You can add an authorized user to your Chase card by calling Chase, using the Chase mobile app, or logging into your online account
An authorized user is someone you permit to use your credit card account. They receive their own card linked to your account, but you remain responsible for all charges. Chase lets you add authorized users through three channels: a phone call to the number on the back of your card, the Chase mobile app, or your Chase online account portal. The process takes minutes, and the new card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
You do not need the authorized user present to add them. You only need their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Chase will not run a credit check on the authorized user, and adding them does not affect their credit score — though their charges will appear on your billing statement and may affect your credit utilization.
Key Takeaways
- You can add an authorized user by phone, through the Chase app, or online at chase.com without the person being present.
- Chase requires the authorized user's name, date of birth, and last four digits of their Social Security number.
- The new cardholder receives their own physical card in 7 to 10 business days and can use it when ready after set up.
- You remain fully liable for all charges made by the authorized user, and their spending counts toward your credit limit and utilization ratio.
- You can remove an authorized user at any time through the same channels you used to add them.
Adding an authorized user by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card. Have your account number and the authorized user's information ready: full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user.
The representative will confirm the information, ask whether you want the card mailed to your address or the authorized user's address, and process the request. They will give you a confirmation number. The new card will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, the authorized user can set up it by calling the number on the back or using the Chase app.
Adding an authorized user through the Chase app
Open the Chase mobile app and sign in to your account. Tap the card you want to add an authorized user to, then look for a menu option labeled "Manage card" or "Card settings." Select "Add authorized user."
Enter the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and last four digits of their Social Security number. Choose whether the card should be mailed to your address or theirs. Review the information and confirm. You will receive a confirmation number in the app. The card will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
Adding an authorized user online at chase.com
Log in to your Chase account at chase.com. Click on the credit card account you want to modify. Look for a section labeled "Account services," "Manage your account," or "Card settings."
Select "Add authorized user" or a similar option. Enter the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and last four digits of their Social Security number. Choose the mailing address for the new card and confirm. You will see a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this for your records. The card will arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens after you add an authorized user
The authorized user can begin making purchases as soon as the card arrives and is activated. They do not need to wait for you to set up it — they can call the number on the back of the card or use the Chase app to set up it themselves.
All charges made by the authorized user appear on your billing statement under your name. The charges count toward your credit limit, so if the authorized user spends $2,000 and your limit is $10,000, you have $8,000 remaining. Their spending also affects your credit utilization ratio, which is part of your credit score calculation. You receive one combined bill for all charges, and you are responsible for paying the full amount, regardless of who made the charges.
Removing an authorized user
You can remove an authorized user at any time using the same methods you used to add them. By phone, call the number on the back of your card and ask to remove an authorized user by name. Online, log into your account, find the authorized user in your card settings, and select "Remove." In the app, navigate to the card, find the authorized user in the settings, and choose the remove option.
Once removed, the authorized user's card stops working when ready, though they may still have the physical card in their possession. Removing an authorized user does not erase their past charges from your account — those remain on your billing history.
Things to know before adding an authorized user
Chase does not limit how many authorized users you can add to a single card, but adding multiple users increases the risk that charges will exceed your credit limit. Each authorized user has full access to your credit line, and you cannot set spending limits or restrict which merchants they can use.
If you want to monitor spending, you can set up account alerts in the Chase app to notify you of large purchases. You can also check your account online or in the app at any time to see recent transactions. If you are concerned about fraud or unauthorized charges, you can dispute them with Chase, but you remain liable for charges made by someone you authorized, even if you later regret adding them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Adding an authorized user does not hurt your credit score. Chase does not run a credit check on the authorized user, and the action itself does not appear on their credit report. However, if the authorized user makes large purchases, their spending increases your credit utilization ratio, which can lower your score slightly.
Can I add a family member who does not have a Social Security number?
Chase requires the last four digits of a Social Security number to add an authorized user. If the person does not have a Social Security number, you cannot add them through the standard process. Contact Chase directly to ask whether alternative identification is accepted.
What if the authorized user makes charges I did not approve?
You remain responsible for all charges made by an authorized user you added, even if you did not approve each purchase. If you believe charges are fraudulent or unauthorized, you can dispute them with Chase, but the burden is on you to prove the charges were not made by the authorized user. Remove the user when ready if you no longer trust them with access to your account.
Can I set a spending limit for an authorized user?
Chase does not allow you to set individual spending limits for authorized users. Each authorized user has access to your full credit line. If you want to control spending, you can remove the card and add a new authorized user with a lower limit by requesting a separate card with a reduced credit line, though this requires contacting Chase directly.
How long does it take for the authorized user's card to arrive?
Chase typically delivers a new authorized user card within 7 to 10 business days. If you need the card faster, contact Chase to ask about expedited shipping options, which may be available for an additional fee.