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 — make changes to your plan, pay bills, add lines, or handle customer service calls on your behalf. You stay the account owner and remain responsible for all charges. The authorized user straightforward gets access to do certain tasks without needing your password.

People add authorized users for practical reasons: a spouse who handles household bills, an adult child managing a parent's account, a business manager overseeing company lines, or a trusted family member who can help during an emergency. The person you add can see your account details and make decisions, so this is a permission you should only give to someone you trust completely.

Key Takeaways

  • You add an authorized user through My Verizon online, the My Verizon app, or by calling Verizon customer service at 611 from a Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899.
  • The authorized user will need to verify their identity with Verizon before they can access your account, usually by answering security questions or receiving a verification code.
  • You can set limits on what an authorized user can do — for example, allow them to pay bills but not change your plan, or vice versa.
  • You can remove an authorized user at any time through the same channels where you added them, and they will lose access when ready.
  • An authorized user can see your account balance, phone numbers, service details, and billing history, so only add someone whose access to this information you are comfortable with.

Adding an authorized user through My Verizon online

Log into your My Verizon account at verizon.com using your account number or phone number and password. Once you are signed in, look for "Account" or "Account Settings" in the main menu — the exact location varies depending on whether you have wireless, home internet, or both, but it is always in the top navigation.

Find the section labeled "Authorized Users" or "Manage Authorized Users." Click the option to add a new authorized user. You will be asked for the person's full name, date of birth, and email address. Enter their information exactly as they would provide it to Verizon customer service, because they will need to verify these details before they can use the account access.

Next, you will see a list of permissions — things like "View Account," "Make Payments," "Change Plan," or "Manage Lines." Check the boxes for only the tasks you want this person to handle. If you are unsure what each permission covers, Verizon usually shows a brief description when you hover over or click the permission name. Once you have selected permissions, click "Save" or "Add Authorized User."

Verizon will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. The authorized user will receive a separate email asking them to verify their identity — they may need to answer security questions, confirm their date of birth, or enter a code sent to their phone. Once they complete verification, they can log into My Verizon and see the account details and tools you have given them access to.

Adding an authorized user through the My Verizon app

Open the My Verizon app on your phone and sign in with your account credentials. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and look for "Account" or "Settings." Navigate to "Authorized Users" or "Manage Authorized Users."

Tap "Add Authorized User" and enter the person's full name, date of birth, and email address. Select which permissions you want to grant them from the list provided. The app will show you a summary of what you are about to do — review it to make sure the name and permissions are correct, then tap "Confirm" or "Add."

The process from here is the same as online: Verizon sends a confirmation to you and a verification request to the authorized user. They will need to complete identity verification before they can access your account through the app or online.

Adding an authorized user by phone

Call Verizon customer service at 611 from any Verizon phone, or call 1-908-559-4899 from any phone. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user to your account. They will ask for your account number or the phone number associated with your account, and they may ask security questions to verify you are the account owner.

Provide the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and email address. The representative will ask which permissions you want to grant — be specific about what tasks you want them to handle. The representative will confirm the details with you before saving the changes.

Verizon will send confirmation and verification instructions to the authorized user's email. They will need to complete the verification step before they can use their access, just as they would if you had added them online or through the app.

What permissions you can set and what they mean

Verizon lets you choose which account actions an authorized user can perform. The most common permissions are:

  • View Account: The authorized user can see your account balance, service details, phone numbers, and billing history, but cannot make changes.
  • Make Payments: The authorized user can pay your bill using existing payment methods on file, but cannot add new payment methods or change billing information.
  • Change Plan: The authorized user can upgrade, downgrade, or modify your service plan, which may affect your monthly charges.
  • Manage Lines: The authorized user can add new phone lines, remove existing lines, or transfer lines between accounts.
  • Manage Devices: The authorized user can upgrade phones, add insurance, or make changes to device settings on your account.

You do not have to grant all permissions. For example, you might allow someone to pay bills and view the account but not change your plan. This approach limits what they can do if their login is compromised or if you later decide you no longer want them to have full access.

Changing or removing an authorized user

If you want to change what an authorized user can do, log back into My Verizon, go to the Authorized Users section, find their name, and click "Edit" or "Manage Permissions." Uncheck the permissions you want to remove and save your changes. The authorized user will lose access to those functions when ready, though they will still be able to use the permissions you left checked.

To remove an authorized user completely, go to the same section, find their name, and click "Remove" or "Delete." Confirm the action when prompted. Once you remove them, they will no longer be able to access your account through My Verizon, the app, or over the phone — Verizon will no longer recognize them as having permission to discuss your account.

You can also call Verizon customer service to change or remove an authorized user. The process is the same: verify your identity, tell the representative what you want to change, and they will update your account on the spot.

Security considerations when adding an authorized user

Adding an authorized user means giving someone access to sensitive information: your account balance, service history, phone numbers, and billing details. Only add people you trust completely. If you are unsure about someone, do not add them — you can always add them later if circumstances change.

Use the permission settings to limit what each person can do. If someone only needs to pay bills, do not give them permission to change your plan or add lines. If someone only needs to view your account, do not let them make payments or manage devices. The more narrowly you define permissions, the less damage someone could do if their login is compromised or if your relationship with them changes.

Check your authorized users list periodically — at least once or twice a year. If someone is no longer involved in managing your account, remove them. If you have ended a relationship with someone or they no longer need access, remove them when ready. Verizon does not automatically remove authorized users when circumstances change; you have to do it yourself.

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 credentials. They have their own separate access that Verizon grants them. If you want to revoke their access, you can do so without changing your password.

What happens if an authorized user makes a payment or changes my plan?

You remain the account owner and responsible for all charges and changes. If an authorized user makes a payment, it comes from your account. If they change your plan, you are responsible for the new charges. This is why you should only add people you trust and should limit their permissions to only what they actually need to do.

Can I add an authorized user if I am not the primary account owner?

No. Only the primary account owner can add or remove authorized users. If you are a secondary account holder or authorized user yourself, you cannot add another authorized user. You would need to ask the primary account owner to do it.

How long does it take for an authorized user to get access after I add them?

Once you add them, Verizon sends them a verification email when ready. If they complete verification the same day, they can access the account within hours. If they wait to verify, access begins once verification is complete. There is no waiting period after verification is done.

Can I set different permissions for different authorized users?

Yes. Each authorized user can have a different set of permissions. One person might be able to pay bills and view the account, while another can only view the account. You control each person's permissions separately.