You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 17 in the United States
Credit card companies are required by federal law to only issue cards to people 18 and older. This rule comes from the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (the CARD Act), passed in 2009. The law treats credit cards like other contracts — you have to be a legal adult to sign one.
That does not mean you have no options. There are three real paths forward: becoming an authorized user on someone else's card, opening a secured card the moment you turn 18, or using a debit card to build spending habits now. Each one has a different purpose and different tradeoffs.
Key Takeaways
- Federal law requires you to be 18 to hold a credit card in your own name, regardless of your income or credit history.
- You can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card right now, which may help you build credit if the card issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus.
- A secured credit card — which requires a cash deposit — becomes available the day you turn 18 and is the fastest way to start your own credit history.
- A debit card or prepaid card lets you practice managing money now without building credit, but it does not count toward your credit score.
- Starting at 17 with a parent's help positions you to have established credit by the time you need to rent an apartment or finance a car.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
An authorized user is someone who can use a credit card account but is not legally responsible for the debt. Your parent or guardian remains the account holder. You get a card with your name on it, you can make purchases, and the activity shows up on your credit report — but your parent controls the account and pays the bill.
Not every card issuer reports authorized user activity to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Before your parent adds you, ask the card issuer directly whether they report authorized users. Major issuers like Chase, American Express, Bank of America, and Discover do report this activity, but smaller banks and credit unions may not. If they do not report it, being an authorized user will not help your credit score.
The advantage is that you can start building a credit history right now. The disadvantage is that you are dependent on your parent's payment behavior — if they miss a payment or carry a high balance, that damage shows up on your credit report too. You also have no control over the account and cannot remove yourself if the relationship changes.
Opening a secured card at 18
The moment you turn 18, you can open a secured credit card. This is a real credit card, but it requires you to put down a cash deposit — usually between $200 and $2,500 — that serves as collateral. The card issuer holds your deposit in a savings account while you use the card and build a payment history.
Secured cards report to all three credit bureaus, so every on-time payment builds your credit score from zero. After 6 to 18 months of responsible use, many issuers will convert your card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. Some cards, like the Capital One Secured Mastercard and the Discover it Secured card, are designed specifically for this path.
The tradeoff is that your money is tied up in the deposit for months. You also pay an annual fee (usually $0 to $39) and a higher interest rate than someone with established credit would get. But if you pay your balance in full each month, the interest rate does not matter. The deposit is worth it because you are building real credit history that will lower your rates on future cards, car loans, and mortgages.
Using a debit or prepaid card until 18
A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account and does not build credit. A prepaid card is loaded with money upfront and works the same way — it is not a loan, so there is no credit history to build. Neither one shows up on your credit report.
The advantage is that you can practice managing money, setting budgets, and tracking spending without any risk. You cannot spend money you do not have. The disadvantage is that you are not building credit, so at 18 you will start from zero.
This is a reasonable choice if you want to learn how to handle money responsibly before taking on credit. Many people use a debit card at 17 and then open a secured card at 18 with the discipline they have already built.
Why starting early matters
Credit history is built over time. The longer your accounts have been open and the more on-time payments you have made, the higher your credit score. If you start at 17 as an authorized user or wait until 18 to open a secured card, you will have 6 to 12 months of history by the time you are 19 or 20.
That matters because landlords, car lenders, and insurance companies all check your credit. A 20-year-old with two years of on-time payments will get better rates and approval odds than a 20-year-old with no credit history at all. Starting at 17 is not required, but it is the difference between being ready and scrambling when you need to rent your first apartment.
What happens if you try to apply at 17
If you apply for a credit card directly in your own name at 17, the application will be denied automatically. The card issuer's system checks your age against your Social Security number and rejects anyone under 18. There is no exception for income, employment, or creditworthiness.
Some people ask whether a co-signer can help. A co-signer is someone who agrees to pay the debt if you do not. Credit card companies do not accept co-signers for this reason — the law requires the cardholder to be 18, and a co-signer does not change that. A co-signer works for other loans like car loans or mortgages, but not credit cards.
Your next steps at 17
If you have a parent or guardian willing to help, ask them whether they would add you as an authorized user on a card they already have. Check with their issuer first to confirm they report authorized users. If they do, you can start building credit immediately.
If that is not an option, mark your 18th birthday on your calendar. On that day, you can open a secured card. Research which card fits your situation — look at the deposit amount, annual fee, and whether the issuer has a clear path to converting to an unsecured card. Having a plan before your birthday means you can apply the same day and start building credit right away.
In the meantime, use a debit card to practice budgeting and tracking spending. These habits will serve you well once you have a credit card, because credit cards require more discipline than debit cards — you have to remember to pay the bill, not just check your balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parents co-sign a credit card for me at 17?
No. Credit card companies do not accept co-signers because federal law requires the cardholder to be 18. A co-signer works for car loans and mortgages, but not credit cards. Your parent can add you as an authorized user instead, which is the closest option.
If I am an authorized user, can my parent see what I buy?
Yes. Your parent receives the monthly statement and can see every transaction. They can also set spending limits or remove you from the account at any time. This is why it works best with a parent you trust and who trusts you.
What if I turn 18 and have no credit history at all?
You start with a secured card. Your credit score will be calculated for the first time after your first statement closes, usually 30 to 45 days after you open the card. It will be low at first, but it climbs quickly if you pay on time.
Do I need a job to get a credit card at 18?
Most secured cards do not require proof of income because your deposit is collateral. Unsecured cards usually do ask for income information. At 18 with no credit history, a secured card is your easiest path regardless of employment status.
Is it better to wait until 18 or become an authorized user now?
Becoming an authorized user now is better if the card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, because you gain 6 to 12 months of history before you turn 18. But only do it if your parent has good payment habits and a low balance — their mistakes become your credit history too.