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 family member's credit card account by becoming an authorized user. A number of issuers will allow authorized users under the age of 18, though some set a minimum age for authorized users and may not accept 13-year-olds.

Before you add a 13-year-old, or any teenager, as an authorized user, make sure he or she understands the basics of credit cards and personal finance. You should also set an example by ensuring that your financial situation is in good shape. Adding an authorized user to an account that's on shaky ground could set the individual's credit-building prospects back right from the start.

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 to getting a credit card if you're under 18:

• Become an authorized user: If you know someone else who has a credit card (like your parent) you can become an authorized user on their credit account. You'll get your own card that's connected to the cardholder's account, and any purchases you make will show up on their statement.
   
  The primary cardholder is the one responsible for paying. This is a great way to build credit, although you won't build it as quickly as you would with your own card.
• Take out a loan. Credit-builder loans are sometimes available to people under 18 who have a cosigner (someone with established credit who takes responsibility if you default). But it will be more difficult than getting a loan at age 18.
• Use a debit card. You can't build credit with debit cards, but they can make everyday spending more convenient. And there's no need to worry about going into debt because you'll be spending the money from your checking account, not borrowing anything.

You'll definitely need to wait until you're 18 to get a credit card account in your own name. But being an authorized user is still a very useful way to build credit and practice using a credit card responsibly. Then, once you turn 18, you'll already have some credit history and may be eligible for better offers right off the bat. You can track your progress with WalletHub's free daily credit score updates.

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 purchases on the account and build credit. But they will not have to make monthly payments. The primary cardholder is responsible for all transactions charged to the card, including those made by an authorized user.

A parent can add their child as an authorized user as soon as they think the child is ready to learn about financial responsibility. Or, they could add them even earlier than that and just not allow them to use the card. That way, even an infant could build credit history. And once the minor does get spending access, the primary cardholder can usually set limits on the user's spending.

Adding a minor as an authorized user is simple. You'll need only the minor's name, birthdate, and in some cases, Social Security number. Make sure you and the minor you're thinking of adding to your account are aware of the potential benefits and risks of authorized users before you add them.

Here's the best way to get credit cards for minors:

1. Add the minor as an authorized user. Becoming an authorized user is the best way to get credit cards for minors. Legally, minors are unable to get their own credit card.
2. Check age requirements. Most issuers don't have an age restriction for authorized users. Amex has a minimum age of 13 years old, depending on the card. Barclays sets its minimum age at 13 years old. Discover and U.S. Bank require at least 15 and 16 years old, respectively.
3. Keep transactions separate. Consider adding an authorized user to a credit card you don't use all that often. That makes it easier to monitor the minor's spending.
4. Monitor credit activity: When an authorized user gets added to a credit card account, the card activity goes on their credit reports. If the minor has no previous credit history, their first credit score will be generated within the first six months. The score depends on how responsibly the card is used.
5. Don't miss payments or pay late: Missed payments cause credit score damage for both the primary cardholder and the authorized user. But authorized users can dispute accounts with negative information to have them removed from their credit reports.

An authorized user is limited to making purchases on the account. They typically are unable to do balance transfers or take out cash advances. Only the primary cardholder can make changes to the account like requesting a credit limit increase or adding additional users. The primary cardholder can call the issuer's customer service department to remove an authorized user from their account. An authorized can be removed for any reason.

Becoming an authorized user is the only way to get credit cards for minors in order to establish credit. Once an authorized user is no longer a minor, they can add their own credit card account to the mix.

Shoot for one with high approval odds and a low annual fee. People applying for their first credit card at age 18 should consider cards for no credit or secured cards if they don't have credit history already. College students can also consider student cards, which give better terms because of students' higher earning potential.

Legally, there is no 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. But some credit card companies have their own requirements. Barclaycard along with American Express authorized users must be at least 13 years old, for example, while Discover requires authorized users to be at least 15 years old. The minimum age requirement for authorized users 16 years old for PNC Bank, while Wells Fargo and Synchrony requires authorized users to be at least 18 years old. None of the other 15 largest credit companies have minimums, though. You could make a newborn an authorized user on your account if you want to. 

No matter how old the authorized user is, adding one is an important decision. On the one hand, it's a great way for a young person to build credit before they're old enough to qualify for their own account. But on the other hand, the primary accountholder has to be comfortable assuming responsibility for any charges the authorized user makes.

Here's the minimum age for an authorized user on a credit card:

• Chase: No minimum age
• Bank of America: No minimum age
• Citibank: No minimum age
• American Express: 13 years old
• Capital One: No minimum age
• Discover: 15 years old

• Wells Fargo: 18 years old

• S. Bank: No minimum age

• Barclays: 13 years old

• Synchrony Bank: 18 years old

• USAA: No minimum age, but minors under 18 cannot view the account online. To be eligible for membership, you or a family member must have served in the armed forces.

• Navy Federal Credit Union: No minimum age To be eligible for membership, you or a family member must have served in the armed forces.

