You can get a credit card under 18, but only as an authorized user on someone else's account, or through a few banks that offer teen checking accounts with debit card features.
You cannot open a credit card in your own name until you turn 18. Federal law requires you to be a legal adult to sign a contract, and a credit card agreement is a contract. However, two paths exist for younger people who want to build credit or make purchases online: becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's account, or opening a teen account that functions like a debit card but reports to credit bureaus.
The authorized user route is faster and more common. Your parent or guardian applies for a credit card in their name, then adds you to the account. You receive your own card with your name on it, but the account holder is legally responsible for all charges. The account activity may appear on your credit report, which means on-time payments can help you build credit before you turn 18.
Key Takeaways
- Authorized user accounts let you use a credit card before 18, but the account holder remains responsible for all charges and debt.
- Some banks offer teen checking accounts with debit cards that report to credit bureaus, letting you build credit without a credit card.
- Being added as an authorized user can help or hurt your credit depending on whether the account is paid on time and how much of the credit limit is used.
- You must be 18 to open any account in your own name, including secured credit cards designed for people building credit.
How authorized user accounts work
When you become an authorized user, the account holder — usually a parent — adds you to their existing credit card account. The card issuer sends you a physical card with your name printed on it. You can use it to make purchases online or in stores, and the charges go to the account holder's bill.
The account holder controls the credit limit, payment schedule, and whether to remove you later. They see all your transactions and receive the monthly statement. You have no legal obligation to repay anything; the account holder is fully responsible, even if you made the purchase.
Most major card issuers allow authorized users at any age, though some set a minimum age of 13 or 16. Call the card issuer's customer service line to ask whether they accept authorized users under 18, and what age minimum they require. The process usually takes a few minutes over the phone or through the issuer's website.
How authorized user accounts affect your credit
The account's payment history and credit utilization — how much of the credit limit is being used — typically appear on your credit report once you are added. This means on-time payments build your credit score, and missed payments or high balances damage it.
Not all card issuers report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus. Before your parent adds you, ask the issuer whether they report authorized user activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If they do not, the account will not help your credit.
Being an authorized user on a well-managed account is one of the fastest ways to build credit before 18. However, if the account holder misses payments or carries a high balance, your credit score will suffer along with theirs. Choose an account holder with a strong payment history and low balance.
Teen checking accounts that build credit
A smaller number of banks offer teen checking accounts designed specifically for people under 18. These accounts come with a debit card, not a credit card, so you spend money you have already deposited rather than borrowing. However, some banks report the account activity to credit bureaus, which means responsible use can build your credit score.
Banks that offer credit-building teen accounts include Greenlight, Step, and some regional banks and credit unions. Each has different features: some require a parent to co-own the account, some charge monthly fees, and some offer tools like spending limits or purchase notifications. Check the bank's website or call to confirm whether they report to credit bureaus and what the minimum age requirement is.
The advantage of a teen checking account over an authorized user account is that you control your own money and cannot overspend. The disadvantage is that debit card activity does not build credit the same way credit card activity does, and fewer banks offer this feature than offer authorized user accounts.
What happens when you turn 18
On your 18th birthday, you become legally able to open a credit card in your own name. You do not have to wait for your birthday to pass; you can often explore a few weeks before you turn 18, and the card issuer will set up the account once you reach the legal age.
If you have been an authorized user on a well-managed account, you will have a credit history and a credit score. This makes it easier to open a credit card with a reasonable credit limit and interest rate. If you have no credit history, you may need to start with a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit as collateral.
You can remain an authorized user after you turn 18 if you want to. Some people keep the account to maintain their credit history length, while others close it to manage their finances separately. The choice is yours once you are a legal adult.
Risks of being an authorized user
The main risk is that you have no control over the account, but your credit is affected by it. If the account holder misses a payment, your credit score drops even though you did not make the decision. If they max out the credit card, your credit utilization ratio climbs, which lowers your score.
Another risk is that the account holder can remove you at any time without warning. If they do, the account may stay on your credit report for up to seven years, but you lose the benefit of its positive payment history going forward.
A third risk is overspending. Because you are not responsible for the bill, it is straightforward to make purchases without thinking about the total. Set a spending limit with the account holder before you receive the card, and check the balance regularly.
Alternatives if a parent cannot add you
If your parents do not have a credit card, or if they are unwilling to add you, a few other options exist. Some credit unions offer youth savings accounts that report to credit bureaus. Some banks offer student checking accounts with debit cards and credit-building features. A teen checking account from Greenlight or Step is another path.
You can also wait until you turn 18 and open a secured credit card in your own name. A secured card requires a cash deposit — usually $200 to $2,500 — which becomes your credit limit. You use it like a regular credit card, and after six to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
None of these alternatives build credit as quickly as an authorized user account on a well-managed credit card, but they are available if that route is not open to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my own credit card if I am 17?
No. Federal law requires you to be 18 to sign a contract, and a credit card agreement is a binding contract. You must wait until your 18th birthday. However, you can become an authorized user on someone else's card at any age, or open a teen checking account with a debit card.
Will being an authorized user hurt my credit?
Only if the account is mismanaged. On-time payments and low balances help your credit. Missed payments, high balances, or accounts sent to collections will damage your score. Ask the account holder about their payment history before you agree to be added.
Can the account holder see what I buy?
Yes. The account holder receives the monthly statement, which lists all purchases made on the card, including yours. They can also check the balance and transaction history online or by phone at any time.
What if I want to remove myself as an authorized user?
Call the card issuer and ask to be removed. The account holder does not have to approve this; you can request removal yourself once you understand the impact on your credit. The account may stay on your credit report for years after removal.
Do I need a Social Security number to be an authorized user?
Most card issuers ask for a Social Security number to add you to the account, but some do not. Call the issuer to ask what information they need. If you do not have a Social Security number, ask whether they can add you without one.