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How to Get Credit Cards After Bankruptcy

Published January 10, 2025
5 min read
Getting a credit card

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Key points about: get a credit card after bankruptcy

  1. You may be able to get a credit card after bankruptcy once the courts discharge your debts.

  2. Getting a secured card or becoming an authorized user may be great choices for people coming out of bankruptcy.

  3. It may take time to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, but practicing responsible credit habits may help.

According to the California Courts website, 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 bankruptcy.

Wait until the courts discharge your debt

First, you'll need to wait until your bankruptcy is discharged. According to the United States Bankruptcy Court (District of Oregon), when the court grants you a 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 (based on information from Congressional Research Service). It's important to note that not all types of debt can be discharged. Once 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. A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires you to put down a security deposit as collateral. This deposit is required to establish your credit limit. For Discover®, your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.1

Learn how the Discover it® Secured credit card can work for you.

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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 six consecutive months of on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.2

Become an authorized user

Another way to rebuild credit 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 without you having to go through a credit check. The primary cardholder is then responsible for all charges made on the account (including those made by you). When you add an authorized user to a Discover card account, the authorized user can build a credit history, with responsible use.3

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If you can find someone who is willing to add you on their card 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. Over time, you'll be able to build credit with responsible use.4

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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 30% of your credit score. It's best practice to keep your credit utilization at a minimum.
  • 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 according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). 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 at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review your report carefully and dispute any errors with the credit bureau.

Getting credit cards after bankruptcy can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. By following the tips above, you can improve your credit score and help you get back on your feet financially.

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  1. Secured Card Deposit Range: You must make a minimum security deposit of $200 (or more, in increments of $100 up to $2,500), which will equal your requested credit limit. Discover will determine your maximum credit limit by your income and ability to pay.

  2. Secured Card: Graduation Transparency: Monthly reviews start your seventh month as a customer. We will refund your security deposit if you have made all payments on time for the last six consecutive billing cycles on all your Discover accounts including any loans, and you've remained in “good status” on all credit accounts you are responsible for whether they are Discover accounts or not. “Good status” means: (1) your credit report shows no delinquencies, charge-offs, repossessions, or bankruptcies for the six months prior to our review; and (2) your Discover Secured Card is not in a prohibited status at the time of our review, including, but not limited to: closed, revoked, suspended, subject to tax levy, garnishment, deceased, lost/stolen, or fraud. Monthly reviews may be delayed if you change your payment due date. We typically process your refund in 2-3 business days based on your delivery preference. If you close your account and pay in full, we’ll return your deposit within two billing cycles plus ten days.

  3. Authorized User: Primary account holder is responsible for all charges made by the Authorized User(s).

    Discover reports the account credit history to the three major credit bureaus as to you and the Authorized User. This can help build the Authorized User’s credit history over time if used responsibly. Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact yours and the Authorized User’s ability to build credit.

  4. Build credit with responsible use(Secured): Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build/rebuild your credit if used responsibly. Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact your ability to build/rebuild credit.

  5. There is no hard inquiry to your credit report to check if you’re pre-approved. If you’re pre-approved, and you move forward with submitting an application for the credit card, it will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit score. Receiving a pre-approval offer does not guarantee approval. Applicants applying without a social security number are not eligible to receive pre-approval offers. Card applicants cannot be pre-approved for the NHL Discover Card.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.