How to Get a Credit Card If You’re Under 18

Many young individuals seek a credit card for online purchases, personal finance management, or to establish credit history. For those under 18, specific legal and practical considerations significantly impact eligibility. Understanding these requirements and exploring available options is important for navigating the path to obtaining a credit card or building credit.

Understanding Age Requirements for Credit Cards

Federal law mandates individuals be at least 18 to open a credit card account in their own name. This age requirement stems from the legal capacity to enter into a contract. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 stipulates that applicants under 21 must demonstrate independent income sufficient to repay debt or have a co-signer. This framework protects young consumers from unmanageable debt. Consequently, individuals under 18 cannot independently apply for a credit card, and those aged 18 to 20 face additional hurdles regarding income verification or requiring a co-signer.

Applying for a Credit Card with Parental Support

While direct credit card applications are restricted for those under 18, parental support offers pathways to access a card and begin building financial responsibility. One common method involves becoming an authorized user on a parent’s existing credit card account. As an authorized user, the minor receives a card linked to the primary account, allowing them to make purchases. The primary cardholder remains solely responsible for all charges and payments; their credit history influences the authorized user’s credit report.

To add a minor as an authorized user, the parent contacts their card issuer, providing the minor’s name and birthdate; some issuers may also require a Social Security number. Some credit card companies allow individuals as young as 13 to be added as authorized users, though age requirements vary by issuer. This arrangement can help the minor establish a credit history, provided the primary account is managed responsibly with on-time payments and low credit utilization.

Another approach involves applying for a credit card with a co-signer, usually a parent or guardian who is at least 21 and has a strong credit history. The co-signer agrees to share legal responsibility for the debt, obligated to make payments if the primary applicant defaults. This can enable an individual aged 18 to 20 to qualify for a credit card without sufficient independent income. However, many major credit card issuers no longer offer co-signed credit cards, making this option less common than becoming an authorized user.

Exploring Alternative Card Products

Beyond traditional credit cards, several alternative card products exist, though their suitability for individuals under 18 varies. Secured credit cards require a cash deposit, which serves as the credit limit, mitigating issuer risk. While beneficial for building credit history, secured cards require applicants to be 18 or older to open an account in their own name. A parent could potentially open a secured card and then add a minor as an authorized user, but this is less frequent than with unsecured cards.

Student credit cards are designed for college students, often with lower credit limits and rewards tailored to student spending. These cards require applicants to be 18 or older, demonstrate enrollment in a higher education institution, and prove independent income. If an applicant is under 21, they need to show sufficient income or have a co-signer, similar to other credit cards. Therefore, student credit cards are not a direct solution for those under 18.

Prepaid debit cards differ, as they are not credit products and do not involve borrowing money. Users load their own funds onto these cards, which can be spent like cash, useful for budgeting and managing expenses. However, because prepaid cards do not extend a line of credit, their usage is not reported to credit bureaus and does not contribute to building a credit history. They serve as a practical tool for managing spending without impacting credit.

Building Credit Without a Credit Card

Establishing a credit history is achievable without direct access to a credit card. Credit builder loans help individuals create a positive payment record. With this loan, the money borrowed is held by the lender in a locked account, and the borrower makes regular payments over a set term. These on-time payments are reported to the major credit bureaus, such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, which helps build a payment history, a significant factor in credit scoring. Once the loan is fully repaid, the borrower receives access to the initial loan amount, minus any interest or fees.

Another strategy involves reporting on-time rent and utility payments to credit bureaus. While landlords and utility companies do not automatically report positive payment history, third-party services can facilitate this. These services collect payment data and transmit it to credit bureaus, allowing consistent payments for housing, electricity, water, internet, and cell phone bills to contribute to a credit report. This can be beneficial for individuals with limited credit files, as it adds alternative data to their credit history.

Beyond specific products, cultivating responsible financial habits forms a foundation of future creditworthiness. Consistently paying all bills on time, managing bank accounts responsibly, and understanding personal spending patterns are important practices. While these actions may not always be directly reported to credit bureaus in the same way as loan or credit card payments, they demonstrate reliability and prepare an individual for managing credit effectively once they become eligible for traditional credit products.