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

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1637, establishes minimum age requirements for obtaining a credit card in the United States. Under the CARD Act, card issuers are prohibited from issuing a credit card to anyone under the age of 21 unless one of two conditions is met: the applicant can demonstrate independent means of repaying the debt, or a parent or legal guardian co-signs the account.

In practice, many issuers use 18 as the effective minimum age for applicants who can show proof of income. If you are 18 to 20 years old and have a job or verifiable independent income, you may be able to qualify for a credit card on your own without a co-signer. If you cannot demonstrate income, you will typically need a co-signer or co-applicant aged 21 or older until you reach age 21 yourself. For more on the legal age question, see our related guide on what age you can get a credit card.

If you are between 18 and 20 years old, you may apply for a credit card independently if you have verifiable income — such as wages, salary, or self-employment income — that indicates an independent ability to make payments. The CFPB notes that scholarship income, grants, and financial aid generally do not count as independent income for this purpose, though earned income typically does.

Cards designed for students and secured credit cards are often more accessible for young adults with limited credit history. A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit — typically equal to your credit limit — and reports your payment activity to the major credit bureaus, helping you build a credit history. Understanding the age requirement for a debit card is also useful — many teens start with a debit card before transitioning to credit.

Being added as an authorized user on another person's credit card account is not subject to the same age restrictions as opening an account independently. Card issuers set their own minimum authorized-user age policies, and many allow minors to be added as authorized users at any age — though some set minimums such as 13 or 16.

As an authorized user, you receive a card to use but are not legally responsible for the debt. The primary account holder is responsible for all charges. Many card issuers report authorized user activity to credit bureaus, which means the account's payment history may appear on the authorized user's credit report and begin building their credit file. This can be a useful way for young people to establish credit history before they are old enough to open their own account. Compare this to a kids debit card, which builds spending habits without creating credit history.

Young adults who are not yet old enough or income-eligible for a credit card have several options for beginning to build a credit history. Being added as an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card is one of the most common approaches. Credit-builder loans — offered by some community banks and credit unions — are another option. With a credit-builder loan, the loan proceeds are held in a savings account while you make monthly payments, and on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus.

The CFPB notes that payment history is the largest factor in most credit scoring models, so establishing a consistent record of on-time payments early is valuable. Checking your credit report periodically at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized free credit report site — helps you monitor what is being reported in your name. You can also explore investment accounts for kids to start building wealth in parallel with building credit.

Once you qualify for and obtain a credit card, using it responsibly is essential for building and maintaining a strong credit history. The CFPB recommends paying your full statement balance each month to avoid interest charges, keeping your balance well below your credit limit, and never making only the minimum payment as a long-term strategy.

Credit card interest rates — commonly expressed as the annual percentage rate (APR) — may be 20% or higher for cards marketed to consumers with no or limited credit history as of 2026. Carrying a balance month to month at high APRs can accumulate quickly and make debt difficult to eliminate. Treat your credit card as a payment tool rather than as a source of spending power beyond your means. If you are concerned about high-interest debt, learn how to avoid paying interest on a credit card. You may also want to understand options for accepting card payments through our guide on how to accept credit card payments. If you later need to close an account, understanding how to cancel a credit card correctly can protect your credit score.