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You have to be at least 18 years old to apply for a credit card in the U.S., technically. But for most people, the answer is that you probably must be 21 or older.
Here’s why.
U.S. federal law — specifically, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 — limits when credit card issuers can consider a young adult for credit card approval. There are two ages to know:
18 years old
Consumers can apply for credit cards starting at age 18, but the law requires them to have an independent income or a co-signer. However, most major issuers don’t allow co-signers anymore. So, a person aged 18, 19 or 20 usually has to earn and prove their own income before being approved for a credit card. The amount of income isn’t specified in the law, but it has to be enough to independently make minimum payments on the account. That means young adults who get a full-time job right out of high school, for example, might qualify.
21 years old
Restrictions for independent income or a co-signer drop off at age 21. So, as a practical matter, many young adults — full-time college students, for example — will be waiting until they’re at least 21 before applying for a credit card in their own name.
Options if you’re under 21
If you don’t have the required independent income, your choices are narrowed.
Authorized user
If you’re not old enough to apply for a credit card yet — or you’re a parent trying to establish a credit history for a child under 21 — often your best option is to make the young adult an authorized user on the credit card account of a parent or other person with good credit.
As an authorized user, the young adult can carry and use a card, but won’t be responsible for making payments. Even so, authorized user status can help them build their own credit history. It’s sometimes called credit piggybacking. Card issuers determine what age the youngster must be to become an authorized user. Some don’t specify, while others set it at 13 or 15 years old.
» MORE: Which credit cards help authorized users build credit?
Co-signer
You could also try the exemption in the law if you’re at least 18: Apply for a credit card account with a co-signer. A co-signer is someone with good credit and income who guarantees that they will pay your credit card balance if you don’t. Most major card issuers don’t allow co-signers, but a few do. And you might have better luck with smaller banks and credit unions.
» MORE: Which credit card issuers allow a co-signer?
Age is only the beginning
Simply being old enough to apply for a credit card doesn’t mean you’ll be approved. Most major card issuers also heavily weigh credit scores and your income.
» MORE: How to apply for a credit card so you’ll get approved
Credit cards young adults could apply for
If you’re at least 21 but have a little or no credit history, you still have choices.
Secured credit cards
Secured credit cards require an upfront security deposit, usually equal to the credit limit. The deposit protects the issuer if you fail to make your payments. You get the deposit back when you close or upgrade the account. Secured cards are for people looking to build or rebuild credit, so income requirements tend to be more relaxed. The idea is to build your credit and eventually transition to an unsecured card — otherwise known as a normal credit card.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s best secured credit cards
Student credit cards
You’ll generally need access to income, and if you have shaky credit or no credit history at all, you may find it hard to get approved. But some cards offer perks to college students.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s best college student credit cards
Alternative credit cards
In recent years, several "alternative credit cards" have come to market, advertising nontraditional underwriting policies to assess creditworthiness. While these cards may be good options for those with limited or no credit, you'll still have to meet income requirements, as you would with traditional credit card issuers. They do not require deposits.
» MORE: Can’t get a credit card? Try these alternative options
What’s next?
At what age should I get a credit card?
How to get credit when you have none
How to report income on your credit card application
Do I need an income or job to qualify for a credit card?
Can credit card companies tell if you lie on an application?
FAQs
Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following. You have to be at least 18 years old to apply for a credit card in the U.S., but if you're under 21, it may be difficult to get approved.
How old do I need to be to get a credit card? ›
Consumers can apply for credit cards starting at age 18, but the law requires them to have an independent income or a co-signer. However, most major issuers don't allow co-signers anymore. So, a person aged 18, 19 or 20 usually has to earn and prove their own income before being approved for a credit card.
Can you be 13 and have a credit card? ›
Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter into credit card agreements, but many card issuers will allow minors to become authorized card users. Some issuers have minimum age requirements, that necessitate authorized users must be at least 13 or 16 years old.
How old do you have to be when you get your credit card? ›
Eligibility Requirements for Credit Cards
Firstly, you will need to be 18 or older. Once you've proved this (if necessary), your credit card provider will need to verify the health of your credit score, income, and debt history.
What percent of 8 14 year olds have a credit card? ›
Credit and debt statistics
17 percent of children aged 8 to 14 years have a credit card, and 19 percent in this age group have a checking account (T. Rowe Price) 73 percent of parents indicate they talk regularly with their children about saving and spending habits (T. Rowe Price).
Can a 16 year old own a credit card? ›
Bottom Line. It's possible to get a first credit card at a young age by becoming an authorized user on a parent's account, but the legal age to apply for your own credit card is 18. 18- to 20-year-olds must apply with a co-signer (which not all banks allow) or with proof of income.
Can a 11 year old get a credit card? ›
Key takeaways. Because people under age 18 can't open their own credit cards, you can't technically open a whole new credit card in your child's name — but you can still add them to yours.
Is it OK for a 12 year old to have a credit card? ›
Kids younger than 18 can't open their own credit card. But they may be able to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. An authorized user is someone a cardholder has permitted to use their account.
Can I add my 10 year old to my credit card? ›
Most credit card issuers allow children under 18 years to be added as authorized users on a credit card and some don't have any age restrictions whatsoever. Adding your kids as authorized users on your credit cards may seem counterintuitive to the concept of financial independence.
Can I get my kid a credit card? ›
While a minor cannot legally get their own credit card until they hit 18 and show proof of a steady source of income, adding your child to your card as an authorized user can help them start building a credit history and credit score so they won't be starting from zero once they hit that coming-of-age mark.
Nearly 1 in 5 American teenagers ages 13 to 17 now has a credit card, and the majority of them use their card at least once a week, according to research from TransUnion.
Is it bad to have 2 credit cards at 18? ›
Students need to be cautious about acquiring too many credit cards if they're not confident in their ability to manage them responsibly. Having too many cards can lead to overspending and potential financial trouble. Remember that each credit card may come with fees, such as annual or foreign transaction fees.
Is 14% high for a credit card? ›
A 14% APR is not high for a credit card, as it is below the average APR for new credit card offers. Credit card APRs can still be much lower, though, and some cards offer an introductory 0% APR for a certain number of months.
What is the youngest age to have a credit score? ›
Does your child have a credit score? Typically, only people over the age of 18 have a credit score — but it is possible for minors to have a credit report. A person under 18 can have a credit report if : Their identity was stolen and used to open one or more credit accounts.
Can a 15 year old get a credit or debit card? ›
Teens get the responsibility of handling their own finances without the risk of unfiltered access to a standard debit or credit card (there aren't any credit cards for kids because you need to be 18 to get a credit card in most cases, but in some cases it is possible to make kids under 18 authorized users on credit ...
What credit card can a 17 year old get? ›
Authorized users age requirements
| Product | Minimum age for authorized user | Authorized user fee |
|---|
| Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | 18+ | Free |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | No minimum | Free |
| Discover it® Chrome for Students | 15+ | Free |
| Discover it® Secured | 15+ | Free |
4 more rows5 days ago
Start building credit as a teen
If you're under 18, the main path forward is becoming an authorized user on a family member's account. If you're 18 or older, other options include a secured credit card or a credit builder loan. If you're already thinking about building credit at your age, you're on the right path!
Can a 17 year old get a Discover card? ›
From family members to friends, at Discover, a primary account holder may add authorized users 15 and older to their credit card account. While you can get access to a credit card as an authorized user before the age of 18, you're limited to using a card someone else has chosen and allowed you to access.
