What an authorized user is and why you might add one

An authorized user on a Verizon account is someone you give permission to manage part or all of your account — they can view bills, make changes to lines, pay the bill, or handle customer service calls on your behalf. You stay the account owner and remain responsible for all charges. People typically add authorized users when they want a family member, business partner, or caregiver to handle day-to-day account tasks without giving them full control.

The person you add does not need to be a Verizon customer themselves, and they do not need to be on the same phone plan. Verizon lets you set different permission levels — you can give someone access to just one phone line, or to billing and account changes across the whole account.

Key Takeaways

  • You add an authorized user through your Verizon account online, by phone, or in a store, and the process takes about 10 minutes.
  • You choose what permissions the authorized user gets — they can view bills only, manage a single line, or handle the entire account.
  • The authorized user will need to provide their name, date of birth, and contact information, but not a Social Security number.
  • You can remove an authorized user at any time through the same account settings where you added them.

Adding an authorized user through My Verizon online

The fastest way to add an authorized user is through the My Verizon website or app. Sign in to your account, then look for the account settings or account management section — this is usually in the menu under "Account" or "Settings." Find the option labeled "Authorized Users" or "Manage Authorized Users."

Click the button to add a new authorized user. You will enter the person's full name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. Verizon will ask what permissions you want to give them — common options are "View account and bills only," "Manage a specific line," or "Full account management." Choose the level that matches what you actually need them to do. After you submit, Verizon sends a confirmation email to both you and the authorized user.

The authorized user will need to accept the invitation, usually by clicking a link in that email or by logging into their own Verizon account if they have one. Once they accept, they can log in and see whatever parts of the account you gave them access to.

Adding an authorized user by phone or in a store

If you prefer not to do this online, call Verizon customer service at 611 from a Verizon phone, or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user and have the person's name, date of birth, and contact information ready. The representative will walk you through the permission options and set it up on the call — this usually takes about 10 minutes.

You can also visit a Verizon store in person. Bring a photo ID and have the authorized user's information with you. A store associate can add them to your account right there, and you will get a receipt showing what permissions were granted.

What permissions you can give an authorized user

Verizon offers different permission levels so you are not forced to give someone full control if you do not want to. The most common options are:

  • View account and bills only: The authorized user can see your bill, payment history, and plan details, but cannot make changes or pay the bill.
  • Manage a specific line: The authorized user can handle customer service for one phone number on your account — they can upgrade that phone, change the plan for that line, or pay just that line's charges.
  • Full account management: The authorized user can do almost anything you can do, including paying the full bill, adding or removing lines, and changing account settings. They cannot, however, close the account or change the account owner.

When you add the authorized user, you pick which level fits your situation. You can change these permissions later if your needs change — for example, you might start by giving someone view-only access and upgrade them to line management after a few months.

Information the authorized user needs to provide

When you add an authorized user, Verizon asks for their full name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. They do not need to provide a Social Security number, driver's license number, or any other sensitive ID. If the authorized user already has their own Verizon account, they can use the same name and date of birth they registered with.

The email address is important because Verizon sends the invitation there. Make sure you have the correct email — if the authorized user does not receive the invitation, they cannot accept it and will not gain access. If the email bounces back, you can resend the invitation or update their email address through your account settings.

Removing or changing an authorized user

If you need to remove an authorized user or change their permissions, go back to the same "Authorized Users" section in My Verizon where you added them. You will see a list of everyone with access to your account. Next to each person's name, you can click an option to edit their permissions or remove them entirely. Changes take effect when ready — the person loses access as soon as you confirm the removal.

You do not need to notify Verizon separately or call customer service to remove someone. If you remove an authorized user, they will no longer be able to see your account or make changes, but they will not receive a notification from Verizon. It is a good idea to tell them directly that their access has been removed, especially if they were using it for work or family responsibilities.

What an authorized user cannot do

Even with full account management permissions, an authorized user has limits. They cannot close your account, change the account owner's name, or remove the account owner from the account. They also cannot change the account owner's contact information or password without your help. These restrictions exist to protect you from someone taking over your account completely.

If you are worried about security, remember that you can set permissions at a lower level — giving someone view-only access or access to just one phone line means they cannot make broad changes even if they wanted to. You can also remove someone's access at any time, and Verizon keeps a record of what changes authorized users made to your account, which you can review in your account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an authorized user see my password or change it?

No. An authorized user cannot see your password, change it, or access your account using your login. They have their own separate access that you grant through the authorized user feature. If you are concerned about security, you can change your password anytime, and it will not affect their access.

What happens if I add someone as an authorized user and then change my mind?

You can remove them when ready through My Verizon or by calling customer service. Once you remove them, they lose access right away and cannot see your account anymore. There is no waiting period or approval needed — you are the account owner and can make this change whenever you want.

Do I have to pay extra to add an authorized user?

No. Verizon does not charge a fee to add, manage, or remove authorized users. It is included as part of your account management options at no additional cost.

Can an authorized user add another authorized user?

No. Only the account owner can add or remove authorized users. Even if you give someone full account management permissions, they cannot grant access to other people — that power stays with you.

What if the authorized user is a minor?

Verizon allows you to add someone under 18 as an authorized user, but they will need to provide their date of birth. Some permissions may be limited for minors depending on your account type, so ask the Verizon representative if you are adding a child whether any restrictions explore.