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Understanding Authorization Codes

An authorization code is a combination of numbers and sometimes letters, issued by a card-issuing bank. This code signifies a hold for funds against your customer's balance. All approved transactions receive an authorization code.

Finding the Authorization Code

To find the authorization code, sign into the Merchant Interface and select "Search for a Transaction" in the Search section. Enter the search criteria to find the transaction you need and select "Search". Then, click on the Transaction ID to view the transaction details page. The authorization code can be found under the Authorization Information section.

If a transaction was declined by the Address Verification Service (AVS), a valid authorization code will not be displayed. If you wish to complete the transaction despite the AVS decline, contact the card issuer to obtain a new authorization code and then run a Capture Only transaction.

Authorize.net cannot remove existing authorizations that are held on the customer's credit card. However, you can contact the card issuing bank using the phone number on the back of your customer's credit card, and request that they reverse the authorization. You will need the merchant number for that card type and the authorization code for that transaction to request that they remove the funds that are on hold.

Retrieving the Authorization Code

You can retrieve the authorization code by viewing the transaction details. 

To view the transaction details:

  1. Sign in to the Merchant Interface.
  2. Click Transaction Search from the main toolbar.
  3. Enter one or more search parameters in the fields provided. You may also select a date range with the drop-down tabs under the heading, "Settlement Date".
  4. Choose how many results per page to be displayed on the screen. Click the "Show results per page" drop-down box and choose between 10, 15, 20, or 25 results.
  5. Click the Search button at the bottom of the page. Your Transaction Summary is displayed.
  6. Click the Transaction ID. The Transaction Detail page is displayed. The authorization code appears in the Authorization Information section.

 

 

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