You can remove an authorized user by calling your card issuer, submitting a request online, or visiting a branch in person
Removing an authorized user from your credit card account is straightforward: contact your card issuer directly and ask them to remove the person. Most issuers let you do this by phone, through their website or mobile app, or in writing. The process typically takes effect within one to three business days, though some issuers complete it the same day you request it.
The authorized user's card will stop working immediately or within a few days, depending on the issuer. However, removal does not erase the account history — the card activity that occurred while they were authorized will remain on your credit report and theirs. If you are concerned about fraud or unauthorized charges, report those separately to your issuer's fraud department rather than simply removing the user.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your card issuer by phone, online, or in person to request removal; most process the request within one to three business days.
- Removing an authorized user does not delete past transactions or change what appears on either person's credit report.
- The authorized user's physical card stops working, but the account history remains visible to both you and the credit bureaus.
- If fraud occurred, report it to your issuer's fraud department separately — removal alone does not reverse unauthorized charges.
- Some issuers allow you to remove a user online immediately, while others require a phone call or written request.
How to contact your card issuer to remove an authorized user
The fastest method depends on your issuer. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to remove an authorized user. Have the authorized user's full name and the last four digits of their card number ready. Most issuers complete this over the phone in under five minutes.
If you prefer not to call, log into your online account or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Manage Authorized Users," "Account Settings," or "Card Management." Many issuers including Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Discover let you remove a user directly from this menu without speaking to anyone. Some issuers also accept written requests by mail — check your card's website for the mailing address and any specific form they require.
Visiting a branch in person works if your issuer has physical locations. Bring your card and a photo ID. This method is slower than calling or using the website, but it creates a paper record of your request if you need one later.
What happens to the authorized user's card and account access
Once you request removal, the authorized user loses the ability to use their card. Most issuers deactivate it immediately, though some take up to three business days. The user cannot make new purchases, but existing pending transactions may still post to your account — contact your issuer if you see charges after removal and dispute them if they are unauthorized.
The authorized user loses access to the online account portal and mobile app tied to your card. They cannot view statements, make payments, or change account settings. However, they can still see their own credit report, which will continue to show the account history from the time they were authorized.
If the authorized user has a physical card, they should destroy it or return it to you. Cutting it up is sufficient. The card number becomes useless once the issuer deactivates it, but destroying it prevents accidental use or confusion.
How removal affects credit reports and credit history
Removing an authorized user does not erase the account from either person's credit report. The account will continue to appear on your credit report indefinitely — typically for seven to ten years after the account closes, depending on whether it was in good standing. The authorized user's credit report will also show the account history from the period they were authorized.
If the account was in good standing (no late payments), removal may slightly lower the authorized user's credit score because they lose the positive payment history and available credit associated with the account. If the account had late payments or high balances, removal may actually help their score by removing negative marks.
Your own credit score is not affected by removing an authorized user. The account remains on your report with the same history it had before removal. If you close the entire card account later, that closure will appear on your report, but the removal of one user does not trigger any credit reporting change.
Removing a user who made unauthorized charges
If the authorized user made charges you did not approve, remove them first, then report the fraud. Call your issuer's fraud department — the number is usually on the back of your card or in your account settings — and describe the unauthorized transactions. Provide the dates, amounts, and merchant names if you have them.
Your issuer will investigate and may reverse the charges, though this can take 30 to 90 days. In the meantime, you are typically not liable for unauthorized charges made by an authorized user, but the burden of proof falls on you to show the charges were not approved. Keep records of any communication with the user showing you did not authorize the spending, such as text messages or emails.
Do not assume removal alone will stop the charges or reverse them. Some issuers require a formal fraud claim before they will credit your account. Ask the fraud department what documentation they need and whether they will issue a temporary credit while they investigate.
Timing and what to expect after removal
Most issuers process removal requests within one to three business days. If you call during business hours, some will deactivate the card the same day. If you submit a request online or by mail, expect the longer timeline. Check your account a few days after requesting removal to confirm the authorized user no longer appears in your account settings.
If the authorized user tries to use their card after removal, the transaction will be declined. They may contact you asking why, so decide in advance whether you want to explain or simply tell them the card no longer works. If the removal was due to fraud or a dispute, you may not want to discuss it.
Some issuers send a confirmation email or letter after removing an authorized user. If you do not receive one within a week, call back to verify the removal went through. This is especially important if you removed the user due to fraud or a security concern.
Removing an authorized user versus closing the account
Removing an authorized user is different from closing the entire card account. Removal keeps your account open and active — you can still use the card, earn rewards, and make payments. Only the other person loses access. Closing the account ends it for everyone and affects your credit utilization ratio and credit history.
If you want to end the relationship with the authorized user but keep using the card yourself, removal is the right choice. If you want to close the account entirely, you will need to make a separate request to close it. Some issuers let you do both at once, but they are two separate actions.
Closing an account does not erase its history from your credit report. The closed account will continue to appear for seven to ten years, showing whether it was in good standing or had late payments. Removal of an authorized user does not close the account, so this distinction does not apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the authorized user know I removed them?
Not automatically. Your issuer does not notify the authorized user when you remove them. They will find out when their card is declined or when they try to log into the account. If you want them to know, you will need to tell them yourself.
Can I remove an authorized user if they are a minor?
Yes. Age does not change the removal process. Call your issuer and request removal by name. If the minor has their own card, it will be deactivated. The account history will remain on both your credit report and theirs.
Does removing an authorized user affect my rewards or points?
No. Your rewards balance and any points the authorized user earned remain on your account. You keep all the rewards; the authorized user does not get a separate copy. If they earned points while authorized, those points belong to your account.
What if the authorized user refuses to return their card?
Once the card is deactivated, it cannot be used regardless of whether it is returned. You can ask them to destroy it or return it, but if they refuse, the deactivated card is harmless. If you are concerned about misuse, report it to your issuer's fraud department.
Can I remove an authorized user if there is a balance on the card?
Yes. The account balance does not prevent removal. You remain responsible for paying the balance whether the authorized user is on the account or not. Removal does not change who owes the money — you do.