You cannot get a credit card in your own name at 14
Credit card issuers require you to be at least 18 years old to hold an account. This is a federal rule set by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act). No major bank or card company will issue a card with your name as the primary account holder if you are under 18.
If you want to build credit history now, there are two real paths: becoming an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card, or opening a secured savings account that reports to credit bureaus. Both let you start building a credit record before you turn 18.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 to open a credit card account in your own name, regardless of income or credit history.
- You can become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's card at any age, and that account activity may appear on your credit report.
- Some banks offer secured savings accounts for minors that report to credit bureaus and help you build a credit score before 18.
- At 18, you will need proof of income or a co-signer to open your first card, so starting as an authorized user now gives you a head start.
Becoming an authorized user on a parent's card
This is the most straightforward way to start building credit at 14. Your parent or guardian can call their card issuer and add you as an authorized user. You will receive a card with your name on it, but the account belongs to them and they are responsible for all payments.
The key benefit: if the card issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), the account will show up on your credit report. This means on-time payments help your credit score grow. Not all issuers report authorized user accounts to all three bureaus, so ask your parent to confirm with their bank before adding you.
You do not need to use the card for it to help your credit. Some families add a teenager as an authorized user but keep the card locked away, letting the parent's payment history do the work. Others give the teen the card to use for small purchases, teaching spending habits in the process.
Opening a secured savings account that builds credit
Some banks and credit unions offer savings accounts designed for minors that report to credit bureaus. You deposit money (usually $300 to $1,000) into the account, and the bank reports your on-time deposits and account activity to the three credit bureaus. This creates a credit history without a credit card.
Examples include Greenlight (which also offers a debit card for teens) and some local credit unions. Ask your parent to call your bank and ask whether they offer a youth savings product that reports to credit bureaus. The account stays in your name, your parent may need to co-sign, and you build a credit file that will help you when you turn 18.
What happens when you turn 18
At 18, you can open a credit card account in your own name. Most issuers will ask for proof of income (a job, a scholarship, or financial support from a parent that you can document). If you have no income, you may need a co-signer — usually a parent — who promises to pay the bill if you do not.
If you have been an authorized user or have built credit through a secured account, you will have a credit history. This makes approval easier and may may have access to you for better terms. If you have no credit history at all, your first card will likely be a secured card (you deposit money, and that becomes your credit limit) or a student card with a low limit.
Why starting early matters
Credit scores are built on two main factors: payment history (35 percent) and length of credit history (15 percent). Starting at 14 gives you four years of on-time payments before you turn 18. That history makes a real difference when you explore for your first card, a car loan, or an apartment lease later.
If you wait until 18 to build credit, you start from zero. Lenders see no history at all, which is riskier to them than a four-year record of on-time payments. The cost of that delay shows up in higher interest rates and lower credit limits on the cards you can get.
Rules for authorized users you should know
As an authorized user, you can use the card, but the primary account holder (your parent) controls the account. They set the spending limit, make the payments, and can remove you at any time. If they miss a payment, it hurts your credit score too — you share the credit impact.
Some card issuers allow authorized users to have their own PIN or spending limit. Others treat the authorized user card exactly like a second card on the same account. Ask your parent to check with their issuer about what controls are available.
If your parent carries a balance or misses payments, being an authorized user can hurt your credit instead of help it. Make sure your parent is comfortable with the account before you are added, and understand that you are building credit based on their financial behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card if I have a job at 14?
No. Income does not change the age requirement. You must be 18 to open a credit card account in your own name, even if you work and earn money. However, having a job at 14 is excellent preparation — at 18, you can use that income history to open a card without a co-signer.
Will being an authorized user hurt my credit if my parent misses a payment?
Yes. The account appears on your credit report, so late payments lower your score just as they lower your parent's. Before becoming an authorized user, make sure your parent has a solid payment history and plans to keep making on-time payments.
Can I remove myself as an authorized user if I want to?
No, but your parent can remove you. If you are concerned about the account affecting your credit, talk to your parent about it. They can contact the issuer to remove you from the account at any time.
What is a secured credit card, and do I need one at 18?
A secured card requires you to deposit money upfront (usually $300 to $2,500), and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use it like a regular card, and on-time payments build your credit score. If you have no credit history at 18, a secured card is often the easiest first card to get.
Does being an authorized user count as having my own credit card?
No. The account belongs to your parent, and they are legally responsible for the debt. It helps you build credit history, but it is not your own account. At 18, you will open your own account where you are the primary holder and responsible for payments.