How Old Do You Have to Be to Be Added to a Credit Card?

Credit cards offer a convenient way to manage finances and make purchases. Adding someone to an existing credit card account involves understanding specific requirements and processes set by the credit card issuer. This includes considerations about age and financial responsibility.

Age Requirements for Authorized Users

There is no federal law establishing a minimum age for an individual to be added as an authorized user on a credit card account. Federal regulations requiring primary cardholders to be at least 21 years old do not apply to authorized users. Instead, age requirements are determined by individual credit card issuers.

Many credit card companies allow authorized users as young as 13 or 16 years old, while some have no minimum age requirement. The primary cardholder retains full financial responsibility for all charges made on the account, regardless of the authorized user’s age.

Understanding Authorized Users

An authorized user is an individual granted permission to use the primary cardholder’s credit card account. They receive a card with their name on it and can make purchases, but they are not legally responsible for the debt incurred on the account. This differs significantly from a joint account holder, where both parties share equal legal and financial responsibility for the credit line and repayment.

Being an authorized user can influence an individual’s credit history. If the primary account is managed responsibly with timely payments and low utilization, the authorized user’s credit report may reflect this positive activity, potentially helping them build a credit history. Conversely, if the primary account experiences late payments or high debt, this negative activity can also appear on the authorized user’s credit report.

Information Required to Add an Authorized User

When a primary cardholder decides to add an authorized user, certain personal details about that individual are typically required by the credit card issuer. This information allows the issuer to properly identify the authorized user and link them to the primary account. Common data points requested include the authorized user’s full legal name, date of birth, and current address.

Some credit card companies may also ask for the authorized user’s Social Security Number (SSN). Providing an SSN allows the issuer to report the account activity to the major credit bureaus, which can impact the authorized user’s credit file. The exact requirements can vary, so it is advisable to confirm with the specific credit card issuer.

Steps to Add an Authorized User

Once all necessary information for the prospective authorized user has been gathered, the primary cardholder can proceed with adding them to the account. Most credit card issuers offer several convenient methods for this process. The most common options include logging into the primary cardholder’s online account portal, where a dedicated section for managing authorized users is usually available.

Alternatively, the primary cardholder can contact the credit card company’s customer service department by phone to complete the request. Some issuers may also allow requests to be submitted via mail. After the request is processed, a new credit card bearing the authorized user’s name is typically mailed to the primary cardholder’s address or directly to the authorized user, along with instructions for activation.