What an authorized user is and how it works on Chase cards
An authorized user is someone you give permission to use your Chase credit card account. When you add an authorized user, Chase issues them a card linked to your account. They can make purchases, but you remain responsible for the full balance — every charge they make shows up on your bill, and you pay it all.
The authorized user does not own the account. You do. You set the spending limits, you receive the statements, you make the payments, and your credit report shows the account history. The authorized user's credit report may also show the account, depending on how Chase reports it, which can help or hurt their credit score depending on how the account is managed.
Chase does not charge a fee to add an authorized user on most of their cards. The process takes a few minutes by phone or online, and the new cardholder usually receives their card within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- You remain the account owner and are responsible for all charges an authorized user makes, even if you did not approve each purchase.
- Chase typically does not charge a fee to add an authorized user, though some premium cards may have different rules.
- The authorized user's credit report may reflect the account history, which can improve their credit score if the account stays in good standing.
- You can set spending limits, remove the authorized user, or cancel their card at any time without closing your own account.
- Adding an authorized user is different from opening a joint account — you keep full control and the authorized user has no ownership rights.
How to add an authorized user to a Chase card
The fastest way is through your Chase online account. Log in, find the card you want to add the user to, look for "Manage Card" or "Card Services," and select the option to add an authorized user. You will need the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Chase will ask you to set a spending limit if you want one.
If you prefer to do it by phone, call the number on the back of your Chase card. A representative will walk you through the same information and can answer questions about spending limits or how the account will appear on the authorized user's credit report. The phone route takes about 10 minutes.
After you submit the request, Chase processes it within one to two business days. The new cardholder receives their physical card in the mail, usually within 7 to 10 business days. They can often start using the account number online or through the Chase mobile app before the physical card arrives.
When adding an authorized user helps their credit score
If your Chase account has a long history of on-time payments and a low balance relative to your credit limit, adding someone as an authorized user can boost their credit score. Credit bureaus see the account on their report and factor in your payment history and low utilization into their score calculation.
This works best if the authorized user is building credit from scratch or recovering from past damage. A few months of seeing a well-managed account on their credit report can raise their score by 10 to 100 points, depending on their starting point and what else is on their report.
However, if your account carries a high balance, has missed payments, or has other problems, adding the person as an authorized user can hurt their score instead. Before you add them, make sure your account is in the condition you want their credit report to reflect.
When adding an authorized user can backfire
If the authorized user overspends or you cannot pay the bill, both of your credit scores suffer. Late payments, high balances, and charge-offs all appear on both your report and theirs. You cannot blame them or dispute the damage — you are legally responsible for the debt.
Some lenders also view authorized user accounts differently when you later explore for a mortgage or other major loan. They may ask whether you were the primary cardholder or an authorized user, and some count authorized user accounts less favorably than accounts you opened yourself. This matters most if the authorized user is trying to build credit specifically to may have access to for a mortgage soon.
If the relationship ends badly — a divorce, a falling out with a family member, or a business dispute — removing the authorized user stops new charges when ready, but you remain liable for everything they charged before removal. There is no way to reverse past transactions or shift the debt to them.
Setting and changing spending limits
When you add an authorized user, you can set a daily or monthly spending limit. This is optional, but it is a practical way to control how much they can charge without your approval. For example, you might set a $500 monthly limit for a teenager or a $2,000 limit for a spouse who shares household expenses.
Chase enforces these limits at the point of sale — if the authorized user tries to charge more than the limit, the transaction declines. You can change the limit anytime through your online account or by calling the number on your card. You can also set the limit to zero, which effectively freezes the card without canceling it.
Keep in mind that spending limits are a control tool, not a safety net. If the authorized user reaches their limit and you raise it, you are responsible for the new charges just as you are for the old ones. The limit is there to help you manage the account, not to protect you from liability.
Removing an authorized user or canceling their card
You can remove an authorized user at any time through your Chase account online or by calling customer service. The removal is when ready — their card stops working right away. You do not need their permission or agreement to remove them.
Removing an authorized user does not close your account or affect your credit. However, it may affect theirs. If the account was helping their credit score, removing them means that positive history disappears from their report. If the account was hurting their score, removal helps them.
The authorized user can also request to be removed, though they typically have to contact Chase directly or ask you to do it. Once removed, they have no access to the account and no liability for future charges — but they remain liable for any charges they made while they were an authorized user.
Authorized user vs. joint account vs. adding a co-signer
These three options look similar but work very differently. An authorized user has no ownership and no liability — you control everything. A joint account means both people own the account equally, both are liable for the full balance, and both can make changes to the account. A co-signer is someone who signs a loan or credit process with you and is liable if you do not pay, but they do not receive a card or access to the account.
Chase credit cards do not offer true joint accounts. If you want two people to have equal ownership and control, you would need to open separate cards or use a different type of account. For most situations where one person wants to give another person spending power without giving up control, an authorized user is the right choice.
If someone is trying to build credit and you want to help, authorized user status is simpler and safer than a joint account. If you are explore for a loan together and need someone to may provide it, a co-signer is what lenders ask for — but that is a different product entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Adding an authorized user itself does not hurt your score. However, if they overspend and you cannot pay the bill, late payments and high balances will damage both your scores. The account itself is neutral — the damage comes from how it is managed.
Can an authorized user see my full account history and statements?
That depends on how Chase sets up their access. Typically, authorized users can see transactions they made and their current balance, but not your full account history or statements. You can contact Chase to ask what the authorized user can see on their end.
What happens to the authorized user account if I close my Chase card?
When you close the primary account, the authorized user's card stops working when ready. The account closes for both of you. If you want to keep the authorized user's card active, you would need to open a new account and add them to it.
Can I add an authorized user who does not have a Social Security number?
Chase requires a Social Security number or ITIN to add an authorized user. If the person does not have one, you cannot add them through the standard process. Contact Chase directly to ask about alternatives for non-citizens or people without a number on file.
If an authorized user makes a fraudulent charge, who is responsible?
You are responsible. As the account owner, you are liable for all charges on the card, whether they were made by you or an authorized user. If you believe a charge was truly fraudulent — made without the authorized user's knowledge or consent — you can dispute it with Chase, but the burden is on you to prove it.