You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 17 in the United States

Credit card companies are required by federal law to only issue cards to people who are 18 or older. This rule comes from the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (the CARD Act), passed in 2009. At 17, you do not have the legal capacity to sign a binding contract, which is what a credit card agreement is.

There are a few ways to build credit before you turn 18, but none of them involve having your own card. The most common route is becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card, or opening a secured savings account that reports to credit bureaus. Both let you start building a credit history that will matter when you do turn 18.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 to sign a credit card agreement and get a card in your own name, regardless of income or credit history.
  • Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card can help you build credit history before you turn 18, though you are not responsible for payments.
  • A secured savings account at a bank or credit union can report to credit bureaus and start your credit file even at 17.
  • When you turn 18, you will have more card options if you already have some credit history, and you may may have access to for better terms.

Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card

An authorized user is someone who can use a credit card but is not the person responsible for paying the bill. If your parent or guardian adds you as an authorized user on their card, the card issuer may report your activity to the credit bureaus. This means on-time payments and low balances help your credit score grow, even though your parent is the one making the payments.

Not all card issuers report authorized user activity to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so ask your parent's card company whether they do before you get added. Some issuers report to all three, some to only one or two, and a few do not report at all. The card company can tell you in one call or through their website.

Being an authorized user does not give you the legal responsibility to pay the bill, and it does not hurt your credit if your parent misses a payment — only the primary cardholder's credit is affected. However, you can still use the card to make purchases, so you and your parent should agree on what you can buy and how much you can spend.

Opening a secured savings account that builds credit

Some banks and credit unions offer savings accounts that report to credit bureaus. You deposit money (usually $200 to $2,500) into the account, and the bank reports your on-time deposits and account activity to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This creates a credit file in your name before you turn 18.

These accounts are sometimes called credit-builder accounts or credit-building savings accounts. They work differently from a regular savings account because the point is not to earn interest — the point is to create a credit record. You can open one at many banks and credit unions, and some have no minimum age requirement beyond what your state requires for minors to open accounts (usually 13 to 16 with a parent or guardian).

Ask your bank or credit union whether they offer this type of account and which credit bureaus they report to. If your current bank does not have one, you can search online for "credit-builder account" and your state name, or call a local credit union to ask what they offer.

What happens when you turn 18

On your 18th birthday, you become a legal adult and can sign a credit card agreement. If you have been an authorized user or have a credit-builder account, you will have a credit history. This means card companies can see that you have managed credit responsibly, and you may be offered cards with better terms — lower interest rates, higher limits, or fewer fees — than someone applying with no credit history.

If you have no credit history at all when you turn 18, you will still be able to get a card, but you may only may have access to for a secured credit card. A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. After you use it responsibly for several months or a year, the card company may convert it to a regular card and return your deposit.

Why the age requirement exists

The CARD Act set the minimum age at 18 because younger people cannot legally enter into contracts. A credit card agreement is a contract between you and the card company, and the law says you must be an adult to sign one. This protects you from being bound to a debt you did not fully understand, and it protects the card company from having to enforce agreements with minors.

Some states have different rules for other financial products — for example, you might be able to open a bank account at a younger age — but credit cards are specifically restricted to 18 and up across the entire country.

Building credit without a card

Credit bureaus track several types of accounts: credit cards, loans, and sometimes savings accounts. If you want to build credit before 18, focus on the accounts that report to bureaus. Authorized user status and credit-builder accounts are the two most common routes, but you can also ask your parent whether they would co-sign a small loan with you — some credit unions offer youth loans specifically for this purpose.

Avoid trying to get around the age requirement by using someone else's card or opening an account in someone else's name. This is fraud, and it can create serious legal problems for both of you. The age requirement is there, and the legal ways to build credit before 18 are straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card if I have a job and my own income?

No. Income does not change the age requirement. You must be 18 to sign a credit card agreement, even if you earn money. However, having a job and income will help you when you turn 18, because card companies look at whether you have a steady income when you apply.

Will being an authorized user hurt my parent's credit?

No. Your parent's credit is not affected by adding you as an authorized user. However, if your parent misses payments or carries a high balance, that will hurt their credit — and it may also hurt yours, since the account activity is reported under both names.

What if my parent does not have a credit card?

You can still open a credit-builder account at a bank or credit union on your own (with your parent or guardian's permission if you are under the age of majority in your state). This is often the best option if your parent does not use credit cards or does not want to add you to theirs.

Do I need to wait until 18 to start thinking about credit?

No. Starting to build credit at 17 gives you a head start. When you turn 18 and apply for your first card, having a credit history means you may may have access to for better terms than someone with no history. Even a few months of authorized user activity or a credit-builder account can make a difference.