In the United States, you must be at least 18 years old to get a credit card in your own name. Federal law adds a second layer: applicants under 21 must show proof of independent income or have a cosigner. Anyone under 18 cannot hold their own account but can be added to a parent’s card as an authorized user.
Federal Law Sets Two Separate Age Thresholds
The two federal age thresholds for credit cards are 18 and 21, established by the Credit CARD Act of 2009 (the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, a federal law that created nationwide consumer protections for credit card users). The CFPB outlines both thresholds and your rights as a young cardholder on their credit cards page.
At 18, a person legally becomes an adult and can enter binding financial contracts, including credit card agreements.
At 21, income restrictions are lifted entirely. Anyone between 18 and 20 must either demonstrate a verifiable, independent source of income or have a creditworthy adult cosigner (a person who agrees to share legal responsibility for the debt if the primary cardholder cannot pay).
What “Proof of Income” Actually Means If You Are Under 21
Issuers require applicants under 21 to document income that belongs to them alone. Part-time job wages, freelance earnings, and regular stipends all qualify. Scholarship funds used for living expenses may qualify at some issuers but not others.
Household income shared with a parent or spouse does not count as the applicant’s own income for this purpose. A student who relies entirely on parental support and has no personal earnings will need a cosigner to obtain a card independently.
The income threshold is not a fixed dollar amount set by law. Each issuer decides internally what level of income it considers sufficient, which means one bank may approve a student earning $800 per month while another requires more.
The Authorized User Path: Under 18 Is Possible
Children as young as 13 can be added to a parent’s credit card account as an authorized user (a person who can make purchases on the account but has no legal obligation to repay the balance) at most major issuers. Federal law sets no minimum age for this status, making it the only credit path available to anyone under 18.
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Individual issuers set their own minimum age floors, shown in the table below.
| Card Issuer | Minimum Age for Authorized User |
|---|---|
| American Express | 13 |
| Chase | 13 |
| Discover | 15 |
| Capital One | No minimum stated |
| Bank of America | 13 |
| Citi | No minimum stated |
Being an authorized user can help a young person begin building a credit history before they turn 18, provided the issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Not all issuers do this automatically, so parents should confirm reporting policy before adding a minor. The CFPB’s guide to credit reports explains exactly what gets reported and how to review a credit file.
Student Credit Cards: Built for College Students 18 and Up
Student credit cards are a product category designed specifically for enrolled college students who are at least 18 and have limited or no credit history. Issuers typically offer lower credit limits, often between $500 and $1,500, in exchange for a more accessible approval process, and many first-time applicants find the requirements notably manageable compared to standard cards.
Most student cards do not require a security deposit. They often include rewards on categories that matter to students, such as dining, streaming services, and groceries.
To qualify, an applicant still must meet the income requirement for under-21 applicants. A student who works part-time while attending school will generally be in a stronger position than one who has no income at all.
Secured Cards: The Most Accessible Route at 18
Secured cards are the most accessible credit card option at 18 because the applicant places a refundable cash deposit, typically $200 to $500, with the issuer upfront, which becomes the credit limit and eliminates most of the lender’s risk. This type of card, known as a secured credit card, has significantly easier approval standards than any unsecured card.
Secured cards are fully legal credit products, not prepaid cards. They report to the major credit bureaus exactly like unsecured cards, meaning responsible use builds a real credit score over time.
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, many issuers will upgrade the account to an unsecured card and return the deposit in full. That progression makes a secured card one of the smartest starting points available to a young adult.
How Starting Early Shapes Your Credit Score for Decades
Starting as an authorized user at 15 and opening a personal card at 18 can give a person 3 full years of credit history before they graduate high school, a meaningful advantage over someone starting at zero at 18. Credit scoring models specifically reward the length of credit history, compounding that early start over time.
The average age of accounts is one component inside a FICO score (the most widely used credit scoring model in the United States). Every year of credit history added early compounds in value as new accounts are opened later. USA.gov’s credit score overview explains how scoring models work and why starting early matters.
Age Requirements at a Glance
The table below summarizes the minimum age and key requirement for every credit card situation in the United States.
| Situation | Minimum Age | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Independent credit card application | 18 | Must be a legal adult |
| Independent application, no cosigner (ages 18-20) | 18 | Must prove independent income |
| Application with no income restrictions | 21 | No income documentation required |
| Authorized user on a parent’s account | Varies (often 13) | Parent must add you |
| Student credit card | 18 | Enrollment at accredited school |
| Secured credit card | 18 | Refundable cash deposit required |
Building Credit Right From the Start
Payment history accounts for 35% of a FICO score and is the single most important factor a new cardholder controls. Missing even one payment by 30 or more days creates a derogatory mark that remains on a credit report for 7 years.
Young cardholders benefit most from keeping their balance below 30% of their credit limit, a ratio known as credit utilization (the percentage of available credit currently in use), and setting up autopay to avoid missed payments entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 17-year-old get a credit card?
No. No one under 18 can open their own credit card account in the United States. A 17-year-old can be added as an authorized user on a parent’s or guardian’s account, which allows card use and can begin building a credit history, but the account itself legally belongs to the adult.
Can an 18-year-old get a credit card without a job?
Technically yes, with a cosigner. Federal law requires applicants between 18 and 20 to show independent income or have a creditworthy adult cosign the account. Without either, most issuers will decline the application. A secured card with a deposit is often the most accessible option for an 18-year-old without income.
What is the easiest credit card to get at 18?
A secured credit card is the easiest type to qualify for at 18 because the cash deposit eliminates most of the lender’s risk. Several major issuers offer secured cards with deposits as low as $200, designed specifically for first-time credit builders with no credit history.
Does being an authorized user build credit?
Yes, in most cases. When an issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus, the account history appears on the authorized user’s credit report. If the primary cardholder pays on time and keeps balances low, this benefits the authorized user’s score. If the primary cardholder misses payments, it can hurt the authorized user’s score as well.
Can a college student under 21 get a credit card without a cosigner?
Yes, if they have verifiable independent income. A part-time job, paid internship, or regular freelance earnings will generally satisfy the income requirement issuers apply to applicants under 21. A student with no personal income will need either a cosigner or a secured card to access credit on their own.