Authorized user on a credit card in Canada: who pays, what it does for credit, and the risks
Quick summary
An authorized user is someone who can use your credit card but does not owe the balance. You, the primary cardholder, pay for everything. The FCAC says purchases made by an authorized user do not help that person build credit history, so it is mainly a way to share a card, not a way to build credit. If you want to add your teen, read how to add your teen to your credit card.
Checked November 12, 2026. Main source: FCAC: Joint credit cards (modified October 15, 2025, read November 12, 2026). See all 2 sources.
Key facts
- Who owes the balance
- The primary cardholder, including purchases by authorized users
- Source: FCAC, Oct. 15, 2025
- Credit history
- An authorized user's purchases do not help that person build credit history
- Source: FCAC, Oct. 15, 2025
- Who can add or remove
- The primary cardholder, at any time
- Source: FCAC, Oct. 15, 2025
- Under the age of majority
- Some issuers allow it. Contact the issuer
- Source: FCAC, Oct. 15, 2025
What an authorized user is
The FCAC says an authorized user, or additional cardholder, gets a card linked to the primary cardholder's account and can make purchases like the primary cardholder. The account belongs to the primary cardholder.
The primary cardholder must be at least the age of majority in their province or territory.
Source: FCAC: Joint credit cards (modified October 15, 2025, read November 12, 2026).
Authorized user, co-borrower and guarantor compared
| Role | Can use the account? | Responsible for the balance? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary cardholder | Yes | Yes, including purchases by authorized users | Named on the agreement, controls the account |
| Authorized user | Yes, with a linked card | No | The primary cardholder can add or remove them at any time |
| Co-borrower or co-applicant | Yes | Yes, equally | Shares full responsibility |
| Guarantor | No | Yes | Often a parent or guardian of a minor |
Source: FCAC: Joint credit cards (modified October 15, 2025, read November 12, 2026).
Does it build credit?
The FCAC says purchases made by an additional cardholder or authorized user will not help that person build credit history. The page does not discuss other credit report effects.
You will see websites that say being added as an authorized user can raise a score. We found no official page that says issuers report authorized users to Equifax or TransUnion, so we do not promise it. If credit history is the goal, ask the issuer directly and get the answer in writing.
A card in your own name is what builds your own credit history. See the secured card and credit builder guides below.
Source: FCAC: Joint credit cards (modified October 15, 2025, read November 12, 2026).
Risks for the primary cardholder
- You pay for every purchase, including your authorized user's. The FCAC says so directly.
- Their spending counts toward your balance. Utilization compares how much of your limit you use, so a big balance can raise yours. That is our reasoning from the FCAC's description of utilization.
- A late or missed payment is on your account.
- You can remove the person at any time, so agree on rules first.
Sources: FCAC: Joint credit cards (modified October 15, 2025, read November 12, 2026); FCAC: Improve your credit score (modified November 4, 2026).
Ask the card issuer before you add someone
- Is there a minimum age for an authorized user?
- Is there a fee for an extra card?
- Can I set a spending limit on the extra card?
- Can I get alerts about purchases?
- Do you report authorized users to the credit bureaus? (The FCAC page does not say.)
- How do I remove them later?
These are our questions, not a government checklist. The FCAC says some issuers allow authorized users under the age of majority and to contact the issuer.
Related guides
Check what you learned
3 quick questions. Nothing is saved or sent.
1. Who owes the balance when an authorized user spends?
2. What does the FCAC say about an authorized user's purchases and credit history?
3. Who can remove an authorized user?
Questions people ask
Is an authorized user responsible for the debt?
No. The account belongs to the primary cardholder, who pays for all purchases, according to the FCAC.
Does being an authorized user build credit in Canada?
The FCAC says an authorized user's purchases will not help that person build credit history. It does not say whether issuers report authorized users, so ask the issuer.
Can a minor be an authorized user?
Some issuers allow it, per the FCAC. Contact the issuer for its rules.
Can I remove an authorized user?
Yes. The FCAC says the primary cardholder can add or remove them at any time.
What is the difference between an authorized user and a co-borrower?
A co-borrower shares full responsibility for the balance. An authorized user does not.