At what age can you get a credit card?

In the U.S., you must be at least 18 to open your own credit card account. But federal law places additional requirements on applicants under the age of 21. 

What you’ll learn:

• You have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account.

• The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009 puts additional requirements in place for applicants who are younger than 21.

• Student credit cards and secured credit cards may be good options for young people trying to establish and build credit. 

• Becoming an authorized user on a trusted friend’s or family member’s account could be another way to access credit.

You typically need to be at least 18 to open a credit card in your name. That’s because credit card applications are legally binding contracts, and 18 is the earliest a person can enter into one on their own. But for applicants who are under 21, the CARD Act established additional conditions to qualify for a credit card. 

• Have a co-signer: A co-signer guarantees that if the cardholder can’t make payments, the co-signer will. Co-signers have to be at least 21 and show they can make payments on the account. Keep in mind that many major issuers don’t allow co-signers.

• Prove your income: Without a co-signer, people under 21 have to prove they have enough income to make minimum credit card payments. Income might include full-time, part-time or seasonal job income and self-employment income. It might also include interest, dividends, public assistance or even shared income that somebody else regularly deposits into your account or a joint account.

The right time to get a credit card is different for everyone. Here are a few key questions you can ask yourself to help decide whether you’re ready.

• How will I use the card? You may plan to use your credit card to cover a large purchase. Or you might use it as a budgeting tool to cover everyday expenses. Thinking through how you intend to use your credit card may help you avoid overspending. 

• Can I afford the monthly payments? According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), you should pay your entire credit card balance whenever you can. If you can’t, the agency recommends that you pay as much of it as you can to avoid “spending more on the things you buy because you’re also paying interest.”

• Do I know how to use credit responsibly? To build good credit and improve your credit scores, you need to use credit responsibly over time. This includes always paying your monthly statements on time and staying below your credit limit.

If you’re old enough and prepared to use credit responsibly, there are a variety of credit cards to consider. Many are designed for people who want to build credit.

Student credit cards are generally geared toward college students looking for their first credit card. They typically offer benefits designed for college students and may be more accessible to those with little or no credit history. And some student cards, like the Savor Student Rewards Card, even offer rewards.

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit to open the account. Some, such as Quicksilver Secured from Capital One, let you earn cash back rewards.

No, you typically can’t apply for a credit card if you’re under 18. But if you’re a parent, there may be another way to teach your child about credit and help them build credit before they turn 18.

If you add your child as an authorized user, they could get their own card. As the primary cardholder, you’re still ultimately responsible for all the charges made on the account.  If your authorized user and you both use the card responsibly, it could help each person’s credit scores. This means doing things like keeping balances low. But the opposite is also true. Irresponsible card use by either could negatively impact both people’s credit.

Here are a couple of things to consider before you apply.

Credit scores reflect your creditworthiness and are used to predict how likely you are to pay your debts on time. They’re based, in part, on information found in credit reports. 

You can get free copies of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. And with CreditWise from Capital One, you can access your credit report and credit score without hurting your scores. CreditWise is free for everyone. You don’t even have to be a Capital One customer to use it.

Checking to see if you’re pre-approved for a credit card can be a great way to compare your options and find the right fit. It can also help you avoid unnecessary hard inquiries, which can cause your credit scores to drop temporarily. 

You can check whether you’re pre-approved for some Capital One credit cards before you apply. It’s quick and only requires some basic info. And it won’t affect your credit scores, because it only requires a soft inquiry.

If you can prove your income, you might be able to open a credit card on your own at age 18. Starting with a student credit card or a secured credit card may be a good option. If it’s too soon for a credit card, becoming an authorized user on a trusted friend’s or family member’s account could be an option. 

To find the best fit for your needs, you can compare Capital One credit cards by credit requirements, rewards and more.