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 spend up to your credit limit, but the bill comes to you. You set the rules about what they can buy and how much they can spend — the card company does not enforce those limits. The authorized user's name appears on their card and on your monthly statement, but the account itself belongs to you.
Authorized users are different from joint account holders. A joint account holder has equal legal responsibility for the debt and can make changes to the account. An authorized user has no legal obligation to pay and cannot change the account terms, add other users, or request a credit limit increase.
Key Takeaways
- You are the primary account holder and remain fully responsible for all charges an authorized user makes, regardless of who actually used the card.
- Authorized users can make purchases with a card in their name, but they cannot change account settings, request credit limit increases, or add other users.
- The authorized user's payment history and credit activity on your account may appear on their credit report, which can help or hurt their credit score depending on how the account is managed.
- You can remove an authorized user at any time by calling your card issuer, and their access stops when ready.
- Some issuers allow you to set spending limits or merchant restrictions for authorized users, though enforcement varies by card company.
How an Authorized User Gets Added to Your Account
To add an authorized user, call your card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card or log into your online account. You will provide the person's full name, date of birth, and sometimes their Social Security number. The issuer will verify the information and then mail a card to the address on file or to an address you specify.
The process usually takes five to ten business days. Some issuers offer expedited card delivery for an extra fee. Until the physical card arrives, the authorized user cannot make purchases, though some issuers allow temporary digital card numbers for online shopping.
You do not need the authorized user's permission to add them, and they do not need to have a credit history or good credit score. This is why parents often add children as authorized users and why some people add spouses or partners.
What Authorized Users Can and Cannot Do
An authorized user can make purchases anywhere the card is accepted — in stores, online, and over the phone. They receive their own card with their name printed on it. They can see transactions on the account if they have access to the online portal or mobile app, depending on what the issuer allows.
An authorized user cannot request a credit limit increase, change the account address, add or remove other users, change the payment due date, or request a different card design. They cannot close the account or change the interest rate. If they want to make changes, they must ask you to do it.
Some card issuers allow you to set spending limits for authorized users or restrict which types of merchants they can use. For example, you might limit an authorized user to $500 per month or block purchases at certain stores. Not all issuers offer this feature, and the restrictions are set by you, not enforced by the card company — you are responsible for monitoring the account.
How an Authorized User Affects Credit Reports
When you add an authorized user, the card issuer may report the account to the credit bureaus under that person's name. This means the account's payment history, credit limit, and balance appear on their credit report. If you pay on time every month, the authorized user's credit score may improve. If you miss payments or carry a high balance, their score may drop.
The authorized user has no control over this — they cannot remove the account from their credit report themselves. Only you can remove them from the account, which stops the reporting to their credit file. The account may remain on their credit report for up to seven years after removal, depending on the credit bureau.
Some people add authorized users specifically to help them build credit, especially young adults or people rebuilding after financial difficulty. Others do not realize the account will appear on the authorized user's credit report and are surprised when it affects their score. Before adding someone, consider whether the account will help or hurt their credit standing.
Removing an Authorized User
To remove an authorized user, call your card issuer or use your online account. You provide the authorized user's name, and the issuer cancels their card when ready. The authorized user can no longer make purchases with that card.
You do not need the authorized user's permission to remove them. You also do not need to tell them in advance, though it is usually a good idea to do so if the person is a family member or someone you trust. Once removed, they cannot access the account or make charges.
The account may continue to appear on their credit report for several years, but new activity will not be reported. If the account had a negative history, removal does not erase that history from their credit file — it only stops new information from being added.
When Authorized User Status Matters Most
Parents often add children as authorized users to teach them how to use credit responsibly. The child learns to make purchases and see how the account works, while the parent maintains control and pays the bill. This can help a young person build a credit history before they explore for their own card.
Some people add a spouse or partner as an authorized user instead of explore for a joint account, which keeps the account in one person's name while giving both people access to the card. This is useful if one person has better credit or if you want to keep the account separate for legal or financial reasons.
Authorized user status can also be temporary. You might add someone for a specific purpose — a family member visiting from out of town, a business partner who needs to make purchases on the account, or a caregiver managing expenses for an elderly parent — and remove them when the situation changes.
Disputes and Fraud With Authorized Users
If an authorized user makes a purchase you did not approve, you are still responsible for paying it. The card issuer will not remove the charge just because you did not authorize it — they will only do so if the authorized user disputes the charge themselves or if you report it as fraud.
If an authorized user makes unauthorized purchases, your options are to remove them from the account, pay the charge, or dispute it with the issuer. Disputing charges made by someone you added is difficult because the card issuer sees them as authorized. If you believe fraud has occurred, contact the issuer when ready and explain the situation.
If an authorized user's card is lost or stolen, call your issuer right away to report it. The issuer will cancel that card and may issue a replacement. The account itself remains open and active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Adding an authorized user does not directly hurt your score. However, if the authorized user makes large purchases that increase your balance, your credit utilization ratio goes up, which can lower your score. If they make late payments or you miss payments on the account, your score will drop. The account's history affects your credit, not the act of adding the person.
Can an authorized user explore for credit in their own name?
Yes. An authorized user can explore for their own credit card, loan, or other credit product. Lenders will see the authorized user account on their credit report, which may help or hurt their process depending on the account's history. Some lenders view authorized user accounts as less meaningful than accounts the person opened themselves.
What happens to an authorized user account if the primary account holder dies?
The account does not automatically close. The card issuer will contact the estate or next of kin. The authorized user can no longer use the card, and the account becomes part of the primary holder's estate. The authorized user has no legal responsibility to pay the balance, but the debt must be settled from the estate's assets.
Can I set a spending limit for an authorized user?
Some card issuers allow you to set monthly spending limits or merchant restrictions through your online account or by calling customer service. Not all issuers offer this feature. Even if you set a limit, you are responsible for monitoring the account to make sure it is not exceeded — the card company does not enforce the limit at the point of sale.
Is an authorized user the same as a joint account holder?
No. An authorized user can make purchases but has no legal responsibility for the debt and cannot change account terms. A joint account holder has equal legal responsibility for all charges and can make account changes. Joint accounts are less common and require both people to explore together.