What Is the Minimum Age to Be an Authorized User?
There's no single answer because each credit card issuer sets its own rules. Some issuers have no minimum age at all, while others require authorized users to be at least 13, 15, or 16 years old.
The important thing to understand is that being an authorized user is different from being a primary cardholder. Authorized users can make purchases on someone else's account, and the account history may appear on their credit report — but they're not legally responsible for the debt.
This makes adding a child or teenager as an authorized user one of the earliest ways to start building their credit history.
Authorized User Age Requirements by Issuer
Here's a breakdown of the major credit card issuers and their minimum age requirements for authorized users:
American Express — 13 years old. Amex is one of the more lenient issuers and will report the account to the authorized user's credit file.
Bank of America — No minimum age. You can add a child of any age, though they won't receive a physical card until they're older.
Capital One — No minimum age for most cards. The account history will appear on the authorized user's credit report.
Chase — No minimum age. Chase reports authorized user accounts to credit bureaus regardless of the user's age.
Citi — No minimum age. Similar to Chase, the account will appear on the authorized user's credit report.
Discover — 15 years old. Discover requires authorized users to be at least 15 and will issue them a card.
Wells Fargo — No minimum age stated, though policies may vary by card.
Keep in mind that these policies can change. It's always worth calling the issuer directly to confirm their current requirements.
Can a Minor Be an Authorized User?
Yes, in most cases. Many issuers allow minors to be added as authorized users, and the account will appear on the minor's credit report once they have a Social Security number on file with the bureau.
This is actually one of the biggest advantages of the authorized user strategy. By adding your child at a young age to an account with a long, positive history, you can give them a significant head start on building credit.
However, there are some important caveats. The primary cardholder's behavior directly affects the authorized user's credit. If the primary cardholder misses payments, that negative activity will show up on the authorized user's report too — which is why how paying bills on time affects both of you matters.
How to Add a Minor as an Authorized User
The process is simple:
- Call your credit card issuer or log into your online account.
- Request to add an authorized user.
- Provide the minor's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number (required for credit reporting).
- The issuer will add them to the account and may send a physical card.
You don't have to give the minor the physical card if you don't want them making purchases. The credit-building benefit happens whether they use the card or not.
Once added, it typically takes one to two billing cycles for the account to appear on the authorized user's credit report.
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What Happens When They Turn 18?
Once your child turns 18, they can start building credit independently. At that point, the authorized user history gives them a head start, but they should also open their own accounts to build a credit profile in their own name.
A secured credit builder card like the Self Visa card is one of the best first steps — it has high approval rates and reports to all three bureaus. Read our Self review for the full breakdown. Kikoff is another great option with no interest and no hard pull — check out our Kikoff review.
Combining the authorized user history with their own accounts creates a strong credit foundation that will serve them well for years.
FAQ
Will adding my child as an authorized user hurt my credit? No. Adding an authorized user doesn't affect the primary cardholder's credit score. Your credit utilization and payment history remain the same.
Does the authorized user need a Social Security number? For the account to appear on their credit report, yes. Without an SSN on file, the bureau can't match the account to a credit file. This is also why what credit score do you start with matters — the minor may already be accumulating history.
When should I remove my child as an authorized user? Once they've built enough credit history to qualify for their own card — usually around age 18-21 — they can apply for their own Self secured card or Kikoff credit account and start building credit independently.
