how old do you have to be to have a phone
Report Abuse. That is not true. If you want to get a phone in your name, they require that you (the contract signer) be 18 years or older. Plus, you mst have a good credit report or they will require a $400 deposit on sign-up BUT they will give you the $400 BACK after a year or so. Source(s): I've talked to Verizon Wireless about this before.