What adding an authorized user means and how it works
When you add an authorized user to your credit card, you give another person permission to use your card to make purchases. That person receives their own card with their name on it, linked to your account. The authorized user is not responsible for paying the bill — you are. All charges they make appear on your statement, and you pay them.
The authorized user does not need to go through a credit check or approval process. Your card issuer straightforward adds them to your existing account. They can start using the card as soon as it arrives, usually within 5 to 10 business days.
Most card issuers let you set spending limits for each authorized user, and some allow you to turn the card on or off through your online account. You can remove an authorized user at any time by calling your card issuer or logging into your account.
Key Takeaways
- You remain fully responsible for all charges made by an authorized user, including late fees and interest.
- Adding an authorized user takes a phone call or a few clicks in your online account and does not require the other person to be present.
- The authorized user's activity appears on your credit report and can affect your credit score, both positively and negatively.
- You can set spending limits and remove an authorized user at any time without penalty.
- Some card issuers charge a fee to add an authorized user, though many do not — check your card's terms first.
How to add an authorized user through your card issuer's website or app
Most card issuers let you add an authorized user online without making a phone call. Log into your account on your card issuer's website or mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Manage Account," "Account Settings," "Authorized Users," or "Card Management."
Click the option to add an authorized user. You will be asked for the person's full name, date of birth, and relationship to you (spouse, child, family member, friend, etc.). Some issuers also ask for a Social Security number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, though not all do. Enter the information and confirm.
You may be asked to set a spending limit for this user. This is optional — you can leave it blank to allow unlimited spending, or enter a daily or monthly cap. After you submit, the card issuer will mail a physical card to the address on file. The authorized user can usually start making purchases online or over the phone before the physical card arrives, depending on your issuer's policy.
Adding an authorized user by phone
If you prefer to add an authorized user over the phone, call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user and have the person's full name, date of birth, and relationship to you ready.
The representative will confirm your identity by asking security questions or verifying information on file. They will then add the authorized user to your account and may offer to set a spending limit. Ask when the card will arrive and whether the authorized user can make purchases before receiving the physical card.
Some card issuers can issue a temporary card number when ready over the phone, which the authorized user can use right away for online or phone purchases. This is faster than waiting for the physical card to arrive.
What information you need before you start
Have the following details ready before you contact your card issuer or log into your account:
- The authorized user's full legal name (first, middle, and last)
- Their date of birth
- Your relationship to them (spouse, child, parent, friend, etc.)
- The last four digits of their Social Security number, if your issuer requires it
- The mailing address where their card should be sent (usually your address, but you can specify a different one)
You do not need the authorized user to be present or to sign anything. The process is entirely between you and your card issuer. However, it is a good idea to tell the person you are adding them before you do so, especially if they are a family member or close friend.
How an authorized user affects your credit score
Adding an authorized user can help or hurt your credit score, depending on how they use the card. If the authorized user makes small purchases and you pay the bill on time, the positive payment history and low credit utilization may boost your score over time.
If the authorized user runs up a large balance or misses payments, your credit score will drop. Since you are responsible for the bill, late payments and high balances are reported on your credit report under your name. The authorized user's own credit report is not affected by the card activity — only yours is.
Some people add a family member as an authorized user specifically to help build that person's credit history, but this only works if the card issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Not all issuers do. Before adding someone for this reason, call your card issuer and ask whether authorized user activity appears on the primary cardholder's credit report and whether it affects the authorized user's credit in any way.
Setting spending limits and managing the authorized user's activity
When you add an authorized user, you can usually set a daily spending limit, a monthly spending limit, or both. For example, you might allow a child to spend up to $50 per day or $200 per month. These limits are optional — if you do not set one, the authorized user can spend up to your card's credit limit.
Log into your account online or call customer service to change or remove a spending limit at any time. Some card issuers also let you temporarily freeze an authorized user's card through the app if you suspect fraud or want to pause their access without removing them entirely.
You can see all charges made by each authorized user on your monthly statement. If you notice unauthorized or suspicious charges, contact your card issuer right away. You are responsible for reporting fraud, just as you would be for charges made by you.
Removing an authorized user
You can remove an authorized user at any time, with no penalty or fee. Log into your account online, find the authorized user in your account settings, and click "Remove" or "Delete." Alternatively, call customer service and ask them to remove the authorized user by name.
Once removed, the authorized user can no longer make new charges on the card. However, any charges they made before removal remain on your account and your responsibility to pay. The card issuer may deactivate the physical card when ready, or it may take a few business days for the change to take effect.
If the authorized user still has the physical card after removal, they should destroy it or return it to you. If they attempt to use it after removal, the transaction will be declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the authorized user need to have good credit to be added?
No. Your card issuer does not run a credit check on an authorized user. They only verify the person's identity and basic information. An authorized user can have poor credit, no credit history, or be too young to have a credit report.
Can an authorized user see my full account balance and payment history?
This depends on your card issuer. Some issuers give authorized users access to the full account online, while others restrict them to seeing only their own charges. Call your card issuer to ask what information authorized users can see, or check your account settings online.
What happens if an authorized user makes a purchase and I do not pay the bill?
You are responsible for the full balance, including charges made by authorized users. If you do not pay, the debt goes to collections, late fees and interest accrue, and the delinquency appears on your credit report. The authorized user has no legal obligation to repay.
Can I add someone who does not live at my address?
Yes. You can have the card mailed to a different address than the one on your account. Provide the authorized user's mailing address when you add them, and the card will be sent there instead.
Is there a limit to how many authorized users I can add?
Most card issuers allow you to add multiple authorized users to one account, but the limit varies. Some allow 5, others allow 10 or more. Call your card issuer to ask what the maximum number is for your card.