The Short Answer: Yes, But With Real Limits
You can get a credit card before you turn 18, but not in your own name alone. Federal law requires you to be 18 to sign a binding contract, and a credit card agreement is a contract. Your options are a secured card (where you deposit money upfront), becoming an authorized user on someone else's account, or opening a joint account with a parent or guardian who co-signs.
The card itself works the same way — you charge purchases, the bank sends you a bill, you pay it back. The difference is who is legally responsible if you don't pay. Before 18, that responsibility falls on the adult on the account with you.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to hold a credit card in your own name; under 18, you need a parent or guardian as a co-signer or authorized user arrangement.
- A secured card requires you to deposit $200 to $2,500 upfront, which becomes your credit limit, and reports to your credit history just like a regular card.
- As an authorized user on a parent's card, you get a card to use but the parent remains the account holder and is responsible for all charges.
- Your payment history on any card — secured, joint, or as an authorized user — builds your credit score starting immediately.
- Some banks offer student cards at 18 and up with no credit history required, so waiting until your birthday may be faster than a secured card.
Becoming an Authorized User on a Parent's Card
This is the easiest route if a parent or guardian already has a credit card. You call the bank, ask to add an authorized user, and the bank mails you a card in your name linked to their account. You can use it to make purchases, but the parent receives the bill and is responsible for paying it.
The parent can set limits — some banks let them cap your daily spending or block certain types of purchases. The parent can also remove you at any time. Your payment history on this card (whether payments are made on time or late) shows up on your credit report, so this is a real way to start building credit, but only if the parent pays the bill on time.
The downside: if the parent misses a payment or carries a high balance, that damage appears on your credit report too. You have no control over the account, only the ability to use the card.
Opening a Joint Account With a Co-Signer
A joint account means you and the parent both sign the agreement and both are legally responsible for the debt. The bank reports the account to both of your credit reports. This is different from being an authorized user — you have equal standing on the account, not just permission to use it.
Most banks do not offer joint credit cards to minors; this is more common with checking accounts or savings accounts. If a bank does offer it, you will need to visit a branch in person with the parent, bring identification, and sign paperwork. The parent will be asked about your income (which may be zero) and will likely need to show their own credit history.
The advantage is that you have a real stake in the account and can learn to manage it. The disadvantage is that the parent is equally liable — if you don't pay, the bank can pursue the parent for the full amount.
Getting a Secured Card in Your Own Name
A secured card is a real credit card that you hold in your own name, with no parent or guardian required. You deposit money into a savings account held by the bank — usually $200 to $2,500 — and that amount becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other card: charge purchases, receive a bill, pay it back.
The bank keeps your deposit as collateral. If you don't pay your bill, they can take the money from the deposit. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many banks will convert the card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. Some will let you keep the card as-is indefinitely.
The catch is that you need to be 18 to open the account. Some banks have lowered this to 16 or 17 with parental consent, but you will need to call and ask — it is not standard. If you are 16 or 17, a secured card may not be an option yet, which makes authorized user status your best choice.
What Happens to Your Credit Score
Every card you use — authorized user, joint, or secured — reports to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, the account may still report, but it depends on the bank and how the account is structured. Ask the bank directly whether the account will appear on your credit report.
On-time payments build your credit score. Late payments damage it. A high balance relative to your limit (called utilization) also hurts your score. If you are trying to build credit before 18, the goal is to use the card for small purchases you can pay off in full each month, so the payment is always on time and the balance is always low.
Your credit score matters later when you want to rent an apartment, buy a car, or get your own credit card. Starting early with a card you manage well gives you a head start.
Banks That Offer Cards to Minors
Most major banks do not advertise cards for under-18 customers, but some do offer them. Capital One, Discover, and a few regional banks have secured card programs that accept applicants as young as 16 or 17 with parental consent. Others require you to be 18.
Your best move is to call the customer service number on the bank's website and ask: "Do you offer secured cards to minors?" or "Can I become an authorized user on a parent's account?" Do not assume the answer is no because the website does not mention it. Many banks handle these requests by phone rather than online.
If the bank says no, ask whether they offer student cards at 18 with no credit history required. Many do, and waiting a few months until your birthday may be simpler than opening a secured card now.
What You Need to Know About Interest and Fees
A secured card charges interest just like a regular card. If you carry a balance (meaning you don't pay the full bill each month), you will owe interest on that balance. Secured cards often have higher interest rates than regular cards — sometimes 18% to 25% annually — because the bank sees you as higher risk.
Secured cards also charge an annual fee, usually $25 to $95 per year. Some waive the fee for the first year. There may be other fees: a late payment fee (typically $25 to $35), a fee for going over your limit, or a fee to set up the account.
Read the fee schedule before you open the card. If you are paying $50 a year in fees and carrying a balance, the card is costing you money. The point of a secured card is to build credit cheaply, so look for one with low or no annual fees and commit to paying the full balance each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 16?
You cannot hold a credit card in your own name at 16 because you cannot sign a legal contract. You can become an authorized user on a parent's card at any age, and some banks offer secured cards at 16 or 17 with parental consent. Call the bank to ask — it is not advertised widely.
What if my parent won't co-sign?
If no parent or guardian will help, you will have to wait until you turn 18. At that point, you can open a secured card on your own or a student card with no credit history required. Some employers offer employee credit cards; ask your manager if your workplace does.
Does being an authorized user hurt my credit?
No. Being an authorized user helps your credit if the account is paid on time and the balance is low. It hurts your credit only if the account is late or carries a very high balance. You have no control over this, so choose a parent with good payment habits.
Can I remove myself from a parent's card later?
Yes. You can ask the parent to call the bank and remove you as an authorized user at any time. Once you turn 18, you can also open your own card and stop using the parent's card. The account will stay on your credit report for seven years after it closes, but you are no longer responsible for charges.
What is the difference between a secured card and a regular card?
A secured card requires a cash deposit upfront that becomes your credit limit. A regular card does not. Both report to your credit history and charge interest if you carry a balance. After six to eighteen months of on-time payments, a secured card often converts to a regular card and your deposit is returned.