Is it possible to add a child to a UK credit card?

Question

Many parties suggest that parents should add their baby child to their credit card so that the child can build a credit score as soon as possible. Unfortunately, these all seem to be USA sources, and I cannot find any in Britain.

Is it possible to add a child to a credit card in England?

• If so, which one?
• If not, how can one build a credit score for a British child before they turn 18?

Answer 1

No. The minimum age at which a person can have a credit card in the UK is 18.

Any attempt to search for the minimum age for credit cards in the UK confirms this (e.g. Money Supermarket). However, finding the legislation which backs this up is less clear cut. I believe the most likely candidate is the Minors’ Contracts Act 1987, with the definition of "minor" being 18 across the UK, but defined in three different Acts.

Accordingly, you can't build a credit history before you're 18.