Age Requirements for Getting a Credit Card: What You Need to Know

Building financial knowledge early is a smart move, and understanding credit cards is a key part of that journey. But getting started with credit means navigating age requirements—and the good news is you have options depending on how old you are. The pathway to credit card access depends on whether you want to share an existing account or establish your own line of credit.

Starting Young: Authorized Users Can Be Nearly Any Age

If you’re not yet 18, becoming an authorized user is your way in. This approach lets parents or guardians help younger family members learn about credit in a hands-on way. Here’s the flexibility: most major credit card issuers allow authorized users at various ages, though a few set minimum thresholds:

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

Being an authorized user means you get your own credit card with your name on it, but the account is linked to the account holder’s credit line. The account holder remains responsible for all charges, including those made by the authorized user. This setup can help younger users build credit history while staying under supervision—at least initially. The physical card can be kept secure by the account holder until the authorized user is ready for more independence. It’s important to note that if charges go unpaid, it’s the account holder’s credit score that takes the hit, so active management is essential.

Going Solo: Getting Your Own Card at 18

Once you turn 18, you legally can apply for your own credit card account and establish your own credit line. However, there’s an important requirement: you’ll need to prove an income level that demonstrates you can handle the balance. Here’s where age matters again. Between 18 and 21, your eligible income is restricted to specific sources:

• Wages from employment
• Scholarships and grants

This limitation excludes other income types like parental gifts, allowances, or support from family members. This rule exists because of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, which was designed to protect young adults from being given credit they couldn’t actually repay.

If you lack qualifying income, a cosigner—someone with established credit who agrees to take responsibility for your debt—may help. However, few major issuers accept cosigners for credit cards, so local credit unions might be your best option. First-time cardholders without credit history typically need to apply for cards specifically designed for beginners to build their credit profile.

Fewer Limits After 21: Income Restrictions Ease

When you reach 21, the income restrictions relax significantly. At this point, you can include virtually any income source you reasonably have access to, including:

• Gifts and allowances
• Government benefits
• Retirement income
• Other income streams

This expansion opens up more credit card options and makes approval easier. While the income hurdle disappears, new cardholders still need to build credit history, so starter cards remain a practical choice even at this age.

Learning the fundamentals about how credit cards work—interest rates, fees, and responsible spending habits—before you apply is essential. Early education about credit can save you from significant debt problems down the road.