You can get a credit card at 17, but only with a co-signer, and the card will be in both your names

Credit card companies will not issue a card to anyone under 18 without a co-signer — usually a parent or guardian. The card itself becomes a joint account, meaning both you and the co-signer are legally responsible for charges and payments. Your co-signer's credit score affects whether you get approved, and their credit report will show the account too.

The alternative is becoming an authorized user on someone else's card. You get your own card to use, but you have no legal responsibility for the bill — the primary cardholder does. This route requires no application of your own and no credit check on you, though some issuers do report authorized user accounts to credit bureaus.

Key Takeaways

  • A co-signer must be at least 18 and will share legal responsibility for all charges and payments on the account.
  • Authorized user status lets you use a card without a credit check or legal obligation, but the primary cardholder controls the account.
  • Cards issued to minors often have lower credit limits and may carry higher interest rates than adult cards.
  • Building credit as a minor takes time — most issuers report authorized user accounts to credit bureaus only after 30 to 60 days of activity.

Getting a card as a co-signer account at 17

When you apply for a credit card with a co-signer, the issuer will pull credit reports on both of you. Your co-signer's credit history, income, and existing debt load determine approval far more than your own situation does — you have no credit history yet. If your co-signer has fair or poor credit, approval becomes unlikely even if they have stable income.

The card will have both names on it, and both of you can use it. Charges made by either person count toward the same balance and the same credit limit. If you miss a payment, it damages both credit scores. If your co-signer stops paying, you are legally on the hook for the full balance.

Most issuers that offer co-signer accounts to minors set lower credit limits — often $500 to $1,500 — and charge higher interest rates than they would for an adult-only account. Some require the co-signer to be a parent or legal guardian rather than any adult. Call the issuer's customer service line before applying to confirm they accept co-signers under 18.

Becoming an authorized user instead

An authorized user account is simpler and lower-risk for both you and the primary cardholder. You receive a card in your name that draws from the primary cardholder's account. You can make purchases, but you do not sign any contract and have no legal obligation to pay the bill. The primary cardholder remains solely responsible.

The primary cardholder can set spending limits, freeze the card, or remove you at any time without your consent. They see every charge you make on their statement. This makes it a good way to learn how credit cards work under supervision — the adult can review your spending and teach you before you have your own account.

Many credit card issuers report authorized user accounts to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means the account can help build your credit history. However, some issuers do not report authorized user accounts, and others wait 30 to 60 days before reporting. Ask the primary cardholder's issuer whether they report authorized users before you count on this for credit-building.

How credit reporting works when you are under 18

Credit bureaus do not have a separate system for minors — your credit file opens the moment a lender reports an account in your name. A co-signer account or an authorized user account both create a credit file for you, and both can affect your credit score.

Payment history is the largest factor in credit scores. If the account is paid on time every month, your score rises. If payments are late, your score drops — and this happens regardless of whether you made the charge or the co-signer did. This is why the co-signer relationship matters: your co-signer's financial habits directly shape your credit future.

Authorized user accounts work differently. If you are added to an account with a long, clean payment history, that positive history can boost your score immediately. If the account has missed payments or high balances, it can hurt your score. You have no control over this — the primary cardholder's behavior determines the impact.

What happens to the account when you turn 18

A co-signer account does not automatically convert when you turn 18. The account remains in both names unless you and your co-signer take action to change it. You can contact the issuer and ask to remove the co-signer, but the issuer will run a new credit check on you alone. If your credit score is strong enough, they will approve the removal. If not, the co-signer stays on the account.

An authorized user account stays active unless the primary cardholder removes you. Turning 18 does not trigger any automatic change. If you want your own card at that point, you would need to apply separately — the authorized user account does not convert to a card in your sole name.

Building credit responsibly as a minor

The goal of having a card at 17 is usually to start building credit before you need to borrow for college, a car, or an apartment. This works only if you use the card responsibly. Maxing out the card or missing payments will damage your credit for years.

If you are a co-signer, keep your spending low — under 30 percent of the credit limit is a common guideline. Pay the full balance every month if you can, or at least pay more than the minimum. Talk to your co-signer about the bill before you charge anything large.

If you are an authorized user, treat the card as if it were your own. Ask the primary cardholder how much you can spend before charging anything. Pay them back promptly if they ask you to. This builds trust and demonstrates that you can handle credit responsibly when you do get your own card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card at 17 without a co-signer?

No. Federal law requires you to be 18 to enter a binding contract, and a credit card agreement is a contract. No major issuer will issue a card in your sole name before you turn 18. A co-signer or authorized user status are your only options.

Does being an authorized user hurt my credit if the primary cardholder misses payments?

Yes. If the issuer reports the account to credit bureaus, missed payments on that account will appear on your credit report and lower your score, even though you did not make the charges. This is why the primary cardholder's payment habits matter — you inherit the consequences.

What if my co-signer wants to remove themselves from the account after I turn 18?

They can ask the issuer to remove themselves, but the issuer will check your credit score first. If your score is strong enough to support the card on your own, they will approve the removal. If not, your co-signer may have to stay on the account or you may need to close it and apply for a new card in your name alone.

Can I use a credit card at 17 to build credit for a car loan later?

Yes, but only if you use it responsibly. Lenders look at your payment history and credit score. A card you pay on time every month will help. A card with late payments or high balances will hurt your chances of getting approved for a car loan, even if you have a down payment saved.

Do all credit card issuers accept co-signers for minors?

No. Most major issuers (Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, Discover) do not offer co-signer accounts to anyone under 18. Some smaller banks and credit unions do. Call the issuer's customer service line to ask whether they accept co-signers before you apply.