How to Add an Authorized User Who Has Bad Credit to a Credit Card

Authorized users on credit accounts are not financially obligated to the repayment of the account. Parents often add their college-age children to their credit cards as authorized users. This helps give them some extra cash while at the same time building their credit. Adding an authorized user is not difficult, so long as the credit card company offers this service.

Instructions

1

Understand that credit card companies are not concerned about the credit history of authorized users. They do not even perform a credit check. Since the account is already open under the original applicant's credit (and that credit was sufficient), credit card companies usually allow one or two additional authorized users.

2

Contact the customer service department or account servicing department of your credit card company. Ask whether or not they allow authorized users.

3

Obtain a copy of an Additional Cardholder Authorization form. These will vary from lender to lender, but essentially the document tells the original borrower that he or she is responsible for any debts accumulated by authorized users.

4

Carefully review the document with proposed authorized user. Original borrowers also have the power to remove authorized users at any time.

5

Fax or mail the completed authorized user agreement to your credit card company. You may need to wait as much as 3 to 4 weeks to receive confirmation and a new credit card for the authorized user.