An authorized user is someone you add to your credit card account who can use the card to make purchases, but you remain responsible for all charges and payments.
When you add an authorized user, the card issuer issues them a physical card (or sometimes a digital card) linked to your account. They can swipe, tap, or use that card number online just as you do. The bill comes to you. The debt is yours. You set the spending limit, and you decide whether to remove them later.
This is different from a joint account holder, who shares legal responsibility for the debt. An authorized user has no obligation to pay and no legal claim to the account. It is purely a convenience arrangement—and a way to build someone else's credit history if the issuer reports the account to the credit bureaus.
Key Takeaways
- You remain the sole account holder and are responsible for all charges an authorized user makes, regardless of what you told them they could spend.
- The authorized user's credit score may improve if the card issuer reports the account to the credit bureaus, but this is not may provide and depends on the issuer.
- You can set a spending limit through your card issuer's app or website, and you can remove an authorized user at any time without their permission.
- Adding an authorized user does not change your credit score directly, but late payments or high balances on the account will hurt both of your scores if the issuer reports it.
How to Add an Authorized User
Log into your credit card account online or through the issuer's mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Manage Account," "Account Settings," or "Authorized Users"—the exact name varies by issuer. You will need the person's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID.
Some issuers ask for their address as well. Once you submit the information, the issuer will verify it and mail a card to the address on file for your account (or theirs, depending on the issuer). The card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. The authorized user does not need to sign anything or take any action—you do all the work.
A few issuers allow you to add an authorized user through a phone call to customer service instead. This can be faster if you do not want to use the online portal, though the timeline for card arrival is the same.
What Happens to Credit Reports and Scores
If your card issuer reports authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), the account will appear on the authorized user's credit report. This means their credit score may go up or down based on how you use the account—the payment history, the credit utilization (how much of the limit you use), and the age of the account all factor in.
Not all issuers report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus. Before you add someone, call the issuer or check their website to confirm whether they do. Some report to all three bureaus, some to only one or two, and some do not report at all. This matters if your goal is to help someone build credit.
Your own credit score is not affected by adding an authorized user. However, if the authorized user runs up charges and you do not pay them on time, your score will drop—because it is your account and your payment history.
Setting Spending Limits and Monitoring Charges
Most card issuers let you set a daily or monthly spending limit for each authorized user through your online account. This is not a hard block—some issuers will decline the card if the limit is exceeded, others will approve the charge and alert you. Check your issuer's specific rules.
You can also monitor charges in real time through your account dashboard or by setting up transaction alerts. Many issuers send you a notification every time the authorized user swipes the card, or you can ask for a daily or weekly summary. Use these tools to catch unauthorized or unexpected charges quickly.
Keep in mind that you are legally responsible for all charges, even if the authorized user spent more than you agreed to. The card issuer will not reverse charges just because you told the authorized user they could only spend $500 a month. If disputes arise, that is between you and the authorized user—the issuer will look to you for payment.
Removing an Authorized User
You can remove an authorized user at any time by logging into your account online or calling customer service. The process takes minutes. The issuer will deactivate their card when ready, though it can take a few days for the change to show up in their credit report if the issuer reports the account.
The authorized user does not have to agree to be removed, and they do not need to return the physical card—though you should ask them to destroy it or return it to you. Once the card is deactivated, it will not work, even if they still have it in their wallet.
If the authorized user had a positive payment history on the account, removing them will not erase that history from their credit report. The account will remain on their report as a closed account, which can actually help their credit score because it shows a history of on-time payments. However, if the account had late payments, those will stay on their report too.
When Adding an Authorized User Makes Sense
Adding an authorized user is useful when you want to give someone access to your account without making them responsible for the debt. Common situations include giving a teenager a card to use for emergencies or everyday purchases while you monitor spending, letting a spouse use the card for household expenses, or helping a family member build credit history by adding them to an account with a long, clean payment record.
It is also a way to share the convenience of a rewards card. If you have a card that earns cash back or points, an authorized user's purchases count toward those rewards, which go to your account. This can help you reach spending thresholds for bonus rewards faster.
However, adding an authorized user is not the right move if you do not trust them to spend responsibly, if you cannot afford to pay for their charges, or if you are trying to hide the account from them. The account is yours, and you will be held responsible.
Authorized Users vs. Joint Account Holders
A joint account holder is a co-owner of the credit card account. Both of you are legally responsible for the debt, both of your names appear on the account, and both of you can make changes to the account (add or remove users, change the address, close the account). If one person does not pay, the issuer can pursue the other for the full balance.
An authorized user has none of that responsibility or power. They can use the card, but they cannot change the account, add other users, or make payments. Only the primary account holder can do those things. This makes authorized users safer for the account holder but offers less protection to the authorized user if something goes wrong.
If you are considering adding a spouse or partner, think about whether a joint account might be better. A joint account gives them equal standing and equal responsibility, which some couples prefer. An authorized user arrangement keeps you in control but makes them dependent on you to manage the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an authorized user see my full account details and payment history?
That depends on the issuer. Some issuers give authorized users access to the full account online, including the balance, payment history, and all transactions. Others show only the transactions the authorized user made. Call your issuer to ask what an authorized user can see before you add them.
What happens if an authorized user makes a purchase and I do not pay the bill?
The issuer will report the late payment to the credit bureaus under your account. Both your credit score and the authorized user's credit score (if the issuer reports the account to their credit file) will drop. The issuer can also charge you late fees and interest, and eventually pursue collection action against you.
Can I add someone as an authorized user if they are not a U.S. citizen?
Most issuers require a Social Security number or tax ID to add an authorized user. Non-citizens may have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) that works instead. Call your issuer to ask whether they accept ITINs before you try to add someone.
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
No. Adding an authorized user does not trigger a hard inquiry or change your credit score directly. However, if the authorized user runs up charges and you do not pay them on time, your score will drop because the late payment is on your account.
Can an authorized user make a payment on the account?
Most issuers do not allow authorized users to make payments. Only the primary account holder can pay the bill. If you want an authorized user to help with payments, you would need to set up a joint account or give them access to your online banking so they can transfer money to you.