A man looks at the information on the front of his credit card.

How to Get Credit Cards After Bankruptcy

5 min read

Published January 10, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

You may be able to get a credit card after bankruptcy once the courts discharge your debts.
Getting a secured card or becoming an authorized user may be possible after a bankruptcy filing.
It may take time to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, but practicing responsible credit habits may help.

Bankruptcy is a legal process that can help you get out of debt. Bankruptcy can be a difficult decision to make, but it can also be a fresh start. If you've filed for bankruptcy, you may be wondering if or when you'll be able to get a credit card. Here are a few things you need to know about getting a credit card after filing bankruptcy.

Wait until the courts discharge your debt

First, you'll need to wait until your bankruptcy is discharged. When the court grants you a bankruptcy discharge, you're no longer legally required to repay those discharged debts.

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, discharge happens after you complete the bankruptcy process. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, discharge happens after you've made all the payments required by the court. It's important to note that not all types of debt can be discharged. Once a bankruptcy court discharges your debts, you can start to build credit again.

Take steps to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy

Get a secured card

There are a few different ways to rebuild your credit. One way is to get a secured credit card. Many credit card issuers offer this type of card.

A secured credit card requires you to put down a security deposit as collateral. This deposit establishes your credit limit. With the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.¹

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card helps you rebuild your credit history with responsible use.²

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Once you have a secured credit card, use it responsibly and make timely payments to your credit card company. Responsible credit habits may help you improve your credit score. With a Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, you can get your deposit back after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.³

Become an authorized user

Another way to rebuild credit after a personal bankruptcy is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card. As an authorized user, the primary cardholder adds you to their credit card. The authorized user doesn’t usually have to go through a credit check. The primary cardholder is then responsible for all charges made on the account (including those made by the authorized user). When you add a friend or family member as an Authorized User to your Discover^® Card, you help them build a credit history, with responsible use.⁴

Did you know?

If you can find someone who is willing to add you to their credit card account as an authorized user, this can be a great way to get access to a credit card until you can qualify for your own.

Practice responsible credit habits

It's important to remember that rebuilding your credit takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't get approved for an unsecured credit card right away. Just keep using your secured credit card or authorized user credit card responsibly and making your payments on time. That shows credit card issuers that you’re a reliable card user.

Here are some additional tips for getting credit cards after bankruptcy:

Be patient. Rebuilding credit after bankruptcy takes time. Don't expect to see results overnight. Just keep using your credit card wisely and making your payments on time, and your credit score will eventually improve.
Pay off your other debts. Not all debts can be discharged in bankruptcy. If you have other debts, such as student loans or medical bills, focus on paying them off as quickly as possible.
Keep your credit utilization low. Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of debt you have compared to your available credit. Your credit utilization ratio makes up a significant portion of your credit score. It's best practice to keep your credit utilization at a minimum by paying your credit card balance in full every month.
Don't apply for too much credit. Every time you apply for a new credit card, the lender will check your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry, and it can impact your credit score. If you're trying to rebuild your credit, it's best to avoid applying for too many new credit cards unless you absolutely need them.
Check your credit report regularly. According to Consumer.gov, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year. Review your report carefully and dispute any errors with the credit bureau.

The bottom line

Getting credit cards after bankruptcy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. Secured cards are good options for people who have been told they have “bad” credit and can help rebuild credit over time. You may also be able to upgrade to a regular credit card if you show your card issuer that you can make on-time payments and keep your account in good standing.

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