> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://getlemma.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activate a physical card

> Track a physical Lemma debit card's delivery and activate it so it approves in-person purchases.

Physical cards are issued with a card number that's active immediately. The number is visible in the dashboard as soon as you [issue the card](https://getlemma.com/docs/guides/cards#issuing-a-card), so you can use it for online purchases while the card is in the mail. In-person purchases stay blocked until you activate the card.

A physical card ships by USPS. Activate it as soon as it arrives so it can approve in-person purchases.

## Tracking delivery

Open the card from the [cards page](https://app.getlemma.com/_/cards) to follow the shipment:

| Stage | What it means |
| - | - |
| Printing | The order is with the card printer. Nothing has shipped yet. |
| In transit | The card is printed and on its way to the delivery address. |
| Delivered | The card reached the address. It's ready to activate. |

## Activating the card when it arrives

**1. Open the card**

Go to the [cards page](https://app.getlemma.com/_/cards) and select the card
that arrived. You can also scan the QR code mailed with your debit card.

**2. Check that the delivery status reads Delivered**

**Activate card** stays disabled until the card is delivered.

**3. Click Activate card**

The card starts approving in-person purchases immediately, within its
existing spending limits. The delivery panel disappears once the card is
active.

Don't activate a card you haven't physically received. If a card is lost in transit, [cancel it](https://getlemma.com/docs/guides/manage-a-card.md#canceling-a-card) and issue a new one.

> [!NOTE]
>
> A read-only cardholder can't activate their own card. An Owner, CFO, or
> Accounting teammate needs to activate it for them.


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