You can add an authorized user to most Chase cards by calling the number on the back of your card or using the Chase mobile app

Chase lets you add an authorized user to your account in about five minutes, either through their app or by phone. The authorized user gets their own card linked to your account and can make purchases, but you remain responsible for all charges. Chase does not run a credit check on the person you add, and it does not affect their credit score when you add them — though their credit score may improve over time if Chase reports their activity to the credit bureaus.

The process is straightforward: you provide the person's name, date of birth, and address, and Chase mails them a card. You can set spending limits if your card allows it, and you can remove them at any time. Some Chase cards charge a fee to add an authorized user; most do not.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add an authorized user through the Chase app under Account Services or by calling the customer service number on your card.
  • Chase does not charge a fee to add an authorized user on most cards, though a few premium cards do charge.
  • The authorized user receives their own physical card but shares your credit line and account balance.
  • You can set spending limits on some Chase cards and remove an authorized user at any time without penalty.
  • Adding an authorized user does not affect their credit score, but their payment history on the account may help their credit over time.

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 "Account Services" or "Manage Card." The exact wording varies by card type, but there will be an option to add an authorized user.

You will need the person's full name, date of birth, and mailing address. Chase will ask whether they live at the same address as you; answer honestly, as this affects how they process the request. After you submit the information, Chase sends a confirmation to your email and mails a card to the address you provided. The card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Adding an authorized user by phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user. They will ask for the person's full name, date of birth, and address — the same information the app requires.

The phone route is useful if you have questions about spending limits, fees, or whether your specific card allows authorized users. Some older or restricted cards do not; the representative can tell you immediately. If you add the user by phone, the card still arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Fees and which cards charge them

Most Chase cards do not charge a fee to add an authorized user. However, some premium cards do. The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $75 per authorized user per year. The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not charge a fee. The Chase Ink Business Preferred does not charge a fee for authorized users.

Before you add someone, log into your account or call customer service to confirm whether your card charges a fee. If it does, you will see the fee listed in your account or the representative will tell you the amount. You can choose not to add the user if you do not want to pay the fee.

Setting spending limits and removing authorized users

Not all Chase cards allow you to set individual spending limits on authorized users. If your card does, you can set a limit through the app under the authorized user's name, or you can ask the phone representative to set one for you. The limit applies only to that person's card and does not affect your own spending power on the account.

To remove an authorized user, go to the same menu in the app where you added them, find their name, and select "Remove." By phone, tell the representative you want to remove an authorized user and provide their name. Removal is immediate — their card stops working right away, though it may take a few days for the change to show in your online account.

How authorized user activity affects credit reports

Chase reports authorized user activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — on most of their cards. This means the authorized user's credit report will show the account and its payment history. If you pay on time, their credit score may improve. If you miss payments, their credit score will be hurt, even though they did not make the charges.

Adding someone as an authorized user does not trigger a hard inquiry on their credit report, so it does not lower their score at the moment you add them. However, the account itself appears on their credit report once Chase reports it to the bureaus, which usually happens within one or two billing cycles.

What happens if the authorized user makes charges you did not approve

You are responsible for all charges on your account, including charges made by an authorized user. Chase does not distinguish between charges you made and charges they made — the bill is yours.

If an authorized user makes fraudulent charges or charges you did not consent to, you can dispute them as you would any other charge. Call the number on the back of your card and explain the situation. Chase will investigate, but the outcome depends on whether the person was truly authorized to use the card. If you added them as an authorized user, Chase may not treat unauthorized charges the same way they would treat fraud by a stranger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?

No. Chase does not run a credit check on the authorized user, and adding them does not trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report. Your credit score is not affected at the moment you add them.

Can I add a minor as an authorized user?

Yes. Chase allows you to add authorized users as young as 13 years old on some cards. The person must have a valid address, and you provide their date of birth. A minor's credit score may improve if the account is reported to the bureaus and payments are on time.

What if the authorized user's card gets lost or stolen?

Call the number on the back of your card and report the card lost or stolen. Chase will cancel that card immediately and can mail a replacement to the authorized user. You remain responsible for any charges made before you report it.

Can I add an authorized user with a different last name?

Yes. Chase does not require the authorized user to have the same last name as you. Provide their full legal name as it appears on their ID, and Chase will issue a card in that name.

How many authorized users can I add to one card?

Chase allows multiple authorized users on most cards, but the exact number varies by card type. Call customer service or check your account to see the limit for your specific card. Each authorized user shares the same credit line and account balance.