Key Takeaways
- You cannot open a credit card in your own name at 17; issuers require you to be 18 or older under federal law.
- Becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card lets you build credit history now, though the primary account holder remains responsible for all charges.
- A secured credit card becomes available at 18 and requires a cash deposit, typically $200 to $2,500, which serves as your credit limit.
- Your credit history and score at 18 depend partly on what you do now, so authorized user status can give you a head start when you open your own card.
Why 18 Is the Legal Minimum
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009 set 18 as the minimum age for credit card contracts. Before that, issuers could extend credit to younger applicants, often targeting college students with aggressive marketing. The law treats a credit card agreement as a binding contract, and you cannot legally sign a binding contract before you turn 18.
This applies to every major issuer: Chase, Bank of America, American Express, Discover, Capital One, and others. No issuer will make an exception for a 17-year-old, even if you have a job, a Social Security number, and a bank account. The restriction is federal, not a company policy you can work around.
Becoming an Authorized User Right Now
An authorized user is someone who can use a credit card account but is not the legal account holder. A parent, guardian, or other adult can add you to their card without you being 18. You receive your own card with your name on it, and you can make purchases up to the credit limit. The primary account holder controls the account, receives the bill, and is responsible for all charges — including anything you spend.
This route has real benefits. Your payment history on that account appears on your credit report starting immediately. If the primary account holder pays on time every month, your credit score begins building now. When you turn 18 and open your own card, you will already have a credit history, which makes approval easier and often gets you better interest rates.
The risk is that if the primary account holder misses payments or carries a high balance, that damage shows up on your credit report too. You have no control over the account, so you cannot fix it yourself. Before you ask someone to add you, make sure they understand that their payment behavior directly affects your credit score.
What Happens When You Turn 18
At 18, you can open a credit card in your own name. Your options depend on your credit history. If you were an authorized user for a year or more, you likely have a credit score in the 600s or higher, which qualifies you for standard cards from most issuers. You can compare rewards cards, cash-back cards, and cards with no annual fee — the same options available to any adult.
If you have no credit history at 18, a secured credit card is the standard entry point. You deposit money into a savings account held by the issuer — usually $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, and your on-time payments build your credit score. After 6 to 18 months of responsible use, the issuer may convert your account to a standard unsecured card and return your deposit.
Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and US Bank Secured Visa are common options. Each has different deposit requirements and fees, so compare them before you apply. The goal is to use the card for small purchases you would make anyway, pay the full balance each month, and watch your credit score climb.
Building Credit as an Authorized User
If you become an authorized user now, use the card strategically. Ask the primary account holder to keep the balance low — ideally under 30% of the credit limit — because high balances hurt credit scores even if they are paid in full each month. Make small purchases on the card, and make sure the primary account holder pays the bill on time.
You do not need to make charges yourself. Simply being on the account and having the primary account holder use it responsibly builds your credit. Some people add a teenager as an authorized user and never give them a card; the account still reports to the teenager's credit file.
When you turn 18, you can request your credit report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com. This is the only free source for your official credit report; other websites charge or try to sell you monitoring services. Check that the authorized user account is listed correctly and that all payments are marked on time.
Mistakes to Avoid Before You Turn 18
Do not ask someone to open a credit card in their name for you to use. This is fraud, and it damages both your credit and theirs when the account goes unpaid. The account holder is legally responsible, and if you do not pay, they face collection calls and a damaged credit score.
Do not assume a prepaid card or debit card builds credit. These cards are not credit products — they draw from money you already have — so they do not report to credit bureaus and do not build a credit score. They are useful for spending control, but they do not help you prepare for credit at 18.
Do not ignore the authorized user account once you turn 18. If the primary account holder later misses payments or closes the account, that history stays on your credit report for seven years. If you see problems forming, ask to be removed as an authorized user before damage accumulates.
Comparing Your Options at 17
| Option | Age Required | Credit Building | Your Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authorized user | Any age | Yes, if primary account holder pays on time | None — primary account holder is responsible |
| Wait until 18 | 18+ | Starts at 18 with your first card | Full responsibility for your own account |
| Secured card at 18 | 18+ | Yes, from your first purchase | Full responsibility; you provide the deposit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card if I have a job at 17?
No. Having income does not change the age requirement. Federal law requires you to be 18 to sign a credit card contract, regardless of employment status. A job does help you at 18, though — issuers look at income when you open your first card.
Does being an authorized user hurt my credit if I never use the card?
No. Your credit score only improves if the primary account holder pays on time. If you never use the card, your score still benefits from the account's positive payment history. You can be added and never receive a physical card.
What if the primary account holder has bad credit?
Their bad credit transfers to you. Late payments, high balances, and collections on their account all appear on your credit report. If they have poor credit, becoming an authorized user will hurt your score, not help it. Wait until you turn 18 instead.
Can I remove myself as an authorized user if the account goes bad?
You cannot remove yourself, but you can ask the primary account holder to remove you. Once removed, new charges do not report to your credit file, but the account's history stays on your report for seven years. Removing yourself stops future damage but does not erase past damage.
Is a secured card the only option at 18 if I have no credit history?
It is the most common option, but some issuers offer unsecured cards to 18-year-olds with no history if you have steady income. Capital One and Discover sometimes approve first-time applicants without a deposit. A secured card is more reliable, though — approval is nearly may provide if you have the deposit.