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The Daily Insight Hub

Can 17 year olds build credit?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on January 21, 2026

To start building credit at 17, you would need to be listed on a credit-related account like a credit card or loan. The other option would be to help the teen open their own credit card or loan, which may be very challenging, or cosign with them on a personal loan, student loan, or another type of loan if they qualify.

How can I get credit at 17?

Here are a five ways high school students can start building good credit (plus some tips on how to maintain it).

  1. Get a Job.
  2. Get Added as an Authorized User.
  3. Get a Secured Credit Card.
  4. Get a Student Credit Card.
  5. Use Good Credit Card Habits.

Can a 17 year old sign up for credit karma?

You can sign up for Credit Karma if you’re 18 or older. If you’re new to credit, you may want to read up on how to build credit from scratch. If you’re under 18 or a parent looking to protect your child’s identity, you can read more about reducing your child’s risk of identity theft.

Can a 17 year old get a credit card in Canada?

Under law, no one can get a credit card on their own in Canada until they are 18 years old or the age of majority in their province or territory. After you reach 18, you might want to consider a secured or student credit card.

At what age can you build credit?

Typically, only people over the age of 18 have a credit score — but it is possible for minors to have a credit report. A person under 18 can have a credit report if : Their identity was stolen and used to open one or more credit accounts. A credit agency erroneously created a credit profile in the minor’s name.

How can a minor build credit?

8 tips for parents to help their children build good credit early

  1. Start early.
  2. Teach the difference between a debit card and a credit card.
  3. Incentivize saving.
  4. Help them save early for a secured credit card.
  5. Co-sign a loan or a lease.
  6. Have them report all possible forms of credit.
  7. Add your child as an authorized user.

Can you have a debit card at 17?

You need to open a checking or savings account in order to obtain a debit card. There’s one caveat – the law requires that customers under 18 need a parent to co-sign to set up a checking or savings account.

What is the fastest way to get your credit score up?

4 tips to boost your credit score fast

  1. Pay down your revolving credit balances. If you have the funds to pay more than your minimum payment each month, you should do so.
  2. Increase your credit limit.
  3. Check your credit report for errors.
  4. Ask to have negative entries that are paid off removed from your credit report.

Can a 18 year old apply for a credit card?

Before that age, you may have a tougher time getting approved. If you’re under 18, you can’t apply for a credit card. And if you’re between 18 and 21, card providers will be sticklers about checking your income. Still, it’s possible to get a credit card as long as you know what you’re doing.

How old do you have to be to get child tax credit?

Topics: To be eligible for the Child Tax Credit the child must be under the age of 17 on the last day of the year. Although not eligible for the CTC you can still claim the child as a dependent under the Qualifying Child rules if they meet all the requirements.

How to start building credit at age 17?

How to start building credit at 17 To start building credit at 17, you would need to be listed on a credit-related account like a credit card or loan. Contrary to popular misconceptions, you can’t build credit with a regular bank account like a checking account, savings account, debit card, or just getting a job. It takes credit to build credit.

Can a 17 year old get a line of credit?

If a 17-year-old walked into one of these businesses and requested a line of credit, as a general rule, the business would possibly deny the 17-year-old minor. The business is aware that generally speaking, minors lack the legal capacity to sign a contract, and that the minor could get out of the contract if he wanted to do so.