What are the Navy Federal credit card approval requirements?

Navy Federal credit card approval requirements include a credit score of at least 700, in most cases. The NFCU Go Rewards, Platinum and More Rewards cards all require a 700+ credit score for approval, as do a few other offers. But the NFCU Flagship Rewards card requires an excellent credit score (750+). The easiest Navy Federal card to get is the NFCU Rewards Secured Credit Card. You can qualify with a credit score of 600 or less.

To apply for a Navy Federal Credit Union credit card, you have to be an NFCU member. To be eligible for NFCU membership, you or one of your family members must have ties to the armed forces, National Guard or Department of Defense. This includes active duty personnel, officer candidates, reservists and veterans. If none of these apply, call 1 (888) 842-6328 or visit a local Navy Federal branch for assistance.

There is a lot of information required on NFCU credit card applications. You will have to provide your name, address and birthdate, for starters. The address must be a physical U.S. location and not a P.O. Box. You also need to list either your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old to be eligible. If you’re under 21, you need proof of an independent income sufficient enough to make payments.

All applicants must include their employment status, monthly rent or mortgage payment, and annual income. You don’t need a full-time job to qualify for a card, but you will need to report the sources of any income. This could be part-time salary or wages, rental income, retirement benefits, interest and/or dividend income, and more.

Perhaps most importantly, Navy Federal will verify your credit history and ability to pay. Your credit score, income, debt level and other factors will help determine if you’re approved. This information will also play a role in setting your interest rate and credit limit.

NFCU looks at Transunion FICO 9 scores for credit cards. They really use their own internal scoring method to make credit decision. Not unheard of for a 650 score to be approved for credit cards. Low 600’s might qualify for their nRewards secured card that reports unsecured and usually graduates in 5 months.  The Flagship does need a higher score due to higher minimum credit limit. Installment loans such a auto loans and credit card limit increases are based on Navy’s internal score when they look at your Equifax FICO 9 data. 

Would like to add, I have been a member of NFCU since 2014. Have been rebuilding my credit , paid off a few collections. I applied for the NFCU Cash Rewards with a 620 FICO and was approved for the Visa Signature Cash Rewards with a $6200 credit limit. I think they take into account more than just your score. I am nowhere near 700 right now.