What you can do at 16
You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 16. Credit card issuers require you to be at least 18 years old, and most require you to have a Social Security number and a verifiable income or credit history. These are legal requirements set by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act), which treats anyone under 18 as unable to enter a binding contract for credit.
However, you have two real options before 18: becoming an authorized user on someone else's card, or opening a secured credit card if your bank offers one to minors. Neither requires you to be the primary account holder, and both can help you start building a credit history.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card issuers will not issue a card in your name until you turn 18, regardless of your income or credit history.
- You can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card right now, which reports to your credit report and costs you nothing.
- Some banks offer secured credit cards to people under 18 if a parent or guardian co-signs or deposits money into the account.
- Building credit before 18 means lower interest rates and better terms when you open your own card at 18.
- The card issuer, not the bank, sets the minimum age — so requirements vary between Discover, Chase, American Express, and others.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
This is the simplest path. Your parent or guardian calls their credit card issuer and asks to add you as an authorized user. You get a card with your name on it, linked to their account. You can use it to make purchases, but your parent controls the bill and the credit limit.
The key advantage: the account reports to the credit bureaus under your name. Every on-time payment your parent makes builds your credit score, even though you are not responsible for paying. This means you start with a credit history before you turn 18, which matters because credit scores are based on payment history and account age.
The catch is that your parent's mistakes also report to your credit. If they miss a payment or max out the card, your credit takes the hit too. Talk to them about this before asking, and make sure they understand they are helping you build credit.
Secured credit cards for minors
A secured credit card requires you to deposit money into a savings account held by the bank. That deposit becomes your credit limit — if you deposit $500, you get a $500 credit limit. You then use the card like a normal credit card, and the bank reports your payments to the credit bureaus.
Most major banks do not offer secured cards to minors without a co-signer, but some regional banks and credit unions do. Capital One, Discover, and a few others have programs where a parent or guardian co-signs the account. The co-signer is responsible if you do not pay, but the account still reports under your name.
This option costs money upfront (the deposit) and usually comes with an annual fee of $25 to $50. But it gives you direct control over the card and a clear way to prove you can handle credit responsibly before you turn 18.
What happens when you turn 18
At 18, you can open your own credit card without a co-signer or parent's involvement. If you have been an authorized user or used a secured card, you will have a credit history. That history means you can may have access to for cards with better terms — lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and fewer fees.
If you have no credit history at 18, you will likely be offered only high-interest cards or cards that require a deposit. Building credit now, even in a small way, saves you money later.
Why credit card issuers set age 18 as the minimum
The CARD Act of 2009 made it illegal for credit card companies to market to anyone under 18 on college campuses, and it required issuers to verify that applicants could repay debt. In practice, this means issuers treat 18 as the age of legal responsibility. Before 18, you cannot sign a contract, so you cannot be held to a credit card agreement.
Some issuers are stricter than others. American Express, for example, requires you to be 18. Discover allows authorized users as young as 15 on some accounts. Chase varies by product. Call the issuer of the card you are interested in to ask their specific policy.
Building credit as a minor: what actually matters
Credit scores are built on five things: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit (10%). As an authorized user or secured cardholder, you are building payment history and length of history. That is enough to start.
You do not need multiple cards or high balances. One card used responsibly — keeping the balance low, paying on time every month — is better than several cards. The goal is to show lenders that you can handle credit before you turn 18, so that when you apply for your own card, you already have proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 16 without a parent?
No. Every major credit card issuer requires you to be 18 and able to sign a contract. A parent or guardian must be involved, either as the primary account holder (if you are an authorized user) or as a co-signer (if you are opening a secured card).
Does being an authorized user actually build my credit?
Yes. The account reports to the credit bureaus under your name, so on-time payments count toward your credit score. However, late payments or high balances also count against you, so make sure the primary account holder is responsible.
What is the difference between a secured card and being an authorized user?
An authorized user has no control and no responsibility — the primary account holder decides what to charge and pays the bill. A secured cardholder deposits their own money and controls the card, but is responsible for paying the bill on time. Secured cards cost money upfront but give you more control.
Will my credit score be hurt if I do not get a card before 18?
You will not have a credit score at all until you open your first account. Starting at 18 with no history is normal and not a penalty. You will just may have access to for fewer cards and higher interest rates than someone who built credit earlier.
Can I use a debit card to build credit instead?
No. Debit cards do not report to credit bureaus because you are spending your own money, not borrowing. Only credit products — credit cards, loans, and lines of credit — build a credit history.