If you have wondered what's the youngest you can get a credit card, the answer depends on whether you want your own account or a shared one. Federal law sets 18 as the minimum age to apply for a card in your name, and you usually need a cosigner or proof of independent income until you turn 21. Before 18, you can still get added to a parent's account as an authorized user, often as young as 13.
This guide walks through the age rules for each type of card, why lawmakers set them, and the smartest early steps to start building a credit file. Building credit young pays off later when you apply for student loans, car loans, or your first apartment.
What's the Youngest You Can Get a Credit Card in Your Own Name?
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a credit card in your own name. That minimum comes from the Credit CARD Act of 2009, which tightened the rules on approving young adults.
For applicants between 18 and 21, federal law adds two extra requirements. You need either a cosigner or proof of your own income sufficient to cover the minimum payments. Most issuers still accept part-time job income, scholarships, allowances, or financial aid beyond tuition as qualifying income. Our step-by-step walkthrough of how to get a credit card at 18 covers the application process in detail.
Once you turn 21, the cosigner and income rules relax. You can apply based on your own finances without needing anyone else to sign.
Why the Age Rules Exist
Before 2009, many college students carried multiple credit cards with high limits and no income check. Credit card debt among young adults had become a serious problem, with some students graduating with thousands of dollars in balances before they had ever held a full-time job.
The CARD Act aimed to reduce that pattern. By requiring income or a cosigner, Congress made it harder for issuers to push cards on students who could not pay. The change lowered average debt for 18 to 21 year olds over the next decade.
What's the Youngest You Can Get a Credit Card as an Authorized User?
Authorized user rules vary by issuer. Some banks allow authorized users as young as 13. Others require the user to be at least 15, 16, or 18. Our overview of credit cards for minors breaks down which issuers work best for younger teens.
When a parent adds you as an authorized user, the account history may appear on your credit report. If the primary account has a long history of on-time payments and low balances, your credit file picks up those positive marks. That is one of the fastest ways to build credit before 18.
But not every issuer reports authorized user activity to all three bureaus. Ask the bank directly before relying on this strategy. Also confirm what happens if the primary cardholder ever misses payments, because that negative history can show up on your file too.
Which Issuers Allow the Youngest Authorized Users
American Express generally has no minimum age for authorized users. Chase typically requires authorized users to be at least 16 on most consumer cards. Capital One has no set minimum on many of its cards, while Discover sets the minimum at 15.
Always verify the current policy before adding a minor. Issuers update their rules periodically.
Options for Teens Who Want to Start Building Credit
If you are under 18, direct credit card applications are off the table. But several paths still build a financial track record that helps when you do apply. Our broader build credit as a teenager guide lays out every option side by side.
Debit Cards and Teen Checking Accounts
A teen debit card does not build credit, but it teaches the basics of card use. You learn to read statements, track spending, and avoid overdraft fees. Many banks offer joint teen accounts for ages 13 and up with parental controls.
These accounts set the stage for responsible credit use later. Tools like Brigit and Monarch Money help teen users track budgets alongside parents.
Secured Cards at 18
On your 18th birthday, a secured credit card is often the easiest product to open. You put down a refundable deposit, and the bank gives you a credit line equal to that amount. You use the card like any other, and on-time payments get reported to the credit bureaus.
The OpenSky Secured Visa is a common first pick because it does not require a credit check. The Self Visa Credit Card is another strong option since it pairs with a credit builder loan. The Kikoff Secured Credit Card works well for younger adults who want a simple mobile experience. Compare more options in our roundup of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds.
Credit Builder Loans
A credit builder loan reports payments to the bureaus without requiring you to borrow money upfront. The Self.Inc Credit Builder Account lets you pay into a locked savings account each month. When the term ends, you get most of the money back, and your credit file has a year of on-time payments recorded.
The Kikoff Credit Account offers a similar structure with smaller monthly payments. Both products work for 18 year olds who want to build credit before applying for a traditional card.
What's the Youngest You Can Get a Credit Card as a Student?
Student credit cards use the same 18 minimum age rule, plus the CARD Act income and cosigner requirements. Most issuers offer student-specific cards with lower credit limits and simpler reward structures. Our guide to the best credit cards for college students covers the top picks for 2026.
Student cards often come with no annual fee and modest cash back. They may approve applicants with thin credit files as long as income requirements are met. Federal work-study earnings, scholarships used for living expenses, and part-time job wages typically count.
If you cannot get approved on your own, ask a parent to cosign. Many families use this route because the parent takes some responsibility for payments, but the student still builds a credit history in their own name.
Tips for Turning 18 and Applying for the First Time
Several habits improve your odds of approval and set you up for a strong score.
- Keep balances under 30% of your limit every month
- Pay the full statement balance, not just the minimum
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum to avoid late fees
- Check your credit report annually for errors
- Use credit monitoring tools like Dovly or track your credit score with Creditship
These basics build good scores faster than any single product choice.
How Much Income Do You Need?
There is no fixed minimum. Many issuers approve young adults with $500 to $1,000 per month in income if they have no other debt. Higher income raises your chances on premium cards, but most starter cards approve modest earners.
Work income, self-employment income, allowances for 21-year-olds and older, and financial aid beyond tuition all qualify. Just include what you actually receive, since lying on a credit card application is against federal law.
Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Young
A credit card used well builds wealth. Used badly, it drains your bank account and damages your score. A few pitfalls trip up many young users.
Carrying a balance. Interest charges on a young person's card can run over 25% APR. If you cannot pay the full balance, do not charge the item in the first place.
Applying for too many cards. Every application adds a hard inquiry, and each inquiry may cost several points. Space new cards at least six months apart.
Closing the first card too early. Your first card becomes the anchor of your credit age. Keeping it open, even unused, helps your score in the long run.
If you do run into trouble, Credit Saint can help dispute inaccurate marks on your file. Recovery from early mistakes is possible, but prevention is cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the youngest you can get a credit card without a parent?
You must be at least 18 to get a credit card in your own name without a parent, and between 18 and 21 you still need either independent income or a cosigner. Once you turn 21, the cosigner requirement goes away. No bank approves full credit card applications for minors under 18.
Can a 13 year old be added to a credit card?
Yes, some issuers allow authorized users as young as 13. American Express generally has no minimum age, and Capital One has no set minimum on many of its cards. Each bank sets its own rule, so check with the issuer before adding a minor.
Does being an authorized user build a teen's credit?
It may. Many issuers report authorized user activity to the credit bureaus, which can help a teen build a credit file. Confirm the issuer reports authorized users before relying on it, and make sure the primary account has a strong payment history.
What is the best first credit card at 18?
A secured card like the OpenSky Secured Visa or Self Visa Credit Card is often the best first card at 18. These products approve applicants with no credit history, report to all three bureaus, and have low deposit requirements. A student card from a major issuer is another common first-card option for those with qualifying income.
