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

Understanding the requirements for obtaining a credit card is an important step toward establishing financial responsibility. Many individuals, especially younger adults, often wonder about the specific age thresholds and conditions that apply to credit card eligibility. Navigating these rules helps consumers make informed decisions about managing their finances.

The Minimum Age Requirement

In the United States, the federal minimum age for an individual to open their own credit card account is 18 years old. This age aligns with the legal capacity to enter into contracts, which includes credit card agreements. While 18 is the minimum age to apply, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 significantly altered the requirements for young applicants. This legislation introduced specific protections for consumers under 21.

The CARD Act mandates that individuals aged 18, 19, or 20 must demonstrate an independent means to repay credit card debt, preventing them from accumulating unmanageable debt. Being 18 years old is a necessary condition for applying for a credit card, but it is not always sufficient for approval. Card issuers must consider an applicant’s ability to make the required payments based on their income or assets.

Options for Individuals Under 21

For individuals between 18 and 20 years old, the CARD Act requires applicants to either provide proof of independent income or have a qualified cosigner. Independent income can include wages, self-employment earnings, investment income, or public assistance. The income must be sufficient to cover minimum payments. While cosigners were historically an option, many major credit card issuers no longer permit them, making independent income the more common pathway for this age group.

For those under 18, obtaining a primary credit card account is not possible due to legal restrictions on contracting. A common alternative is to become an authorized user on another person’s credit card account. As an authorized user, an individual receives a card linked to the primary cardholder’s account and can make purchases, but they are not legally responsible for the debt incurred. This arrangement can help a younger individual begin to build a credit history, as the primary cardholder’s responsible payment behavior may be reported to credit bureaus.

However, the primary cardholder assumes full financial responsibility for all charges, including those made by the authorized user. Any mismanagement of the account can negatively impact both parties’ credit scores. Many card issuers allow authorized users as young as 13, and some have no minimum age requirement.

Key Eligibility Factors

Beyond age and the specific requirements for younger applicants, credit card issuers evaluate several other factors to determine an applicant’s creditworthiness. A stable income source and employment status are important as they demonstrate an applicant’s ability to make consistent payments. Lenders assess reported income from various sources.

Credit history and a good credit score also play a significant role in approval decisions. For first-time applicants, who often have limited or no credit history, lenders may offer “starter” credit cards designed to help individuals build credit. A strong credit score, built through a history of on-time payments and responsible credit utilization, indicates a lower risk to lenders. Lenders also consider an applicant’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which compares monthly debt payments to gross monthly income. A lower DTI ratio indicates more disposable income to manage new debt, which is viewed favorably by lenders. Identity verification, typically requiring a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and a valid government-issued identification, is a standard part of the application process for all applicants.