How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card? (Rules by Age)
Quick answer: You must be at least 18 years old to get a credit card in your own name. If you're 18 to 20, federal law requires you to show your own income (or have a cosigner age 21+, which few issuers allow). At 21 and older, you can count income you have reasonable access to, such as a spouse's. Under 18, the only option is becoming an authorized user on a parent's card.
Credit Card Age Rules at a Glance
| Your age | Can you get a credit card? | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Only as an authorized user with some issuers | A parent adds you to their account |
| 13 to 17 | As an authorized user only | Age limits depend on the issuer |
| 18 to 20 | Yes, your own card | Proof of independent income or assets (or a cosigner 21+) |
| 21 and older | Yes | Income you have a reasonable expectation of access to |
Why You Must Be 18
A credit card is a legal contract. In the U.S., people under the age of majority generally can't be held to a contract, so issuers require applicants to be at least 18. A few states set the age of majority higher (for example, 19 in Alabama and Nebraska), and some issuers follow those local rules.
The Under-21 Rule (CARD Act)
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 added extra protection for young adults. If you're under 21, a card issuer can only approve you if:
- You have an independent ability to pay: your own wages, salary, tips, scholarships you can spend, or savings; or
- Someone 21 or older cosigns and agrees to repay the debt if you don't.
Income you only "have access to", like a parent's paycheck, doesn't count before 21. In practice, most major issuers no longer accept cosigners, so the realistic path is showing your own income, even from a part-time job.
After you turn 21, the rule relaxes: issuers can consider income you have a reasonable expectation of access to, such as a spouse's or partner's income that's regularly shared with you.
Options If You're Under 18
You can't open your own card, but you can start building credit history:
- Become an authorized user on a parent's card. The account's on-time history can appear on your credit report. Minimum ages vary: American Express allows authorized users 13 and older, Discover 15 and older, and several large banks don't set a minimum. Parents: read our guide on adding your child to your credit card.
- Use a teen debit card to learn budgeting. It won't build credit, but it builds good habits.
Best First Steps at 18–20
- Student credit cards: designed for applicants with little or no credit history.
- Secured credit cards: you put down a refundable deposit that becomes your limit. Approval is easier, and they report to the credit bureaus.
- Store cards: often easier to get, but they come with high APRs. Pay the full balance every month.
Not sure where to start? See how to get your first credit card and our list of the best credit cards for bad or no credit.
Tips for Young Cardholders
- Pay the full statement balance every month to avoid interest.
- Keep your balance under 30% of your limit when the statement closes.
- Turn on autopay so you never miss a payment. See what happens if you pay late.
- Don't open several cards at once. Each application can cause a hard inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a minor get a credit card?
Not in their own name. People under 18 can only use a credit card as an authorized user on someone else's account.
Can I get a credit card at 18 with no job?
It's difficult. Before 21 you need independent income or assets. Money from a part-time job, a paid internship, or savings in your own name can count.
Can my parents cosign my first credit card?
The law allows a cosigner age 21 or older, but most major issuers no longer offer cosigned credit cards. Becoming an authorized user is the usual alternative.
Does being an authorized user build credit?
Usually yes. Many issuers report authorized users to the credit bureaus, so the account's positive history can help. Late payments on the account can hurt it too.
What's the best age to get a first credit card?
There's no perfect age. Many people start at 18 to 21 with a student or secured card, as long as they have steady income and can pay the balance in full.
Updated September 2026. Sources: the Credit CARD Act of 2009 and Regulation Z (12 CFR § 1026.51) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and issuers' published authorized-user policies. Store Card Guide is not a lender. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
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