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The Daily Insight Hub

How can I build my credit at 16?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on January 29, 2026

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.

What card can you get at 16?

You can’t get a credit card at 16, at least not your own account. The law prohibits issuers from offering credit cards to anyone under 18. And even then, you’ll need your own income to qualify.

Can I check my credit score at 16?

Children 13 and older can check their credit the same way adults do. By visiting AnnualCreditReport.com – the only website federally authorized to provide credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion for free – your child can enter his or her personal information to receive a copy of each report.

Can my 15 year old get a credit card?

No, you cannot get a credit card at 15. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering into a legally binding contract such as a credit card agreement. But there are some credit cards that permit minors to become authorized users on a parent or other adult’s credit card account.

Can a 16 year old get an apple card?

See if you’re eligible. To be eligible to apply for Apple Card, you must be 18 years old or older, depending on where you live. You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident with a valid, physical U.S. address that’s not a P.O. Box. You can also use a military address.

What is the best way for a teenager to build credit?

Help Your Teenager Build a Good Credit Score

  1. Before Your Child Gets a Credit Card.
  2. Open a Savings or Checking Account.
  3. Make Sure Your Child Is Ready.
  4. Teach How Credit Cards and Credit Works.
  5. Credit Cards Available for Your Child.
  6. Using a Joint Credit Card.
  7. Credit Reporting on Joint Cards.

Can a 15 year old build credit?

Adding your child as an authorized user is a great way to help them build credit, and in some cases your child only needs to be 13 to 15 years old to qualify (read about the minimum ages for each card issuer).

Can a 18 year old use a credit card?

Here are some credit card options that allow teens under 18 as authorized users, along with a few tips for teaching them financial habits. This age range is a good time to introduce your tween to a debit or prepaid card designed for kids. These cards are a relatively safe way to teach your child how to spend responsibly.

How can I get a credit card for my teen?

There are three main ways a teen can get a credit card, and they’re all fairly straightforward: Add your teen as an authorized user on one of your current accounts. Open a separate low-limit credit card for your teen (to use as an authorized user) if you’d rather not have her on an account you use regularly.

Can a teen use a credit card as an authorized user?

You can add your son or daughter as an authorized user to one of your accounts. Authorized user status means your teen can make purchases with the card, and the account activity will be reflected on his or her credit report. But the primary cardholder alone remains financially and legally responsible for the balance.

How old do you have to be to open a credit card?

Legally, no one can open a credit card unless they’re at least 18 years old. In the past, it was possible to add an under-18 as an additional cardholder in certain cases, but it seems that’s no longer an option.