{"id":360061,"date":"2021-10-06T15:37:21","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T21:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/?p=360061"},"modified":"2022-04-18T13:33:38","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18T19:33:38","slug":"card-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/credit-101\/card-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Credit card requirements: what you need before you apply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Disclosure regarding our editorial content standards<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying for a credit card can be an exciting event, but making sure you meet the requirements to get approved can make the process a bit more overwhelming. Fortunately, applying for a credit card is usually a quick process\u2014especially in the age of the internet, when you can apply for a card from your couch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most requirements, like providing a Social Security number, are consistent across all cards. On the other hand, some cards may require a specific credit score or income threshold to be considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the basics of credit card approval requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Credit card application requirements<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n
Age<\/td>\n 18 with a cosigner or 21 without a cosigner<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n
Income<\/td>\n Verifiable income, either from a job or another source<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Residency<\/td>\n Either a Social Security number (SSN) for citizens or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for legal residents<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Contact information<\/td>\n A physical address (usually no P.O. boxes), a phone number and an email address<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Credit score<\/td>\n Technically no minimum, but scores lower than 600 could lead to rejections or higher interest rates<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Other financial information<\/td>\n Employment status, monthly housing costs and bank account information<\/td>\n <\/tr><\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n\n\n

Certain card issuers may have additional requirements, and you may be asked to show proof for some areas of your application\u2014like a pay stub to prove your income<\/a>, for instance. If you\u2019re approved for a credit card, you\u2019ll receive it shortly in the mail. On the other hand, if your application is rejected, you can call the issuer\u2019s reconsideration line to appeal, explain your situation and make a case for approval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn more about how to successfully apply for a credit card and start building a strong credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basics of credit card approval requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Almost every credit card application will require several basic pieces of information, so being prepared with this information could make the process smoother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to provide basic contact information, information about your finances and proof of residency and income to apply for a card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are more specifics about what you\u2019ll typically need to include on your application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Full name<\/li>
  • Birth date<\/li>
  • Current citizenship<\/li>
  • Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number<\/li>
  • Mailing address<\/li>
  • Email address<\/li>
  • Phone number<\/li>
  • Annual income (from any source, including nontaxable income)<\/li>
  • Employment status<\/li>
  • Monthly rent or mortgage costs<\/li>
  • Checking account information<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re looking to add an authorized user<\/a>\u2014someone who will also have access to the card\u2014you\u2019ll need to provide details about them as well. Finally, if you\u2019re applying for a balance transfer card, which can help lower interest on credit card debt, you could be asked questions about the debt you want to transfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once you\u2019ve got all of your information together, you\u2019re ready to apply for a credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n