What does it mean to be an authorised user on a bank account?

30 June 2026

Lots of people are authorised users on someone else’s bank account – perhaps one belonging to a relative or partner on a business account. But it’s not always obvious what that actually means and what responsibilities come with it.

The key point is simple: being authorised to use an account isn’t the same as the account being yours.

Account holders decide exactly what an authorised user can and can’t do. These permissions are usually set out in writing.

A general authorisation will normally allow someone to:

• take out money
• make transfers
• view the balance and transactions and ask for information
• set up direct debits or other regular payments
• use a payment card, if the bank issues one.

As an authorised user, you act on behalf of the account holder. That means there are important limits that shouldn’t be crosses. So it’s worth being clear that:

• the money in the account isn’t yours
• you can’t close the account
• you can’t change the account holders or the account terms
• you can’t ask for the account to be blocked
• you can’t keep using the account after the account holder has died.

An authorisation is temporary and comes with conditions. The account holder can withdraw or change it at any time.

You can also remove yourself as an authorised user whenever you want. You just need to let the bank know.

And remember: being an authorised user doesn’t mean you can’t be held responsible for the transactions you make while acting in that role.