How Do You Fill Out a Credit Card Application?

Here are some tips to help you fill out your next credit card application:

Credit card application steps

While different credit card issuers may ask for different types of information when you apply for a credit card, there are some steps that are common to most credit card applications.

Provide your personal information

A credit card application will ask for personal information such as your name, home address, email address, date of birth and Social Security number. Your application must include this information, because among other reasons, federal law requires credit card issuers to verify your identity before opening an account.

Provide financial information

Employment:
The application may ask you to select your employment status, such as full-time, part-time, self-employed, unemployed, retired, or student. You don’t necessarily need to have a full-time job in order for your credit card application to be approved, so long as you can show your ability to repay the loan through other income that is available to you to repay your debts.

Income:
On your credit card application, issuers will ask for your total gross income, which helps them decide if you qualify for an account, and if so, the line of credit. If you are 21 or older, you may include another person’s income that is available to you. If you are under 21, you may consider the amount of another person’s income that is regularly deposited into your account, or the income of a spouse or domestic partner if you live in a Community Property state.

Housing costs:
The credit card issuer will consider your mortgage or rent payments when you apply for a credit card, in order to help determine whether you qualify for an account.

How do I check my credit card application status?

Different card issuers will have different ways to check your credit card application status, either by calling customer service or checking a page on the issuer’s website. If you’ve applied for a Discover card, you can easily check the status of your application online.

Do I have to apply for a credit card online?

Most credit card issuers have options for you to apply by mail or phone if you don’t want to submit your application online, but applying for your credit card online may be the most convenient way to submit an application. Note that if you are under 21, you cannot apply for a credit card account on the phone.

How long does a credit card application take?

Credit card applications can be decisioned immediately or could take longer depending on the issuer and whether the applicant has to provide additional information once the application is submitted.

How to apply for a credit card: The bottom line

By taking some time to understand how to apply for a credit card, you can take some stress out of the process. Once you understand the finer details of the credit card application process, you’ll find yourself taking on these steps with added ease.