• PNC Bank: 16 years old

• TD Bank: No minimum age
• First National Bank of Omaha: No minimum age

If you're worried about an authorized user being irresponsible with your account, several banks allow you to manage your user's access to credit. For instance, you may be able to set individual spending limits or get alerts when the user makes new purchases. Sometimes, you can even make it so that all purchases must be approved by you before they go through. That way, you can give someone young experience with credit while still laying down restrictions.

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 the bill on time and maintains low credit utilization, any authorized users on the account benefit from it. An authorized user doesn't even have to use the credit card to reap the benefits. Also, some card issuers allow primary cardholders to set spending limits for each authorized user, which could come in handy if you're giving a credit card to a child.

That said, if you're trying to teach your kids about budgeting in a more hands-on way, you may also consider letting them use a prepaid or reloadable debit card designed for kids. These prepaid cards - one example is the Greenlight Card - allow parents to load money onto the card from an app and closely monitor their kids' transactions. The big downside to a prepaid card for kids is that it does not build their credit history, because it's not a credit card.

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 purchases. 

Alternatives to getting a credit card if you're 17:

• Become an authorized user: If someone makes you an authorized user on their card, the account will be added to your credit report. And if the main accountholder pays the monthly bills on time, your credit score will improve. The main accountholder may or may not decide to give you a card that you can use to charge purchases to the account. But you won't be responsible for making payments either way.
• Get a debit card: Most banks will give you a debit card connected to your checking account. You'll be spending your own cash, not borrowing money. So, you don't need to be 18 to get one. Different banks have different rules, but most require you to be 13 or 14 years old. You won't build credit with a debit card, but having one can make life more convenient until you turn 18.

So, keep in mind that you can't get a credit card at 17, at least not one of your own. But if you find someone to back you, then you can start building credit right away. And in just a year, you'll be eligible for student credit cards, secured credit cards, and other options for people new to credit.

You should get a credit card when you're around 12 years old, as an authorized user on one of your parent's credit cards. Even though you must be at least 18 to apply for a credit card on your own, there is no legally mandated minimum age to get one as an authorized user. It will give you time to build a credit history and set yourself up for great interest rates when you need to borrow large amounts in the future. While some issuers have their own age requirements, the sooner you become an authorized user, the better.

If you couldn't become an authorized user before the age of 18, your best bet is applying for a secured or student credit card as soon as you turn 18. Just keep in mind that the CARD Act of 2009 emphasizes that under 21's need to show they have enough independent income to afford a credit card. But irrespective of age, it's not a good idea to apply for a card if you can't afford it anyway.

In case you're older, it's not too late to apply for a credit card. Feel free to check out some of the best starter credit cards and pick one according to your individual needs. And if you already managed to build good credit or better through other credit accounts, have a look at some of the best credit cards on the market.

There are plenty of good reasons to get a credit card and if you manage your account responsibly, credit will play a positive role in your finances. Most credit card applications will trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause a dip in your credit score. So make sure you are aware of the card's approval requirements. And if you don't know where you stand, you can check your credit score for free, right here on WalletHub. Feel free to 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.

How to Get Access to a Credit Card Before 18

If you want a credit card before you become 18, your only option is to use someone else's credit card account as an authorized user. As an authorized user, you will get your own credit card with your name on it. You will have access to the primary cardholder's credit line. You won't be responsible for making payments, though.

Becoming an authorized user will help you build credit, as long as the owner of the account is responsible. This way, you may even be able to get a better deal when you apply for your first 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 cardholder pays on time.

Alternatives to Getting a Credit Card at 16

• Become an authorized user: There's generally no minimum age requirement for authorized users. You may get your own card that's connected to the cardholder's account, and any purchases you make will show up on your credit card statement. The primary cardholder is the one responsible for paying. This is a great way to build credit. However, you won't build it as quickly as you would with your own card.

• Cards to consider: You can get your own credit card account when you're 18, as long as you have enough independent income for monthly bill payments. You should get a student credit card if you go to college, as they tend to have much better terms than other starter credit cards. A secured credit card is a good backup plan, too.
• Get a debit card: This won't help you build credit, and you won't be able to borrow money. But a debit card linked to your checking account will free you from having to carry cash all the time.

You can get a credit card at 16. You just can't get an account in your own name. But if someone is willing to add you as an authorized user, you can start learning about, using, and building credit. And in a couple years, you'll be able to get your first card.

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, American Express, and U.S. Bank require an authorized user to be at least 13 years old. Bank of America, Capital One, and Chase are some of the major issuers with no age limitations.

Here's what you should know about getting a credit card at 15:

• The only way to get a credit card at 15 years old is as an authorized user on someone else's account.
• An authorized user can get a credit card, if the primary accountholder allows it. However, the primary cardholder, not the authorized user, is ultimately responsible for paying the bill.
• Reloadable debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards won't give you a loan or help you build credit, but they can be useful to have for emergency spending purposes.

Discuss the basics of personal finances and credit cards with any minor you are considering adding as an authorized user. That way, they will better understand the rules and purpose of having a credit card.