Adding a minor as an authorized user can help build the minor's credit. In some cases, card issuers report to the credit bureaus the payment histories of every individual who has a card in their name — cardmembers and authorized users alike.
You can begin building your child's credit whenever you want to by making him or her an authorized user on your credit card. Usually, you have to be at least 18 and have an income to take on a credit card or loan, which are the conventional ways that people start building credit.
Yes, adding children as authorized users can help their credit scores. It's up to the primary cardholder to maintain a healthy credit score so the authorized users can reap the benefits.
Kids can't open their own credit card account until they turn 18, and will need to prove independent income until they're 21. But even before then, minors can benefit from becoming authorized users on a family member's credit account.
The most common way for a child to have a credit report is for the parent to list the child as an authorized user on one of their credit card accounts. While not all lenders report authorized user accounts to the credit reporting companies, many do.
As a 16-year-old, one of your best ways to build credit is becoming an authorized user on the card of a trusted adult. Until you turn 18, in fact, it's your only real option for obtaining or using credit.
Age requirements for authorized users
There is no overarching legal age requirement for adding someone as an authorized user. But card issuers do have different rules, policies and processes for adding minors to card accounts.
No, a 12 year old cannot have a credit card of their own. Legally, you have to be at least 18 years old to be able to get a credit card. There is, however, the option to become an authorized user on someone else's account.
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.
Adding a minor as an authorized user can help build the minor's credit. In some cases, card issuers report to the credit bureaus the payment histories of every individual who has a card in their name — cardmembers and authorized users alike.
Note, however, that kids cannot open their own credit card account. Anyone under the age of 18 can only be added as an authorized user on an adult's credit card account, which doesn't come with the exact same privileges — or the liability.
According to credit bureau Experian, a good credit score is 700 or above.
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. When you're ready for this step, you'll need to be prepared to show some documentation.
Easier. Yes, it is illegal for you to use your children's social security number to get a loan.
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.
Now a child's number can more easily be used to establish a credit history. Minors are especially vulnerable because they are likely to have an unblemished credit history. Some thieves have even been able to make made-up, random numbers work.
This score isn't perfect, but it places you in the exceptional credit score range. That's the highest tier of FICO® Scores☉ , which are used by 90% of top lenders. Having an 800 credit score or better is fairly uncommon: Only 23% of all consumers have FICO® Scores of 800 or higher.
An 800-plus credit score shows lenders you are an exceptional borrower. You may qualify for better mortgage and auto loan terms with a high credit score. You may also qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks, such as access to airport lounges and free hotel breakfasts.
Depending on where you're starting from, It can take several years or more to build an 800 credit score. You need to have a few years of only positive payment history and a good mix of credit accounts showing you have experience managing different types of credit cards and loans.
There are two main ways in which a parent can max out credit cards in their child's name. In the first version, the parent uses their son's or daughter's Social Security Number to open up a bunch of accounts (not necessarily limited to credit cards) without consent and/or their child even knowing about it.
Credit scores using the FICO® scoring model typically have a range of 300 to 850. For students—or anyone—a score of 700 or above is generally considered a good score. Your credit scores will depend on your credit history and how you've managed past debt.