You can get a credit card with no credit by using a secured card, becoming an authorized user, or applying with a co-signer
A credit card issuer has no record of how you handle borrowed money, so they see you as a risk. Three routes exist to move past that: put down cash as collateral (a secured card), piggyback on someone else's established history (authorized user), or have someone with good credit co-sign the application. Each works differently, costs different amounts, and builds your credit at different speeds.
The fastest route depends on who you know and how much cash you have available. If you have $500 to $2,500 sitting aside, a secured card works immediately. If you have a parent or partner with good credit, becoming an authorized user on their card can show up on your credit report within weeks. A co-signed card sits between the two — it requires someone to take on legal responsibility for your debt, but you keep the card in your own name.
Key Takeaways
- A secured credit card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and most issuers report to all three credit bureaus so the card builds your credit history.
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else's card adds their payment history to your credit report, but you have no control over the account and no legal responsibility for the debt.
- A co-signed card means the co-signer is legally responsible if you don't pay, so they see your full statement and you both build credit from the same account.
- Secured cards typically charge annual fees between $0 and $95, while authorized user and co-signed routes have no extra cost beyond the card's standard annual fee.
- After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, most secured card issuers will convert your account to a standard card and return your deposit.
How a Secured Credit Card Works
You deposit cash with the card issuer, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $1,000, your limit is $1,000. You then use the card like any other — charge purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay your bill. The issuer holds your deposit in a separate account and does not touch it unless you stop paying your bill entirely.
The card issuer reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (the three major credit bureaus), so every on-time payment builds your credit score. After 6 to 18 months of consistent payments, most issuers will convert the account to a standard unsecured card, return your deposit, and raise your credit limit based on your payment history.
Secured cards charge annual fees that range from $0 to $95 depending on the issuer. Some also charge interest on purchases if you carry a balance, just like a standard card. The deposit itself is not a fee — it is your money, held in reserve. Compare the annual fee, interest rate, and conversion timeline before you choose. Cards with no annual fee exist, though they are less common.
Becoming an Authorized User on Someone Else's Card
An authorized user is someone added to an existing credit card account. You receive a card in your name, can make purchases, but the account holder (the primary cardholder) is responsible for paying the bill. The card issuer reports the account's payment history to the credit bureaus under your name, so you build credit based on how the primary cardholder pays.
This route works fastest if the primary cardholder has good credit and pays on time consistently. Their positive history transfers to your credit report within weeks or months. You have no legal obligation to pay the bill, and you do not see the full statement unless the primary cardholder shares it with you.
The downside is that you have no control over the account. If the primary cardholder misses a payment or runs up a high balance, your credit takes the hit too. You also cannot remove yourself from the account without the primary cardholder's permission — they have to contact the issuer and request it. Before you ask someone to add you, make sure you trust their payment habits.
Using a Co-Signer for a Standard Credit Card
A co-signer is someone with established credit who signs the application alongside you. They are legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. The card is in your name, you receive the statement, and you make the payments — but the co-signer's credit is on the line.
Most major issuers do not offer co-signed cards anymore, so your options are limited. Some credit unions and smaller banks still do. The advantage is that you own the account outright and build your own credit history from the start. The disadvantage is that the co-signer takes real risk, and if you miss a payment, it damages both your credit and theirs.
Before asking someone to co-sign, understand that they will see your full statement and your payment history. Some co-signers want to monitor the account to protect themselves. Make sure you are ready for that level of oversight and that the co-signer understands the legal obligation they are taking on.
What Credit Bureaus See and When
When you open a secured card or become an authorized user, the issuer reports the account to the credit bureaus. This report includes the account opening date, your credit limit (or the deposit amount), your current balance, and your payment history. Each on-time payment adds a positive mark to your credit report.
Credit bureaus use this information to calculate your credit score. With no credit history, your score starts at zero or does not exist. After three to six months of reported payment history, you will have enough data for the bureaus to generate a score. After 12 to 18 months of on-time payments, your score typically rises into the "fair" range (roughly 580 to 669, though ranges vary by scoring model).
Hard inquiries (the check an issuer runs when you apply) also appear on your credit report and can lower your score slightly. Multiple applications within a short time period count as multiple inquiries. Space out applications by at least a few weeks if you are considering more than one card.
Comparing Costs Across the Three Routes
| Route | Upfront Cost | Annual Fee | Time to Build Credit | Control Over Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Card | $500–$2,500 deposit (returned) | $0–$95 | 6–18 months to convert | Full control |
| Authorized User | None | None (depends on primary cardholder's card) | Weeks to months | No control |
| Co-Signed Card | None | Varies by issuer | Immediate (your own account) | Full control |
The secured card route costs the most upfront but gives you full control and a clear path to a standard card. The authorized user route costs nothing but depends on someone else's behavior. The co-signed route costs nothing but is hard to find and requires someone to take on legal risk.
Choose based on what you have available right now. If you have cash and no one to ask, go secured. If you have a trusted family member with good credit, authorized user is faster. If you know someone willing to co-sign and you can find an issuer that offers it, you build your own account history from day one.
What Happens After You Build Credit
Once your credit score reaches the "fair" to "good" range (typically after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments), you become may be able to access for standard credit cards without a deposit or co-signer. At that point, you can apply for cards with better rewards, lower interest rates, or both.
If you used a secured card, the issuer will likely offer to convert it automatically. You do not have to accept — you can keep the secured card if it has good terms, or close it and move to a new card. If you became an authorized user, you can keep that account open (it continues to help your credit) and apply for your own card separately. If you used a co-signer, you can apply for a card in your own name and remove the co-signer from your credit profile.
Keep the account you used to build credit open even after you move to a new card. The longer an account stays open with on-time payments, the more it helps your credit score. Closing it can actually lower your score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and removes an account from your history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the secured card to make purchases, or can I just leave the deposit sitting there?
You have to use the card and make purchases to build credit. The credit bureaus report your payment history, which means they need to see that you charged something and paid it back. Leaving the deposit untouched builds no credit history. Aim to use the card for small, regular purchases — groceries, gas, a subscription — and pay the full balance each month.
Can I become an authorized user on multiple cards at once?
Yes. If you have multiple family members or friends willing to add you, you can be an authorized user on several accounts. This can speed up your credit building, but it also means your credit depends on multiple people's payment habits. If any of them miss a payment, your score drops. Start with one trusted person and add more only if you need to.
What if the person I want to co-sign with has bad credit themselves?
Most issuers will not approve a co-signed application if the co-signer's credit is poor. The whole point of a co-signer is that they have established good credit to offset your lack of history. If the co-signer has fair or bad credit, you are better off with a secured card instead.
How long does it take to get approved for a secured card?
Most secured card issuers make a decision within one to three business days. Once approved, the card arrives in the mail within 5 to 10 business days. You then deposit the cash, and the card is active. The entire process from application to first purchase typically takes two to three weeks.
Will closing my first credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, closing a card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and removes an account from your history. Wait until your credit score is solid (usually 12 to 24 months of on-time payments) before closing the account. Even then, consider keeping it open if the annual fee is low or zero.