Joint credit cards

​​Primary cardholder

You’re the primary cardholder if you apply for a credit card and your name is on the agreement. You must be the legal age of majority in your province or territory to be a primary cardholder.

As a primary cardholder, you:

Any purchases made by an additional cardholder or authorized user will appear on your monthly statement. If you’re the primary cardholder, you’re responsible for paying for these purchases.

Additional cardholder and authorized user

You may be an additional cardholder or authorized user on a credit card. In that case, you get a credit card that links to the primary cardholder’s account. This card allows you to make purchases and use the account like the primary cardholder. Some credit card issuers will allow an authorized user to be under the age of majority. Contact them to see if they can add you as an additional cardholder or authorized user.

If you’re an additional cardholder, keep in mind:

Co-borrowers or co-applicants

Some credit card issuers will allow you and another person to apply for a credit card together. Co-applicants are co-borrowers in credit card agreements. Co-borrowers have access to the credit card account and are equally responsible for the balance.

You may be dealing with a federally regulated financial institution such as a bank. In that case, as a co-borrower you must receive certain disclosure information about the account.

Learn more about your rights as a joint borrower.

Guarantors

Someone who wouldn’t qualify for a credit card may be able to get one with a guarantor.

A guarantor doesn’t have access to the credit card account but is responsible for the balance.

Guarantors are often the parent or guardian of a minor.

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