Can a 9 year old have a credit score?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 20, 2026
Does your child have a credit score? 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.
What is the youngest age to get a credit card?
18
How old do you have to be to get a credit card? You can be an authorized user as young as 13, but you have to be 18 to sign up for your first credit card on your own.
Is it illegal for a 10 year old to have a credit card?
Unfortunately, a ten year old is not able to get their own shiny credit card. At 10, you’re not of legal age to sign paperwork for the credit. Unfortunately, kids cannot open their own credit card accounts. The reason is because credit cards don’t operate on your money; they operate with borrowed money.
Can I put my kid on my credit card?
Your ability to add your child as an authorized user on your credit card depends on their age and your bank’s rules. Children who are 18 and older can be added as an authorized user without issue. But some banks may not allow children under a certain age to be added as an authorized user.
Can I open a bank account for my 10 year old?
Minor children by law can’t open a savings account. They need a parent or guardian to set up a custodial or joint account. A custodial account is the property of the child, but managed by the parent until the child turns 18. And just as with your money, make sure your child’s account is FDIC-protected.
How old do you have to be to open a credit card?
I opened a card at Christmastime to gain a discount on a high-dollar item. The impact to my age of credit history dropped from 5.51 years to 5.21 years. My oldest account is more than 10 years old and this is my newest account at 7 months. My credit age is now back up to 5.6.
Can a 18 year old apply for a credit card?
You can still apply for a credit card at 18, but your parents will need to cosign for you. This can be tricky because the responsibility becomes much heavier when someone else’s credit is at stake.
How old is your oldest credit card account?
The impact to my age of credit history dropped from 5.51 years to 5.21 years. My oldest account is more than 10 years old and this is my newest account at 7 months.
Do you have to pay your credit card if you are under 21?
Federal lawmakers didn’t want young consumers to accumulate mountains of debt, so they passed the CARD Act of 2009. The CARD Act also stipulates that if you’re under 21, you must prove your ability to pay your card bill. You can report income that you earn on your own,…