How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card?
7 Min Read | Last updated: January 7, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Wondering at what age you can get a credit card? In order to apply for a credit card, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old.
At-A-Glance
- You must be at least 18 years of age to get a credit card in your own name.
- In order to apply for a credit card, you may need to be at least 18 years old. If you’re under 21, you may need a co-signer or proof of consistent income.
- If you’re under 18, you may have the option to be added as an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card.
Establishing credit history and building your credit can be important tools for financial stability and success. In this article, we’ll look at when you can get a credit card, along with tips for using it to build credit.
What Age Can You Get a Credit Card?
In order to apply for a credit card in the U.S., you may need to be at least 18 years old. That’s because this is the legal age for entering into contracts. If you’re under 21 and you’d like to get a credit card, you may need to have a co-signer or provide proof of consistent income.1
How to Get a Credit Card If You’re Between 18 and 20
To get a credit card, you may first have to apply through the card issuer, which could be online. Be prepared to provide personal information, such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, gross annual income, and housing situation (like your address and monthly rent or mortgage payments).
Here are some things that can help you get approved for your first credit card:
Provide Proof of Income
If you’re under 21, applying for a credit card may involve proving sufficient independent income, not simply sharing your income when asked. Plan to include proof of direct income and any third-party income that you might have. This can mean paystubs, W2s, or copies of your bank statements. Gather them before applying to help keep yourself organized.
Consider a Cosigner
If you’re uncertain whether or not you meet income eligibility requirements, you can also try to apply with a cosigner, which is someone who agrees to become liable for the debt on the account. If the card issuer permits you to apply with a cosigner, they must be 21 years or older and have the means to repay debts incurred in connection with the account. Importantly, your cosigner should also be someone who you know you can trust, like a family member or guardian.
Consider a Secured Credit Card
If you can’t qualify for a traditional credit card, you could try applying for a secured credit card which requires a cash security deposit that acts as the spending limit on your account. Secured credit cards can be a useful credit-building tool for individuals who are trying to build their credit.
Can You Get a Credit Card Under 18?
It is possible to give someone under the age of 18 access to a credit card. One way that young people can learn about responsible credit card use, may be by being added as an authorized user on a trusted existing cardholder’s account. Beyond offering a way to promote responsible spending habits, parents may consider adding their child as an additional card member for spending ease in case of an emergency, as well as a way to earn more rewards.
An additional card member can make charges to the primary card member’s account. The primary card member continues to make payments and is responsible for the authorized user’s spending.
Some credit card issuers may require additional card members to be at least 13 years of age, while others do not. Similarly, some card issuers will only report an authorized user’s credit information if they’re 18 or older. It may be a good idea to call your credit card issuer to confirm stipulations, as well as determine whether there’s a fee to add an additional card member.
Credit Card Options By Age
| Applicant’s Age | Credit Card Options |
|---|---|
| Under 18 years old | Being added as an authorized user on an existing cardholder’s account |
| 18 to 20 years old | A traditional credit card that may require proof of income and a cosigner A secured credit card Being added as an authorized user on an existing cardholder’s account |
When Should You Get a Credit Card?
Credit cards can be a big responsibility. It may be best to sign up for one whenever you feel ready to take on the responsibility, and when you are confident that you can successfully pay off the debt and manage your finances.
Getting a credit card early on offers some benefits. Namely, it may allow you to start building your credit history as soon as possible. Strong credit leads to financial advantages, such as more favorable loan terms and interest rates.
Here are some signs that you may be ready for a credit card:
- You Meet the Income Requirements
If you have a job or source of income that can allow you to pay off your credit balance each month, you may be able to demonstrate to credit card issuers that you’re ready for a credit card.
- You Pay Your Bills on Time
If you pay bills, including rent or utilities, on time, this is an indicator that you may be able to make your credit card payments on time as well.
- You Understand Interest
Knowing how credit card interest is calculated is crucial in case you ever carry a balance. Interest adds up fast, so be prepared to stay ahead of your balance and pay it off before it gets out of control.
- You’ve Done Your Research
If you’ve done your research on how credit cards work, and understand important terms, such as statement balance vs current balance, minimum payment due, and more, then you may be ready to start thinking about getting your first card.
How to Use Credit Responsibly
However, when you obtain your first credit card, it can be important to understand how to use credit responsibly, and, therefore, how to build your credit history. By setting good financial habits, and consistently maintaining them over time, you and your credit may be on the right track for many years to come. Here are some tips for using credit responsibly:
- Build a Budget
Learning how to build and maintain a budget can be important at any age, especially when you’re first starting out with credit. It’s important to find a budget that works for you and make sure you set aside enough money each month to pay your bills. Some people like the 50/30/20 budgeting strategy. - Be Mindful of Debt
It is a well-known best practice to pay off the full balance of your credit card statement on time. Doing so can help you avoid interest on most transactions and late fees. It can also help to prevent debt from accumulating. Paying off your balance can also help to keep your credit utilization ratio down, which could benefit your credit score. - Make Your Payments On Time
When it comes to your credit card, it’s important to ensure that you make all of your payments on time. While clearing the balance each month is best, you may want to make the minimum payment that’s due on time. By making the minimum payment, you can carry a balance and can be charged interest on the remaining amount. The exception to this is if you have a credit card with a 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR). With these cards, you can carry a balance for a set period of time, without having to pay interest on most transactions.
If you’re concerned about missing a payment, the good news is that most credit card issuers may offer the ability to set up one-time or recurring auto-payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a credit card at 18 could be a good move as it can allow you to start building your credit early. Just make sure you’re prepared financially for a credit card and have done your research so that you’re clear on your responsibilities with having a credit card. You may also want to note that in order to get a credit card at 18 you may need to be receiving income independently and may need to have a cosigner as well.
In the U.S., you can’t apply for your own credit card at 16. However, you may be able to be added to your parent or guardian’s credit account as an authorized user.
The Takeaway
Credit cards are a critical component to building credit, financial stability, and financial independence. Young adults who are able to responsibly use credit cards can work to build credit, which could help them access certain types of financing later on.
1 “How old do you have to be to get a credit card?,” Bankrate
Madeline M. Jarvis is a freelance writer with experience in project management, strategic communications, and community organizing, and an educational background in interdisciplinary studies.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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