An authorized user is someone you give permission to use your credit card account, but who is not legally responsible for paying the bill
When you add an authorized user to your credit card, that person receives their own card linked to your account and can make purchases with it. You remain the primary cardholder and the only one obligated to pay the balance. The authorized user can spend up to your credit limit, but the bill comes to you.
This is different from being a joint account holder. A joint cardholder is legally responsible for the debt and has equal control over the account. An authorized user has no legal obligation to repay what they charge, and they cannot close the account, change the terms, or access your statements without your permission.
Key Takeaways
- You choose the spending limit for an authorized user, and you can lower it or remove them at any time without their consent.
- The authorized user's activity appears on your credit report and can affect your credit score, both positively and negatively.
- Most card issuers report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus, which means responsible use can help build credit history for someone with little or no credit.
- You are responsible for all charges an authorized user makes, even if they exceed a limit you set or use the card without permission.
- Removing an authorized user does not erase their past activity from your credit report, though it stops future charges from affecting your score.
How adding an authorized user affects your credit
When you add an authorized user, most card issuers report the account to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means the account's payment history, credit limit, and balance all show up on both your credit report and the authorized user's credit report.
If you pay on time every month, this helps both of you. The authorized user builds a positive credit history without having applied for credit themselves. If you miss a payment or carry a high balance, both credit scores take a hit. The authorized user's score can drop even though they did not make the charges.
Not all card issuers report authorized users to the bureaus. Before adding someone, call your card company and ask whether they report authorized user accounts. If they do not, the account will not help or hurt the authorized user's credit.
Why people add authorized users
Parents often add teenagers or young adults to build their credit history before they take out their own loans. A young person with no credit history can benefit from years of on-time payments on a parent's account, which makes it easier to get approved for their own card or loan later.
Spouses or partners may add each other for convenience — to share expenses or give one person access to the account while keeping the other as the primary account holder. Some people add authorized users temporarily to help a family member or friend make a specific purchase.
Businesses sometimes add employees as authorized users on corporate cards so they can make work-related purchases without needing a separate account.
What an authorized user can and cannot do
An authorized user can make purchases anywhere the card is accepted, online or in person. They can use the card as many times as they want, up to your credit limit. You can set a lower spending limit if your card issuer offers that feature, though not all do.
An authorized user cannot change the account's interest rate, request a credit limit increase, add or remove other authorized users, close the account, or change the mailing address. They typically cannot see your full statements or account details online — access depends on what your card issuer allows.
You can remove an authorized user at any time by calling your card issuer. The card becomes invalid when ready, and no future charges will post to your account. However, the account history remains on both credit reports.
The risks of adding an authorized user
You are legally responsible for every charge an authorized user makes, even if they exceed a limit you set or use the card without your knowledge. If an authorized user runs up a large balance and you cannot pay it, the debt is yours to settle. Your credit score suffers if they miss payments or max out the card.
If an authorized user's card is lost or stolen, you must report it to your card issuer when ready. Until you do, you may be liable for fraudulent charges. Even after you remove someone as an authorized user, they may still have the physical card in their possession unless you ask them to return it or destroy it.
Adding an authorized user also increases your account's visibility. If the authorized user has poor financial habits or faces legal issues, creditors or debt collectors may contact you about their activity on your account.
How to add an authorized user to your card
Contact your card issuer by phone, online, or through their mobile app. You will need the authorized user's full name and date of birth. Some issuers ask for their Social Security number; others do not.
The card issuer will confirm the spending limit and tell you when the new card will arrive. In most cases, a physical card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer when ready digital card numbers that can be used when ready for online purchases.
Ask your card issuer whether they report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus before you add someone. If building credit is the goal, you want to confirm the account will show up on their credit report.
Removing an authorized user
Call your card issuer or log into your online account to remove an authorized user. The process takes minutes. The card becomes invalid when ready, and the authorized user can no longer make charges.
The account history does not disappear from either credit report. The account will continue to show on both reports, but it will be marked as closed or inactive. This can actually help credit scores over time, because a longer history of on-time payments remains visible.
If you are concerned the authorized user still has the physical card, ask them to destroy it or return it to you. You can also request that your card issuer cancel the specific card number and issue you a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an authorized user see my credit card statements?
It depends on your card issuer. Some allow authorized users to view statements online or by mail; others restrict access to the primary cardholder only. Call your issuer to ask what information authorized users can see on your account.
Does removing an authorized user hurt their credit score?
Removing an authorized user does not when ready damage their credit, but it stops the positive impact of on-time payments going forward. The account history remains on their credit report, so the years of payment history you built together stay visible.
What happens if an authorized user doesn't pay their share?
You are responsible for the full balance, regardless of who made the charges. If you and an authorized user have an agreement that they will reimburse you, that is a personal arrangement between you — the card issuer only looks to you for payment.
Can I set a spending limit for an authorized user?
Many card issuers allow you to set a lower limit for authorized users, but not all. Call your issuer to ask if this feature is available on your card. Even if you set a limit, you remain liable for any charges that exceed it.
Will adding my child as an authorized user hurt my credit?
No. Adding an authorized user does not lower your credit score. If you pay on time and keep your balance low, the account helps both your score and theirs. If you miss payments or carry a high balance, both scores are affected.