How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card?

No, you cannot get a credit card at 13 years old. By law, no one is allowed to open a credit card account on their own until they're at least 18 years old, and they will need to provide proof of an independent income until they turn 21. At that age, they may list household income and assets on the application if they have reasonable access to those funds.

That said, 13-year-olds may gain access to a...

The only way to get a credit card when you're under 18 years old is to become an authorized user on an adult's credit card account. You cannot get your own credit card account until you turn 18 and you're able to demonstrate enough independent income to make monthly bill payments.

However, being an authorized user will help you build credit in the meantime, as long as the primary accountholder pay the bills by the due date.

Alternatives...

The best way to get credit cards for minors is to add them as an authorized user. A minor cannot get their own credit card account. You must be at least 18 years old to do so. But all major credit card companies allow customers to get authorized-user credit cards for minors. Many don't even have a minimum age for authorized users.  

An authorized user is granted access to another person's credit card account. The user can make...

No, there is no legally required minimum age for an authorized user on a credit card. That's because authorized users aren't entering into any kind of contract or borrowing money in their own name. As a result, many issuers do not have age requirements when it comes to authorized users. This means you could even make a newborn an authorized user on your account if you want to. Just note that some credit card companies have...

You can get credit cards for kids by making them authorized users on your credit card account. A child legally cannot get their own independent credit card account until they turn 18 years old, but making your child an authorized user on your credit card can help them get a head start on building their credit history. Some credit card companies have minimum age limits for authorized users, but most credit card companies do not.

When a primary cardholder pays...

Yes, you can get a credit card at 17 as an authorized user on someone else's account. But you have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name. And when you turn 18, you'll need to show that you have your own independent income to qualify. In the meantime, you can begin to build credit as an authorized user, and you can always use a debit card for everyday...

You should get a credit card when you're 18 years old, which is when you can legally apply for one on your own. If you're younger, you should ask a parent to make you an authorized user on one of their credit cards so you can start to build credit. While some issuers have their own age requirements, there is no legal minimum age to become an authorized user. Credit cards are an effective tool for building credit, even if you don't use your card for purchases, so it's best to get a credit card as soon as possible.

When you get your own credit card account after turning 18 years old, your best bet is to apply for a secured credit card or a student credit card. Just keep in mind that applicants under 21 need to have enough independent income to afford the card's minimum payments. Once you're over 21, you can include any household income that you have access to. But irrespective of age, it's not a good idea to apply for a card if you can't afford it.

If you manage your account responsibly, a credit card will play a positive role in your finances. You can get started by comparing the best starter credit cards and finding one that suits your individual needs. You can also use WalletHub's CardAdvisor tool to get personalized credit card recommendations.

The youngest age to get a credit card is 18. However, qualifying for a credit card before you turn 21 may not always be easy. You'll need to show proof that you have a steady source of income to qualify.

If you can't show a source of income, such as a job, you'll need to have a cosigner on the card or ask to be an authorized user on a friend or relative's credit card.

No, you can't get your own credit card account at 16 because the law prohibits issuers from offering credit cards to anyone under 18 years old. The only way to get access to a credit card at 16 years old is if a friend or family member makes you an authorized user on their account. You won't be responsible for bill payments as an authorized user, but you will build credit as long as the primary...

No, you cannot get your own credit card at 15. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering into a legally binding contract such as a credit card agreement. But there are some credit cards that permit minors to become authorized users on a parent or other adult's credit card account.

Nearly all credit card issuers allow minors to become authorized issuers (with Synchrony, it varies by card), but some have minimum age requirements. Barclays,...