diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame.cc b/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame.cc
index cd388846..908fc53 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame.cc
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame.cc
@@ -861,7 +861,8 @@
       // Deliver headers from this interim response but reset everything else to
       // prepare for the next set of headers. Skip 101 Switching Protocols
       // because these are considered final headers for the current protocol.
-      visitor_->OnInterimHeaders(std::move(*headers_));
+      visitor_->OnInterimHeaders(
+          std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>(std::move(*headers_)));
       Reset();
       checkpoint = message_start = message_current;
       continue;
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame_test.cc b/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame_test.cc
index 9b1db61..cb47cfa 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame_test.cc
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_frame_test.cc
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <limits>
 #include <map>
+#include <memory>
 #include <random>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@
 using ::testing::IsEmpty;
 using ::testing::Mock;
 using ::testing::NiceMock;
+using ::testing::Pointee;
 using ::testing::Property;
 using ::testing::Range;
 using ::testing::StrEq;
@@ -556,7 +558,8 @@
   MOCK_METHOD(void, OnChunkLength, (size_t length), (override));
   MOCK_METHOD(void, OnChunkExtensionInput, (absl::string_view input),
               (override));
-  MOCK_METHOD(void, OnInterimHeaders, (BalsaHeaders headers), (override));
+  MOCK_METHOD(void, OnInterimHeaders, (std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders> headers),
+              (override));
   MOCK_METHOD(void, ContinueHeaderDone, (), (override));
   MOCK_METHOD(void, HeaderDone, (), (override));
   MOCK_METHOD(void, MessageDone, (), (override));
@@ -3794,8 +3797,8 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
   EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, HeaderDone()).Times(0);
   EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, MessageDone()).Times(0);
 
@@ -3853,8 +3856,8 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
   ASSERT_EQ(
       balsa_frame_.ProcessInput(initial_headers.data(), initial_headers.size()),
       initial_headers.size());
@@ -3892,8 +3895,8 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
   EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, ContinueHeaderDone).Times(0);
   ASSERT_EQ(
       balsa_frame_.ProcessInput(initial_headers.data(), initial_headers.size()),
@@ -3960,8 +3963,8 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
   ASSERT_EQ(
       balsa_frame_.ProcessInput(initial_headers.data(), initial_headers.size()),
       initial_headers.size());
@@ -4024,8 +4027,8 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
   EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, HeaderDone());
 
   ASSERT_EQ(balsa_frame_.ProcessInput(both_headers.data(), both_headers.size()),
@@ -4056,10 +4059,10 @@
   balsa_frame_.set_use_interim_headers_callback(true);
 
   InSequence s;
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100)));
-  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Property(
-                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 103)));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 100))));
+  EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, OnInterimHeaders(Pointee(Property(
+                                 &BalsaHeaders::parsed_response_code, 103))));
   EXPECT_CALL(visitor_mock_, HeaderDone());
 
   ASSERT_EQ(balsa_frame_.ProcessInput(all_headers.data(), all_headers.size()),
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.cc b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.cc
index 8e9fcff..137ae83 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.cc
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.cc
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h"
 
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_headers.h"
 
 namespace quiche {
 
-void BalsaHeadersSequence::Append(BalsaHeaders headers) {
+void BalsaHeadersSequence::Append(std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders> headers) {
   sequence_.push_back(std::move(headers));
 }
 
@@ -14,14 +16,14 @@
   if (!HasNext()) {
     return nullptr;
   }
-  return &sequence_[next_];
+  return sequence_[next_].get();
 }
 
 BalsaHeaders* BalsaHeadersSequence::Next() {
   if (!HasNext()) {
     return nullptr;
   }
-  return &sequence_[next_++];
+  return sequence_[next_++].get();
 }
 
 void BalsaHeadersSequence::Clear() {
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h
index ca521f6..3fe10fd 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define QUICHE_BALSA_BALSA_HEADERS_SEQUENCE_H_
 
 #include <cstddef>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "absl/container/inlined_vector.h"
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_headers.h"
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@
 class QUICHE_EXPORT BalsaHeadersSequence {
  public:
   // Appends `headers` to the end of the sequence.
-  void Append(BalsaHeaders headers);
+  void Append(std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders> headers);
 
   // Returns true if there is a BalsaHeaders that has not yet been returned from
   // `Next()`. IFF true, `Next()` will return non-nullptr.
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@
  private:
   // Typically at most two interim responses: an optional 100 Continue and an
   // optional 103 Early Hints.
-  absl::InlinedVector<BalsaHeaders, 2> sequence_;
+  absl::InlinedVector<std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders>, 2> sequence_;
 
