What adding an authorized user means and how it works
Adding an authorized user to your credit card means giving another person permission to use your card and make charges against your account. The authorized user receives their own card with their name on it, but the bill comes to you — you remain responsible for all charges, whether you made them or the authorized user did.
When you add an authorized user, the credit card company typically reports the account activity to the credit bureaus under both your name and theirs. This means the authorized user's credit report will show the account history, which can help build their credit if the account stays in good standing. However, missed payments or high balances will also appear on their credit report.
The process itself is straightforward: you contact your card issuer, provide the authorized user's name and date of birth, and the issuer mails a card to the address on file. Most issuers complete this within one to two weeks. You can remove an authorized user at any time by calling the card company.
Key Takeaways
- You remain the primary cardholder and are responsible for all charges made by the authorized user, even if you did not approve them.
- The authorized user's credit report will reflect the account history, which can help or hurt their credit score depending on how the account is managed.
- Most card issuers add an authorized user over the phone or through their online portal within one to two weeks.
- You can set spending limits on some cards, but not all issuers offer this feature — check with your bank before assuming you can control what the authorized user spends.
- Removing an authorized user does not close the account or affect your credit, but the account will still appear on their credit report for up to seven years.
How to add an authorized user by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Have your account number and the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. The representative will ask why you want to add an authorized user — common reasons are a spouse, adult child, or family member who needs access to the account.
The representative will confirm the mailing address where the new card should be sent. By default, this is usually the address on your account, but you can request a different address if needed. They will also ask whether you want to set a spending limit on the authorized user's card, if your issuer offers that feature.
Once you confirm the details, the card company will issue a new card and mail it to the address you provided. You will receive a confirmation in the mail as well. The authorized user can typically begin using the card as soon as it arrives, though some issuers allow when ready use through a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay while the physical card is in transit.
Adding an authorized user through your online account
Log into your credit card issuer's website or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Manage Account," "Account Settings," or "Authorized Users." The exact name varies by bank. Click on the option to add an authorized user.
Enter the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Some issuers ask for a relationship to you (spouse, child, employee, other) but do not require it. Confirm the mailing address for the new card and review any spending limits you want to set.
Submit the request. Most issuers will send you an email confirmation and begin processing the card when ready. You can usually track the card's arrival status in your account within a few days, just as you would for a replacement card you ordered for yourself.
What information you need before you start
Gather the authorized user's full legal name as it appears on their government-issued ID. This must match exactly — if their name is "Robert" but they go by "Bob," use "Robert." You will also need their date of birth in the format your issuer requests, usually MM/DD/YYYY.
Have their Social Security number ready. All major credit card issuers require this to add an authorized user, because they report the account to the credit bureaus under that number. If the person does not have a Social Security number, most issuers will not add them as an authorized user.
Know the mailing address where you want the card sent. This does not have to be your address — you can send it to the authorized user's home, your workplace, or any other address. The card will arrive in a plain envelope with no indication of the card issuer's name on the outside.
Spending limits and how they work
Not all credit card issuers offer spending limits for authorized users. Call your issuer or check your online account to see whether this feature is available on your card. If it is, you can usually set a daily limit, monthly limit, or both.
A daily limit might be $500, meaning the authorized user cannot charge more than $500 in a single day. A monthly limit might be $2,000, meaning they cannot charge more than $2,000 in a calendar month. Once the limit is reached, the card will be declined until the period resets or you raise the limit.
Keep in mind that spending limits do not reduce your responsibility for the charges. If the authorized user exceeds the limit and you raise it to let them continue spending, you are still liable for the full amount. Spending limits are a tool for managing behavior, not for protecting you financially.
How authorized user accounts appear on credit reports
When you add an authorized user, the credit card account will appear on their credit report within one to two billing cycles. The account will show the credit limit, current balance, payment history, and account opening date. All of this information factors into their credit score.
If you pay on time every month and keep the balance low, the authorized user's credit score will benefit from the positive payment history and low utilization ratio. If you miss payments or carry a high balance, their credit score will be hurt just as much as yours.
The authorized user's credit report will continue to show this account for up to seven years after you remove them as an authorized user. The account itself will remain on your credit report as long as you hold the card. This is why removing an authorized user does not erase the account from their credit history — it only stops new activity from being reported.
Removing an authorized user
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card and ask to remove an authorized user. Have your account number and the authorized user's name ready. The representative will confirm the removal and may ask why you are removing them, but you do not have to provide a reason.
The removal is when ready on the phone. The authorized user's card will stop working within hours, though the exact timing depends on the issuer's systems. You do not need to return the physical card — it will straightforward become inactive. If you want to be certain it is not used, you can ask the authorized user to destroy it.
Removing an authorized user does not close your account, lower your credit limit, or change your credit score. The account will remain on your credit report as usual. The authorized user's credit report will stop showing new activity, but the account history will remain visible for up to seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an authorized user make charges without my permission?
Yes. Once someone is an authorized user, they have full access to the card and can charge anything up to the credit limit. You are responsible for all charges they make. If you are concerned about unauthorized spending, set a spending limit before giving them the card, or add them only if you trust them completely.
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Adding an authorized user does not hurt your credit score. The account already exists and is already on your credit report. A hard inquiry is not performed, and no new account is opened. However, if the authorized user makes large charges, the account balance will increase and your credit utilization ratio will rise, which can lower your score.
Can I add an authorized user who is under 18?
Most credit card issuers require authorized users to be at least 18 years old. Some allow younger users if a parent or guardian is the primary cardholder, but this varies by bank. Call your issuer to ask about their specific policy for minors.
What happens if an authorized user runs up debt and then I remove them?
You remain responsible for all charges made while they were an authorized user, even after you remove them. Removing an authorized user does not erase the debt or change who owes it. If you want to dispute specific charges, you can contact your issuer, but you cannot straightforward refuse to pay because the authorized user made the charges.
Can I add an authorized user to a secured credit card?
Yes, most issuers allow authorized users on secured cards. The process is the same as for a regular card. The authorized user will have access to the full credit limit, and the account will appear on their credit report just as it would on a regular card.