Minors cannot get a credit card in their own name, but there are real ways to build credit before turning 18
A minor — anyone under 18 — cannot sign a legal contract, and a credit card agreement is a contract. Banks will not issue a card to someone who cannot be held legally responsible for the debt. This is not a rule that changes by state or by bank; it is federal law under the Truth in Lending Act.
That said, minors can start building a credit history right now. The most common routes are becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card, opening a secured credit card with a parent as a co-signer, or using a teen checking account that reports to credit bureaus. Each one works differently and carries different tradeoffs.
Key Takeaways
- A minor cannot hold a credit card contract alone, but can be added as an authorized user on a parent's card and begin building credit history immediately.
- Authorized user status reports to your credit report if the parent's card issuer reports it to the bureaus — not all do — so confirm before asking.
- A secured credit card with a parent as co-signer requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $500) and reports to all three credit bureaus, building real credit history.
- Some banks offer teen checking accounts that report payment history to credit bureaus, creating a credit file without a credit card.
- The goal before 18 is to have a credit history started so you can get your own card or loan at a better rate once you turn 18.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
This is the easiest entry point. Your parent or guardian calls their card issuer and asks to add you as an authorized user. You receive a card with your name on it, linked to their account. You can use it, but your parent is legally responsible for all charges. The debt is theirs, not yours.
The credit-building part depends on whether the issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Many do, but not all. If they do, your credit report will show the account's payment history, credit limit, and balance — all of which help build your score. If they do not, being an authorized user does nothing for your credit.
Before asking your parent to add you, have them call their card issuer or check their online account to confirm they report authorized users to the bureaus. Major issuers like Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Discover do report this; smaller banks and credit unions vary. If they do not, this route will not help your credit.
One risk: if your parent misses payments or runs up a high balance, that damage appears on your credit report too. You benefit from their good behavior and suffer from their bad behavior. This is why it matters that your parent is someone who pays on time.
Getting a secured credit card with a co-signer
A secured credit card requires you to put down a cash deposit — usually between $200 and $500 — that the bank holds as collateral. Your credit limit is typically equal to your deposit. You use the card like any other card, make monthly payments, and the bank reports your activity to all three credit bureaus.
Because you are a minor, you will need a parent or guardian to co-sign. A co-signer is legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. This is different from an authorized user: the co-signer's credit is on the line, and the debt appears on both your credit report and theirs.
Banks that offer secured cards to minors with co-signers include Discover, Capital One, and some credit unions. The deposit sits in a separate account and earns little or no interest, but you get it back once you have built enough credit history — usually after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments — and the issuer converts you to a regular unsecured card.
This route builds real credit history because you are the one making the payments and the account is in your name. It also teaches you how a credit card actually works: you charge, you get a bill, you pay it. The risk is that if you miss a payment, it damages both your credit and your co-signer's credit, and your co-signer is on the hook for the full balance.
Teen checking accounts that report to credit bureaus
Some banks offer checking accounts designed for teenagers that report payment history to credit bureaus. Chime, for example, offers a teen checking account that builds credit without a credit card. You deposit money, use a debit card to spend it, and the bank reports your account status to the bureaus.
This is a lower-risk way to start a credit file because you can only spend money you have already deposited — there is no debt, no interest, and no risk of missing a payment you cannot afford. The tradeoff is that it builds credit more slowly than a credit card, because the credit bureaus weight payment history (paying a bill on time) more heavily than account management (keeping an account in good standing).
Not all banks report teen checking accounts to the bureaus, so you will need to research which ones do before opening an account. Ask the bank directly: "Does this teen checking account report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion?" If the answer is no, it will not help your credit.
What happens when you turn 18
Once you turn 18, you can sign your own credit card contract and get your own card without a co-signer or parent involvement. If you have been building credit as an authorized user, through a secured card, or via a teen checking account, you will have a credit history and a credit score. This history matters: it determines what interest rate you get offered and whether you are approved at all.
A credit score built over one or two years before 18 can mean the difference between being approved for a card with a 15% interest rate versus a 25% interest rate, or between being approved and being denied. That difference compounds over time, especially if you carry a balance.
If you have no credit history at all when you turn 18, you will likely be offered a secured card again, or a card with a high interest rate and low credit limit. Starting early — even a year or two before 18 — gives you better options.
Why building credit as a minor matters
Credit history is a record of how you have borrowed and repaid money. Lenders use it to decide whether to lend to you and at what rate. The longer your history, the more data lenders have about you, and the better terms you usually get.
Starting at 16 or 17 means that by the time you are 18 and want to get your own card, take out a student loan, or rent an apartment, you already have a track record. Landlords, employers, and lenders all check credit reports. A two-year history of on-time payments is worth real money in lower interest rates and higher approval odds.
The flip side: if you miss payments or run up debt you cannot pay as a minor, that damage stays on your credit report for years. A missed payment at 17 can affect your credit score at 22. This is why the accounts you use to build credit matter — they should be ones you can actually manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card without my parent knowing?
No. If you are a minor, you cannot sign a contract. Any legitimate card issuer will verify your age and require parental consent. If someone offers you a credit card without parental involvement, it is not a real credit card from a real bank.
Does being an authorized user hurt my parent's credit?
No. Being added as an authorized user does not change your parent's credit score or their ability to borrow. It only helps your credit if the issuer reports it. Your parent remains fully responsible for the debt.
What if I want to use a credit card but my parent will not co-sign?
Ask them to add you as an authorized user instead — it requires no co-signer and no deposit. If they will not do that, a teen checking account that reports to credit bureaus is the next option. Both build credit without requiring a co-signer.
Can I remove myself from my parent's card later?
Yes. Once you turn 18, you can ask your parent to remove you as an authorized user, or you can get your own card and stop using theirs. The account history stays on your credit report for a set time (usually seven years), which is good for your credit score.
What is the difference between a co-signer and an authorized user?
An authorized user can use the card but is not legally responsible for the debt. A co-signer is legally responsible and their credit is on the line. With a secured card, you are the primary borrower and your co-signer backs you up. With an authorized user account, the parent is the primary borrower and you are just using the card.