   // The index of the next entry in the sequence.
   size_t next_ = 0;
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence_test.cc b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence_test.cc
index bbcebb0..ac62f5e 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence_test.cc
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence_test.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_headers_sequence.h"
 
+#include <memory>
 #include <utility>
 
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_headers.h"
@@ -18,13 +19,13 @@
 TEST(BalsaHeadersSequenceTest, Basic) {
   BalsaHeadersSequence sequence;
 
-  BalsaHeaders headers_one;
-  headers_one.AppendHeader("one", "fish");
+  auto headers_one = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_one->AppendHeader("one", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_one));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
 
-  BalsaHeaders headers_two;
-  headers_two.AppendHeader("two", "fish");
+  auto headers_two = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_two->AppendHeader("two", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_two));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
 
@@ -44,13 +45,13 @@
 TEST(BalsaHeadersSequenceTest, Clear) {
   BalsaHeadersSequence sequence;
 
-  BalsaHeaders headers_one;
-  headers_one.AppendHeader("one", "fish");
+  auto headers_one = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_one->AppendHeader("one", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_one));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
 
-  BalsaHeaders headers_two;
-  headers_two.AppendHeader("two", "fish");
+  auto headers_two = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_two->AppendHeader("two", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_two));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
 
@@ -63,8 +64,8 @@
   BalsaHeadersSequence sequence;
   EXPECT_EQ(sequence.PeekNext(), nullptr);
 
-  BalsaHeaders headers_one;
-  headers_one.AppendHeader("one", "fish");
+  auto headers_one = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_one->AppendHeader("one", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_one));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
 
@@ -77,8 +78,8 @@
   EXPECT_EQ(sequence.PeekNext(), headers);
 
   // Adding more headers should not matter for peeking.
-  BalsaHeaders headers_two;
-  headers_two.AppendHeader("two", "fish");
+  auto headers_two = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers_two->AppendHeader("two", "fish");
   sequence.Append(std::move(headers_two));
   EXPECT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
   EXPECT_EQ(sequence.PeekNext(), headers);
@@ -101,6 +102,21 @@
   EXPECT_EQ(sequence.PeekNext(), nullptr);
 }
 
+TEST(BalsaHeadersSequenceTest, CanRetainValidReference) {
+  BalsaHeadersSequence sequence;
+
+  auto headers = std::make_unique<BalsaHeaders>();
+  headers->AppendHeader("one", "fish");
+
+  // This reference should still be valid, even after transferring ownership to
+  // the sequence.
+  BalsaHeaders* headers_ptr = headers.get();
+
+  sequence.Append(std::move(headers));
+  ASSERT_TRUE(sequence.HasNext());
+  EXPECT_EQ(sequence.Next(), headers_ptr);
+}
+
 }  // namespace
 }  // namespace test
 }  // namespace quiche
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/balsa_visitor_interface.h b/quiche/balsa/balsa_visitor_interface.h
index e2c4327..89355f3 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/balsa_visitor_interface.h
+++ b/quiche/balsa/balsa_visitor_interface.h
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #define QUICHE_BALSA_BALSA_VISITOR_INTERFACE_H_
 
 #include <cstddef>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "absl/strings/string_view.h"
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_enums.h"
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@
   // Arguments:
   //   headers - contains the parsed headers in the order in which they occurred
   //             in the interim response.
-  virtual void OnInterimHeaders(BalsaHeaders headers) = 0;
+  virtual void OnInterimHeaders(std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders> headers) = 0;
 
   // Summary:
   //   Called when the 100 Continue headers are framed and processed. This
diff --git a/quiche/balsa/noop_balsa_visitor.h b/quiche/balsa/noop_balsa_visitor.h
index ce82d58..5645070 100644
--- a/quiche/balsa/noop_balsa_visitor.h
+++ b/quiche/balsa/noop_balsa_visitor.h
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #define QUICHE_BALSA_NOOP_BALSA_VISITOR_H_
 
 #include <cstddef>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "absl/strings/string_view.h"
 #include "quiche/balsa/balsa_visitor_interface.h"
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@
                                 absl::string_view /*reason_input*/) override {}
   void OnChunkLength(size_t /*chunk_length*/) override {}
   void OnChunkExtensionInput(absl::string_view /*input*/) override {}
-  void OnInterimHeaders(BalsaHeaders /*headers*/) override {}
+  void OnInterimHeaders(std::unique_ptr<BalsaHeaders> /*headers*/) override {}
   void ContinueHeaderDone() override {}
   void HeaderDone() override {}
   void MessageDone() override {}