How old must you be to have a credit card in your name without showing proof of independent income or having a co-signer?

To have a credit card in your name without requiring proof of independent income or a co-signer, the legal age is 21 years old. This regulation was established by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009. The act aims to protect young consumers from accumulating excessive debt due to easy access to credit, given that individuals below this age may lack the financial stability and experience to manage credit responsibly.

At 21, individuals are more likely to have developed a better understanding of financial obligations and a capacity to repay borrowed funds, which helps mitigate the risks associated with granting credit to younger applicants. Therefore, obtaining a credit card independently without proof of income before reaching this age is not typically allowed in the United States.