What adding an authorized user means and how it works
Adding an authorized user means giving someone else permission to use your credit card account. That person gets their own card with their name on it, linked to your account. When they make purchases, the charges go on your bill — you remain responsible for paying the full balance. The authorized user does not own the account and cannot change the terms, close it, or access your statements without your permission.
The card issuer reports the account activity to the credit bureaus in both your name and the authorized user's name. This means the account appears on both credit reports. If the account has a good payment history and low balance, it can help the authorized user's credit score. If the account falls behind or carries high balances, it can hurt their score.
Key Takeaways
- You remain the account holder and are legally responsible for all charges, even those made by the authorized user.
- The authorized user's credit report will show the account's payment history and balance, which can raise or lower their credit score.
- You can remove an authorized user at any time by calling your card issuer or logging into your online account.
- Adding an authorized user takes 5 to 10 minutes and requires only the person's name, date of birth, and address.
- The new card typically arrives in 7 to 14 business days, though some issuers offer when ready digital cards.
The step-by-step process to add an authorized user
Start by contacting your card issuer. You can do this by phone, through their website, or in a branch if it is a bank-issued card. Have your account number and the authorized user's information ready: their full name, date of birth, and home address. Some issuers ask for a Social Security number, though not all require it.
Tell the issuer you want to add an authorized user and provide the information. They will confirm the person's identity and add them to your account. You can usually choose whether to set a spending limit for the authorized user — some issuers allow this, others do not. Ask whether your issuer offers this option if you want to control how much the person can spend.
The new card will be mailed to the address you provide, usually arriving within 7 to 14 business days. Some issuers, including American Express and certain bank cards, offer when ready digital card numbers that can be used when ready for online purchases while the physical card is in the mail. Check your issuer's website or call to see if this is available.
When the authorized user's credit report is updated
The account typically appears on the authorized user's credit report within 30 to 45 days of being added. This delay happens because credit card issuers report to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — on a monthly cycle, and the bureaus take time to process the new information.
Once the account shows up, the authorized user's credit score may change when ready. If your account has a long history of on-time payments and a low balance relative to the credit limit, the authorized user's score often rises. If your account has missed payments or a high balance, their score may drop. The impact depends on their existing credit history — someone with no credit history may see a larger change than someone with an established credit file.
Removing an authorized user if circumstances change
You can remove an authorized user at any time, with no notice required. Call your card issuer, go to your online account, or visit a branch. Tell them you want to remove the person and provide their name or the card number. The removal is usually when ready, though it may take one or two billing cycles for the account to disappear from their credit report.
Once removed, the authorized user's card stops working. The account will no longer appear on their credit report after the next monthly reporting cycle. If you are removing someone because of a dispute or concern, consider canceling the card they have and ordering a replacement card for yourself to prevent unauthorized use.
Reasons people add authorized users and the risks involved
Parents often add teenagers to build their credit history before they take out their own loans. Spouses add each other to simplify household finances. Some people add a trusted family member to manage bills if they become ill or unable to handle finances themselves. In each case, the account holder is betting that the authorized user will respect the arrangement and not overspend.
The main risk is that you are fully liable for charges the authorized user makes, even if you did not authorize a specific purchase. If the authorized user runs up a large balance or stops paying, the debt is yours. If they dispute a charge, you have to resolve it with the issuer. If they commit fraud using the card, you are responsible for reporting it and dealing with the fallout. Choose authorized users carefully and only add people you trust completely.
How authorized users differ from joint account holders
An authorized user has permission to use the card but does not own the account. A joint account holder is a co-owner — both people have equal legal rights to the account, can make changes to it, and are equally responsible for the debt. If you add someone as a joint account holder instead of an authorized user, they can close the account, change the address, or remove you without your permission.
Most card issuers do not offer joint accounts anymore. If you want to give someone full access to manage an account, you would typically need to open a new account in both names, which is different from adding an authorized user to an existing account. If you are unsure whether your issuer offers joint accounts, ask when you call to add an authorized user.
What happens if an authorized user has their own debt problems
Adding an authorized user does not affect their existing debts or obligations. If they owe money to other creditors, those debts remain theirs alone. However, if they file for bankruptcy, the authorized user account may be included in their bankruptcy filing, which could affect your account. This is rare but possible, so it is worth asking your issuer what happens in this scenario before adding someone.
If the authorized user is sued by a creditor or has a judgment against them, that judgment does not automatically attach to your credit card account. However, if they are in serious financial trouble, they may be tempted to overspend on the card you have given them, which would become your problem. This is another reason to set a spending limit if your issuer allows it, or to monitor the account regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Not directly. The account is already on your credit report, so adding an authorized user does not create a new hard inquiry or new account. However, if the authorized user spends heavily and raises your account balance, that can hurt your score because it increases your credit utilization ratio. Monitor the balance and ask the authorized user to keep spending reasonable.
Can an authorized user see my full account details and statements?
That depends on the issuer. Some issuers give authorized users access to statements and account details; others do not. Call your card issuer and ask what information the authorized user can see. If you want to keep your full financial picture private, you may need to request that the issuer limit what they can view.
What if the authorized user makes a purchase I did not know about?
You are responsible for paying it. The card issuer will not remove the charge just because you did not authorize it personally — you authorized the person to use the card. If you believe the authorized user committed fraud or violated your agreement, you can remove them and address the dispute separately, but the charge itself remains your responsibility.
Can I add an authorized user if I am behind on payments?
Most issuers will let you add an authorized user even if your account is behind, though some may decline if the account is severely delinquent. Call your issuer and ask. Adding an authorized user does not change your payment obligations or the status of your account.
How old does someone need to be to be an authorized user?
Most issuers require authorized users to be at least 13 years old, though some require 15 or 16. A few issuers have no age minimum. Check your card issuer's rules before adding a young person. The age requirement does not affect whether the account appears on their credit report once they are added.