You can get a credit card at 17, but only with a co-signer or through a secured card
Most credit card companies require you to be 18 to open an account on your own. If you are 17, you have two real paths: get a parent or guardian to co-sign with you on a standard card, or open a secured credit card in your name alone. A co-signer is legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay. A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit — usually $200 to $2,500 — that becomes your credit limit. Both build your credit history, but they work differently and carry different risks.
The reason most companies have an 18-year-old rule is legal: at 17, you cannot sign a binding contract in most states without a parent or guardian's signature. A co-signer provides that signature and takes on the legal obligation. A secured card avoids this problem because the deposit protects the company if you do not pay.
Key Takeaways
- You can open a credit card at 17 only with a parent or guardian as a co-signer, or by opening a secured card that requires a cash deposit.
- A co-signer is legally responsible for any balance you do not pay, so the adult taking this role needs to understand the risk.
- Secured cards let you build credit without a co-signer, but your deposit becomes your spending limit and you pay an annual fee.
- Either path reports to the three credit bureaus and helps you build a credit history before you turn 18.
- The main reason to get a card at 17 is to start building credit early — not to borrow money you cannot pay back.
How a co-signed card works
When you explore for a credit card with a co-signer, the card company runs a credit check on both of you. Your parent or guardian's credit history and income matter more than yours, because they are the one the company will pursue if the bill goes unpaid. You both sign the agreement, and both names usually appear on the account.
The card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — under both your name and your co-signer's name. This means every payment you make (or miss) affects both credit scores. If you pay on time every month, you both build positive history. If you miss a payment, both of you take the hit. This is why a parent considering co-signing needs to think carefully: they are not just helping you, they are putting their own credit at risk.
Most major card companies — Chase, Capital One, American Express, Discover — allow co-signers, but the rules vary. Some require the co-signer to be a parent or legal guardian. Others allow any adult. Call the company directly to ask whether they accept co-signers for your age, because the policy is not always clear on their website.
What a secured card requires
A secured credit card is designed for people building credit from scratch. You open the account in your name alone — no co-signer needed — but you deposit cash with the card company first. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You then use the card like any other card, paying a monthly bill.
The deposit sits in a savings account at the card company and earns little to no interest. It is not a fee — it is your money — but you cannot touch it while the card is open. Most secured cards also charge an annual fee, usually $25 to $95, which comes out of your deposit or your monthly bill. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your account to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit.
Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and U.S. Bank Secured Visa are common options for people under 18. Each has different annual fees and deposit minimums, so compare before you choose. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so it builds your credit history just as a regular card does.
Why building credit at 17 matters
Your credit history is a record of how reliably you have borrowed and repaid money. It starts at zero when you are born. The longer your history and the more on-time payments you have, the higher your credit score climbs. By the time you are 21 or 22 and want to rent an apartment, buy a car, or take out a student loan, lenders will look at this history to decide whether to lend to you and at what interest rate.
Starting at 17 gives you a four- or five-year head start. Even small, on-time payments build momentum. A single credit card used responsibly — keeping the balance low, paying the full bill each month — can raise your score significantly over time. Someone who waits until 18 or 19 to open their first account starts from behind.
The risks of getting a card too early
A credit card is a loan. Every dollar you charge is money you have to pay back, plus interest if you carry a balance. At 17, you may not have steady income, and unexpected expenses can pile up fast. If you charge $1,000 and can only pay $100 a month, the remaining $900 will accrue interest — usually 18% to 25% annually on a first card. That $900 becomes $950 within a month, then $1,000, and you fall further behind.
If you have a co-signer and you miss payments, you damage both your credit and theirs. If you have a secured card and you miss payments, the card company may close your account and keep your deposit. Either way, a missed payment stays on your credit report for seven years. The goal at 17 is to build credit, not to borrow money you cannot afford to repay.
How to choose between a co-signed card and a secured card
Choose a co-signed card if you have a parent or guardian willing to take the risk and you are confident you will pay on time. The advantage is that you avoid the deposit and annual fee. The disadvantage is that the adult is legally liable if you do not pay.
Choose a secured card if you want to build credit without putting someone else at risk, or if no one is willing to co-sign. You will pay a deposit and an annual fee, but the card is yours alone. You control the outcome, and you do not owe anyone else money if you miss a payment. A secured card also works well if you want to prove to yourself that you can handle credit responsibly before asking a parent to co-sign.
Either way, use the card for small, regular purchases — groceries, gas, a subscription you already pay for — and pay the full balance every month. This builds credit without creating debt. Avoid the temptation to charge things you cannot afford just because the limit is there.
What happens when you turn 18
Once you turn 18, you can open a credit card in your name alone without a co-signer. If you have been using a co-signed card responsibly, your credit score will reflect that, and you may may have access to for better cards with lower interest rates and better rewards. If you have a secured card, you can explore to convert it to an unsecured card, or you can open a new unsecured card and close the secured one.
The credit history you built at 17 stays on your report and continues to help your score. This is why starting early, even with limited options, is worth the effort. You will also have real experience managing a card, which makes the transition to independence smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card at 17 without a co-signer?
Yes, with a secured card. You deposit cash upfront, and that becomes your credit limit. You do not need anyone else's permission or credit history. The card company will still run a background check, but they are checking for fraud, not your credit score.
Will my co-signer's credit score go down if I open a card with them?
Possibly. Opening a new account causes a small, temporary dip in credit score for both of you. If you then miss payments, the damage is much larger and lasts longer. If you pay on time every month, both scores will improve over time.
What if I cannot pay my credit card bill?
Contact the card company when ready. Many offer hardship programs or the ability to pause payments temporarily. Missing a payment is worse than calling ahead. If you have a co-signer, tell them right away — they need to know the account is at risk.
Can I use a secured card to build credit if I am 17?
Yes. Secured cards report to the credit bureaus just like regular cards. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, most issuers will convert your account to a regular card and return your deposit, and you will have built real credit history.
Is it better to get a card at 17 or wait until 18?
Getting a card at 17 gives you a head start on credit history, which matters when you explore for loans or rent later. But only if you use it responsibly. If you are not ready to pay bills on time every month, waiting until 18 is better than damaging your credit early.