What credit cards are actually available at 17

You cannot get a standard credit card in your own name at 17. Credit card issuers require you to be 18 years old, and that is a legal requirement under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act). No major issuer — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or the banks that issue through them — will bypass this.

What you can do at 17 depends on your situation and what you are trying to build. The most common options are becoming an authorized user on someone else's card, opening a secured credit card the moment you turn 18, or using a debit card to build spending history in the meantime.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 to hold a credit card in your own name; this is a federal requirement with no exceptions.
  • Becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card can help you build credit history before you turn 18, though the primary cardholder remains responsible for all charges.
  • A secured credit card — which requires a cash deposit — is often the easiest option to open on your 18th birthday if you have no credit history.
  • Using a debit card or prepaid card now does not build credit, but it teaches spending habits that will help you manage a real credit card later.
  • Your credit score at 18 depends partly on what you do in the months before, so starting as an authorized user now can give you a head start.

Becoming an authorized user before 18

An authorized user is someone who can use a credit card account but is not legally responsible for paying the bill. If a parent or guardian adds you to their card, you get a card in your name, you can make purchases, and those purchases show up on their bill. The primary cardholder pays everything.

This is the fastest way to start building credit at 17. When you use the card responsibly — small purchases, paid off each month — the account history reports to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) under your name. By the time you turn 18, you may already have a credit score, which makes getting your own card easier.

The catch: the primary cardholder is fully responsible if you overspend or miss payments. Some issuers allow the primary cardholder to set a spending limit on the authorized user card, but not all. Talk to the cardholder before you ask to be added, and agree on what the card is for and what you will and will not buy.

What happens on your 18th birthday

The day you turn 18, you can open a credit card account in your own name. You do not have to wait for a birthday to pass or for any other event. You can walk into a bank, go online, or call an issuer and start the process immediately.

If you have been an authorized user for several months, you will likely have a credit score by then. A score in the 600–700 range (depending on how the authorized user account was managed) makes you a reasonable candidate for a standard card with a modest credit limit, often $500 to $2,000. If you have no credit history at all, a secured card is usually the clearest path.

Secured cards: the easiest option with no credit history

A secured credit card works like this: you put down a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500), and the issuer gives you a credit limit equal to that deposit. You use the card like any other credit card, make monthly payments, and the deposit stays in a savings account at the bank. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers convert the account to a standard unsecured card and return your deposit.

Secured cards report to all three credit bureaus, so every on-time payment builds your score. The interest rate is higher than a standard card (often 18–24%), but if you pay the full balance each month, you pay no interest at all. The annual fee is usually $25 to $50.

Examples of secured cards available at 18 include the Capital One Secured Mastercard, the Discover it Secured Credit Card, and the OpenSky Secured Visa Card. Each has different deposit minimums and fee structures, so compare them before you choose.

Why debit and prepaid cards do not build credit

A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account. A prepaid card is loaded with money upfront, like a gift card. Neither one reports to credit bureaus, so neither one builds a credit score or credit history. They are useful for learning to budget and for making purchases safely, but they do not help you prepare for a credit card.

If you are 17 and want to start building credit right now, ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user. If that is not possible, focus on opening a secured card the moment you turn 18.

What to do if a parent cannot add you as an authorized user

Some parents do not have credit cards, or they are not comfortable adding a teenager to their account. That is fine. You have other options.

First, use the time before 18 to learn about credit. Read about how credit scores work, what APR means, how minimum payments work, and why paying on time matters. This knowledge will help you avoid costly mistakes when you open your own card.

Second, save money for a secured card deposit. If you can put together $300 to $500 by your 18th birthday, you can open a secured card immediately and start building credit from day one. Third, check whether your bank offers a student checking account or teen account; some banks have programs that let you practice managing money with parental oversight.

Building credit from 18 onward

Your credit score is built on five factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). Starting as an authorized user or with a secured card at 18 gives you a head start on the first three.

Once you have your own card, the most important thing is to pay on time, every time. A single late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more. Keep your balance well below your credit limit — ideally under 30% of your limit — and do not open multiple new cards in a short period.

After 12 to 24 months of responsible use, you will likely be offered a standard unsecured card with better rewards and a lower interest rate. At that point, you can close the secured card and get your deposit back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card at 17 if I have a job?

No. Having income does not change the age requirement. You must be 18 to open a credit card account in your own name, regardless of employment status. You can, however, ask a parent or guardian to add you as an authorized user on their card.

Will being an authorized user hurt the primary cardholder's credit?

No. Adding you as an authorized user does not change the primary cardholder's credit score or credit report. It only adds the account history to your credit report. If you overspend or the account goes unpaid, that affects the primary cardholder's score, not yours — but the account still reports to your credit file.

What if I turn 18 and have no credit history at all?

A secured credit card is your best option. You will need a cash deposit and a bank account, but approval is nearly may provide. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you can graduate to a standard card and get your deposit back.

Can I use a prepaid card to build credit?

No. Prepaid cards do not report to credit bureaus, so they do not build a credit score. They are useful for budgeting and safe spending, but they will not help you prepare for a credit card. Focus on becoming an authorized user or opening a secured card instead.

Do I need a Social Security number to be added as an authorized user?

Most issuers require a Social Security number to add an authorized user, but some do not. Ask the card issuer before you ask the primary cardholder to add you. If you do not have a Social Security number, you may still be able to open a secured card at 18 using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).