How Old Do I Have to Be to Get a Credit Card? Your Complete Eligibility Guide

Starting a credit card journey requires meeting specific age requirements, but the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The age requirement for getting a credit card depends on whether you’re opening your own account or joining an existing one as an additional cardholder.

Two Pathways: Being an Authorized User vs. Your Own Account

The quickest way to access a credit card at a young age is becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account. This option allows you to start learning about credit management without the legal requirements of an independent account holder.

Getting Added as an Authorized User: The Flexible Route

Most major credit card issuers permit authorized users at various ages, though some impose minimum thresholds:

• American Express: 13 years old
• Discover: 15 years old
• U.S. Bank: 16 years old
• Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo: No age restriction

When you’re added as an authorized user, you receive your own card with your name, but the account remains under the primary cardholder’s responsibility. This means the account holder manages all payment obligations and bears full financial responsibility for charges you make.

For young learners, this arrangement works best with parental supervision. Consider keeping the physical card between educational sessions to maintain control. The advantage? Even if you don’t actively use the card, being added as an authorized user to a well-maintained account helps you build your own credit history starting immediately.

Opening Your Own Credit Card Account at Age 18

Legally, how old do I have to be to get a credit card in my name? The answer is 18 years old. However, there’s a catch related to income verification.

All credit card applicants must demonstrate sufficient income to repay balances. For applicants between 18 and 21, eligible income is strictly limited to earnings from employment or scholarships and grants. Parental gifts, allowances, or other third-party funds don’t count toward this requirement.

This restriction stems from the CARD Act of 2009, designed to prevent young adults from accessing credit they couldn’t realistically repay. If you lack qualifying income, a cosigner with established credit might help, though few major card issuers accept this arrangement. Credit unions often provide more flexibility with cosigned applications.

Age 21: When Restrictions Disappear

Everything changes at age 21. The income requirements expand dramatically—you can now include gifts, allowances, government benefits, and retirement income on your application. This expanded definition significantly increases your ability to qualify for credit cards once you reach this milestone.

Even at 21, however, building a credit history from scratch requires starting with beginner-friendly credit card products designed for first-time cardholders with limited or no credit history.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

Before deciding which path fits your needs, understand credit card fundamentals. Whether becoming an authorized user or applying independently, financial literacy matters more than your exact age. A solid foundation in credit management early on pays dividends throughout your financial life.

Starting young—whether at 13 as an authorized user or at 18 with your own account—gives you years to build strong credit habits and establish a positive credit history.