What it means to be an authorized user
An authorized user is someone the cardholder adds to their credit card account. You can use the card to make purchases, but the primary cardholder remains responsible for paying the bill. The card issuer sends statements to the primary cardholder, and all charges — yours and theirs — go on one monthly bill.
Being added as an authorized user is different from being a joint account holder. You have no legal responsibility for the debt, and you cannot change the account terms, request a credit limit increase, or close the account. Only the primary cardholder can do those things.
Some card issuers report authorized user activity to the credit bureaus, which means your credit history may be affected by how the account is used. Others do not report it at all. This varies by card issuer and sometimes by the specific card product.
Key Takeaways
- The primary cardholder requests to add you, and the card issuer approves or denies the request — you do not initiate the process yourself.
- You can make purchases with a card issued in your name, but the primary cardholder pays the full bill and owns the account.
- Some issuers report authorized user accounts to credit bureaus and some do not, so the impact on your credit history depends on the card and issuer.
- You have no legal obligation to pay the debt, and you cannot change the account, request higher limits, or close it.
- The primary cardholder can remove you at any time without your consent.
How the primary cardholder adds you
The primary cardholder contacts their card issuer — usually by phone, online portal, or in person at a branch — and requests to add an authorized user. They will need to provide your full name, date of birth, and sometimes your Social Security number or address. The issuer may ask security questions to verify the cardholder's identity.
Most issuers approve or deny the request within minutes to a few business days. If approved, the issuer mails a card in your name to the address on file. You do not need to sign anything or take any action — the primary cardholder handles the entire process.
Some issuers charge a fee to add an authorized user; others do not. The primary cardholder should confirm the fee (if any) before requesting you be added. A few card products do not allow authorized users at all, so the issuer may deny the request based on the card type.
What you can and cannot do with the account
You can use the card to make purchases anywhere the card is accepted — in stores, online, or over the phone. You receive your own physical card or a digital card number. Any charges you make appear on the primary cardholder's statement and count toward their monthly bill.
You cannot request a credit limit increase, lower the interest rate, change the billing address, add or remove other authorized users, or close the account. You also cannot see the full account details or payment history — the issuer typically sends statements only to the primary cardholder. If you need account information, you must ask the primary cardholder directly.
If the account goes into default or the primary cardholder stops paying, the issuer will pursue the primary cardholder for the debt, not you. However, unpaid balances and late payments may still appear on your credit report if the issuer reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus.
How it affects your credit history
Whether an authorized user account shows up on your credit report depends entirely on the card issuer. Some major issuers — including American Express, Chase, and Discover — report authorized user accounts to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Others report to some bureaus but not all. A few do not report authorized user accounts at all.
If the issuer does report the account, the payment history, credit limit, and balance all appear on your credit report under your name. On-time payments help your credit score; late payments or high balances hurt it. You have no control over how the account is managed, so your credit depends on the primary cardholder's behavior.
Before you are added, ask the primary cardholder to contact the issuer and confirm whether authorized user activity is reported to credit bureaus. If it is, make sure the account is in good standing — no late payments and a low balance relative to the credit limit. If the account later falls behind, you can ask the primary cardholder to remove you, though they are not required to do so.
When the primary cardholder removes you
The primary cardholder can remove you from the account at any time by contacting the issuer. They do not need your permission or advance notice. Once removed, you can no longer use the card, and the issuer will typically deactivate your physical card within a few business days.
If the issuer reported the account to credit bureaus, removal does not erase the account history from your credit report. The account will continue to show on your report, but it will be marked as closed or inactive. The payment history remains part of your credit record.
If you want to be removed, you can ask the primary cardholder to contact the issuer on your behalf. However, they have no obligation to remove you. If the relationship ends or becomes difficult, you have limited recourse — you cannot force removal yourself.
Authorized user versus joint account holder
A joint account holder is a co-owner of the credit card account. Both people are equally responsible for paying the debt, and both can make changes to the account — request credit limit increases, change terms, or close the account. Both names appear on the account, and both are legally liable if the debt goes unpaid.
An authorized user has none of these responsibilities or powers. You use the card but do not own the account. The primary cardholder alone decides the credit limit, payment terms, and whether to keep the account open. If the account defaults, only the primary cardholder is pursued for payment.
Joint accounts are typically used between spouses or long-term partners who want equal control and shared responsibility. Authorized user accounts are used when one person (often a parent) wants to give another person (often a child or family member) the ability to spend without giving them control over the account.
Reasons to become an authorized user
Parents often add children as authorized users to teach them how to use credit responsibly. The child can make purchases and see how charges appear on a statement, but the parent remains in control and pays the bill. This is a common way to introduce credit before a young person opens their own account.
Some people are added to a spouse's or partner's account for convenience — to share expenses or make purchases on behalf of the household. The primary cardholder keeps control of the account and the bill.
If you have limited or no credit history, being added as an authorized user to an account with a long, positive payment history may help your credit score. The account history appears on your credit report, which can raise your score if the account is in good standing. However, this only works if the issuer reports authorized user accounts to credit bureaus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number to be added as an authorized user?
Most issuers require your Social Security number to add you to the account, though some may accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or other identifier. The primary cardholder should ask their issuer what information is needed before requesting you be added. If you do not have a Social Security number, the issuer may deny the request.
Can I use the card if I am under 18?
Yes, many issuers allow minors to be authorized users. The primary cardholder must be at least 18 and the account owner. Some issuers have a minimum age for authorized users (often 13 or 16), so the primary cardholder should confirm with their issuer before requesting you be added.
What happens to my credit if the primary cardholder misses a payment?
If the issuer reports the account to credit bureaus, late payments appear on your credit report and can lower your score. You are not legally responsible for paying, but the negative payment history still affects your credit. If this happens, ask the primary cardholder to bring the account current, or request to be removed from the account.
Can I see the account balance and payment history?
That depends on the issuer. Some issuers allow authorized users to view account details through their online portal or mobile app; others send statements only to the primary cardholder. Ask the primary cardholder or the issuer what information you can access.
What if I want to dispute a charge on the card?
Contact the primary cardholder first — they own the account and must initiate any dispute with the issuer. If you made the charge and it was unauthorized or incorrect, explain it to the primary cardholder and ask them to file a dispute. The issuer will work with the primary cardholder, not with you directly.