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Adding your kids as an authorized user to your credit cards can help them jumpstart their credit. It’s also a great way to start teaching your kids about finances.
Each bank has its own policy regarding at what age you can add your kid as an authorized user.
At what age can I add my child as an authorized user?
The minimum age needed to be added as an authorized user to your accounts depends on the rules set by each credit card issuer.
Here is a list.
| Minimum Age | |
| Amex | 13 years old |
| Barclay | 13 years old |
| Bank of America | No minimum age |
| Chase | No minimum age |
| Citi | No minimum age |
| Capital One | No minimum age (but you cant add ssn under 18 years old) |
| Discover | 15 years old |
| US Bank | 16 years old |
| Wells Fargo | No minimum age |
What's the best card to add my kid to as an authorized user?
It’s best to choose a bank that will report your card’s credit history on your child’s credit report.
Here is the list of banks that report payment history to the credit bureaus.
| Reports to the credit bureaus | Backdates the history | Notes | |
| Amex | Yes | No | Make sure to add your social security number (can be done online as well) |
| Barclays | Yes | Yes | Do it by phone and request to also add the social security number |
| Bank Of America | Yes | Yes | Do it by phone and request to also add the social security number |
| Chase | Sometimes | Yes | Chase will only report the authorized user if they can match up a relationship between the primary and the AU in their own system |
| Citi | Yes | Yes | Do it by phone and request to also add the social security number |
| Capital One | Yes | Yes | Make sure to add your social security number (can be done online as well) |
| Discover | Yes | Yes | Make sure to add your social security number (can be done online as well) |
| HSBC | No | No | |
| US Bank | Yes | Yes |
Choose a card with good payment history
In order to boost your child’s credit score make sure to add your child to a card that has the following requirements:
- The card does not have any late payments
- The card does not have high balances
- The card was used recently
- Add your child using their social security number (with some banks you will need to add them as an authorized user by phone in order to be able to add the social security number)
Don't let your child rely only on your credit
It’s important to note that you should not let your child rely on your credit. Once they turn 18, have them build their own credit following the steps we outline here.
Congratulations! You turned 18 and you decided you’re gonna do this. You’re going to start building credit like a boss! One teeny problem- you know you’re...
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