forming before you turn 18. This is genuinely useful: if you start with good payment habits at 17, you will have a head start when you explore for your own card, a car loan, or an apartment lease later.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a parent or guardian co-sign any credit card process at 17; the card issuer will not approve an process from a minor alone.
- Your co-signer is legally responsible for all charges and payments, so they need to understand the terms before they sign.
- Payments you make at 17 will show up on your credit report, so on-time payments now build your credit score before you turn 18.
- Some issuers have specific co-signer programs; others will co-sign a regular card, so you may need to call and ask rather than explore online.
- A secured card (one backed by a cash deposit) is sometimes easier to get approved for than an unsecured card, even with a co-signer.
How co-signing works and what your parent needs to know
When your parent or guardian co-signs, the credit card company runs a credit check on them, not on you. The issuer is really lending to your co-signer and trusting them to supervise your use of the card. This means your co-signer's credit score, income, and payment history are what determine whether you get approved — your age and lack of credit history are no longer the barrier.
Your co-signer should understand that they can be pursued for the full balance if you stop paying. If you miss a payment, it will show up on their credit report as well as yours. If the debt goes to a collection agency, the agency can sue your co-signer. This is not theoretical risk; it happens regularly when young cardholders run up balances they cannot pay.
Before your parent signs, they should ask the card issuer: Can they remove themselves as co-signer later, or are they locked in for the life of the account? Some issuers allow co-signers to be released after a certain number of on-time payments (often 12 to 24 months), while others do not. Knowing this upfront matters.
Which card issuers will work with a 17-year-old co-signer applicant
Not every credit card company has a clear co-signer program. Major issuers like Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and Capital One do accept co-signed applications, but the process and terms vary. Some will let you explore online with a co-signer; others require you to call or visit a branch in person.
Before you and your parent spend time on an process, call the issuer's customer service line and ask directly: "Can a 17-year-old get a card with a co-signer, and what is the process?" This saves you from filling out an process only to be told no. Write down the name of the person you speak to and the date, in case you need to reference the conversation later.
If a major issuer turns you down, a secured credit card is often easier to get approved for. With a secured card, you deposit cash (usually $200 to $2,500) into a savings account, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. Secured cards still require a co-signer at 17, but issuers approve them more readily because the risk is lower — they hold your cash as collateral.
What happens to your credit report when you are a co-signed cardholder
Every payment you make (or miss) on a co-signed card shows up on your credit report under your name. This is the main reason to get a card at 17: you start building a credit history three years earlier than if you wait until 18. By the time you turn 21, you could have four years of payment history, which lenders will see as a sign of responsibility.
The flip side is that missed payments, late fees, and high balances also show up on your report at 17. A single missed payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. If you are not ready to make payments on time every month, do not ask your parent to co-sign yet.
Your co-signer's credit report will also show the account. If you carry a high balance, it counts against their available credit and can lower their score. If you miss a payment, it damages their score directly. This is why your parent needs to monitor the account and have a plan for what happens if you cannot pay.
Setting limits and rules before you use the card
Before the card arrives, sit down with your co-signer and agree on what the card is for. Is it for emergencies only? For gas and groceries? For building credit while you work a part-time job? The clearer the agreement, the less likely conflict becomes later.
Many parents set a spending limit lower than the card's actual credit limit — for example, "you can charge $500 a month, but the card has a $2,000 limit." This gives you room to use the card without running up a balance you cannot pay. Some parents ask to see the statement each month or set up account alerts so they know when you make a charge.
Agree on who pays the bill. If you are working, you should pay it yourself — this teaches you that spending has a cost. If your parent pays it, make sure you understand that they are covering your debt, and that this is a privilege, not a right. Either way, the bill must be paid in full or on time every single month, with no exceptions.
What to do if your co-signer will not agree
If your parent or guardian is not comfortable co-signing, that is a valid decision. They may have their own debt, a lower credit score, or straightforward not want the legal responsibility. Do not pressure them or ask another relative to co-sign instead without talking to your parent first.
Instead, wait until you turn 18. At 18, you can explore for a card on your own. You will likely be offered a card with a lower credit limit and a higher interest rate than someone with established credit, but you will not need a co-signer. Many issuers have student cards designed for people just starting out, and these are easier to get approved for than premium cards.
In the meantime, you can build credit in other ways. If your parent has a credit card, ask if you can be added as an authorized user (not a co-signer). As an authorized user, you can use the card, but your parent remains the account holder and is responsible for all charges. This shows up on your credit report and helps you build history without the legal risk to your parent.
Understanding the terms before you sign
Before your parent co-signs, both of you should read the card's terms and conditions. Pay attention to the interest rate (called the APR), any annual fee, late payment fees, and what happens if you go over your credit limit. Write down the APR — this is the cost of borrowing money on the card if you carry a balance.
Ask the issuer to explain the grace period. Most cards give you 21 to 25 days to pay your bill before interest starts. If you pay the full balance by the due date every month, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily at the APR rate. At 17, you should understand this before you use the card.
Also ask about the co-signer release policy in writing. Get the issuer to send you a document that explains when and how a co-signer can be removed. This protects both you and your parent from confusion later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 without a co-signer?
No. Credit card companies require cardholders to be at least 18 years old to sign a contract in their own name. At 17, a parent or guardian must co-sign the process. Some issuers may make exceptions for emancipated minors, but this is rare and requires legal documentation.
Will my co-signer's credit score affect whether I get approved?
Yes, completely. The issuer approves or denies the process based on your co-signer's credit score, income, and payment history. Your age and lack of credit history are not the deciding factor — your co-signer's creditworthiness is. If your co-signer has poor credit, you will likely be denied.
Can my co-signer remove themselves from the card later?
Sometimes, but not always. Some issuers allow co-signers to be released after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments. Others do not offer release at all. Ask the issuer this question before you explore, and get the answer in writing.
What if I miss a payment on a co-signed card?
The missed payment shows up on both your credit report and your co-signer's credit report. Your co-signer is legally responsible for paying the debt, and the issuer can pursue them for the full balance. A single missed payment can lower both of your credit scores significantly.
Is a secured card easier to get approved for at 17?
Yes. Secured cards require a cash deposit that serves as collateral, so issuers approve them more readily even with a young co-signer. You still need a co-signer at 17, but a secured card is a realistic option if a regular card issuer turns you down.