You can get a credit card at 17, but only with a co-signer, and the card will be in both your names
Most credit card issuers require you to be 18 to open an account in your own name. At 17, you have two real paths: become an authorized user on someone else's card, or open a joint account where a parent or guardian co-signs with you. The co-signer is legally responsible for the debt, so most issuers treat this seriously and may run a credit check on them, not just you.
Being an authorized user is simpler and faster. Your parent or guardian adds you to their existing card, and you get your own card linked to their account. You can use it when ready, but they control the limit and see every transaction. A joint account is different — you both own it equally, you both build credit history from it, and you're both liable if the balance goes unpaid.
Key Takeaways
- At 17, you cannot open a credit card alone; you need a parent or guardian to co-sign or add you as an authorized user.
- As an authorized user, you can use the card right away, but the primary account holder controls the limit and receives all statements.
- A joint account means you and your co-signer both own the card and both build credit, but you're also both responsible for any debt.
- Your co-signer's credit score and income matter more than yours because the issuer is lending based on their creditworthiness.
- Turning 18 lets you open your own card without a co-signer, though your first solo card may have a lower limit or higher interest rate.
Becoming an Authorized User on a Parent's Card
This is the fastest way to get a card at 17. Your parent or guardian calls their card issuer or logs into their online account and requests to add you as an authorized user. Most issuers process this in minutes to a few business days. You'll receive a card in your name linked to their account, and you can start using it right away.
The account remains in your parent's name. They see every charge you make, they set or approve the credit limit, and they receive the monthly statement. If the balance isn't paid, it affects their credit score, not yours — though you're not building credit history from this card either, since it's not in your name. Some issuers do report authorized user activity to credit bureaus, which means your credit score can improve from on-time payments, but this varies by card and issuer.
This arrangement works well if you want to build spending habits under supervision or need a card for emergencies. The downside is you have no control over the account and no legal claim to it. If your parent closes it or removes you, the card stops working when ready.
Opening a Joint Credit Card Account at 17
A joint account means you and your co-signer both explore together and both sign the paperwork. The card is issued in both names, you both receive statements, and you both have equal rights to the account. The issuer will check your co-signer's credit score and income because they're the one the lender is actually counting on to repay the debt.
The advantage is that this account builds your own credit history from day one. Every on-time payment strengthens your credit score, and when you turn 18 and want your own card, you'll have a track record. The disadvantage is that your co-signer is fully liable if you don't pay. If you miss a payment, it damages both your credit scores and both of you can be pursued for the debt.
Joint accounts are less common than authorized user arrangements because they carry more risk for the co-signer. Some issuers don't offer them at all for applicants under 18. Call the issuer directly to ask whether they allow joint accounts with a minor; don't assume based on their website.
What Issuers Look at When You're 17
Credit card companies care far more about your co-signer than about you. They'll pull your co-signer's credit report, check their income, and verify their employment. They may ask for recent pay stubs or tax returns. Your own credit history probably doesn't exist yet, so they're not evaluating you on that basis.
Some issuers will ask about your income or employment, but this is often a formality. If you work part-time, have that information ready. If you don't work, your co-signer's income is what matters. The issuer is essentially asking: if this 17-year-old doesn't pay, can the adult co-signer cover it?
Your age itself is not a barrier — the barrier is that you're a minor and the issuer needs a legal adult to may provide the debt. Once you turn 18, you can explore alone and the issuer will evaluate you based on your own credit history, income, and credit score.
Building Credit at 17 With a Card
If you're an authorized user, your credit may or may not improve depending on whether the issuer reports to the credit bureaus. Call the card issuer and ask: "Does this card report authorized user activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion?" If yes, your credit score can benefit. If no, you're using the card but not building history.
With a joint account, you're definitely building credit. Every payment on time adds to your credit score. Every late payment or missed payment damages it. This is real credit-building, which means real responsibility. If you're not ready to pay on time every month, a joint account is not the right move.
Either way, keep the balance low relative to the credit limit. If the limit is $500 and you carry a $400 balance, that looks risky to future lenders. Aim to use less than 30 percent of the limit and pay it off in full each month if you can.
What Happens When You Turn 18
If you're an authorized user, nothing changes automatically. You remain an authorized user on your parent's card unless they remove you. You can ask to become a co-owner or to open your own card at that point, but the issuer won't convert the account for you.
If you have a joint account, you can ask the issuer to convert it to an account in your name alone once you turn 18. Some issuers do this automatically; others require you to call and request it. At that point, your co-signer is removed and you become solely responsible for the debt. Your credit history from that card stays with you.
Once you're 18, you can open your own card without a co-signer. Your first solo card may have a lower limit or a higher interest rate than an established cardholder would get, but you can build from there. If you've been building credit as an authorized user or joint account holder, your credit score will help you may have access to for better terms.
Choosing Between Authorized User and Joint Account
Ask yourself: do you want to build your own credit history, or do you mainly need a card to use? If you want credit history, a joint account is better, but it requires real responsibility and your co-signer's trust. If you mainly want a card for spending and your parent is willing to supervise, authorized user is simpler and lower-risk for both of you.
Talk to your co-signer about what they're comfortable with. A parent who adds you as an authorized user is giving you a tool; a parent who co-signs a joint account is taking on legal liability. Make sure they understand the difference and feel confident in your ability to use the card responsibly.
Some families do both: start with authorized user status to learn how to use a card, then move to a joint account or your own card once you've shown you can handle it. There's no rule against this, and it's often the safest path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 without a parent or guardian?
No. Credit card issuers require you to be 18 to open an account in your own name. At 17, you must have a co-signer or become an authorized user on someone else's card. There are no exceptions to this rule among major issuers.
Will being an authorized user hurt my parent's credit score?
No. Adding you as an authorized user doesn't change your parent's credit score. However, if you use the card and the balance isn't paid on time, it will hurt their score because it's their account. Your behavior on the card affects their credit, not the other way around.
What if my co-signer has bad credit?
Most issuers will deny the process if the co-signer's credit score is too low. There's no fixed cutoff, but generally a score below 600 makes approval unlikely. If your co-signer has bad credit, they may need to improve it first, or you may need to find a different co-signer with better credit.
Can I remove my co-signer from a joint account later?
Not directly. Once you turn 18, you can ask the issuer to convert the joint account to an account in your name alone, which effectively removes your co-signer. Some issuers do this; others may require you to close the account and open a new one. Call your issuer to ask about their process.
Does being an authorized user build credit if I never use the card?
It depends on the issuer. If they report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus, your credit score can improve just from the account existing and staying in good standing, even if you never swipe the card. Call the issuer to confirm they report to all three bureaus before counting on this.