How to Get Your Child's Credit Report

It’s a good idea to check your child’s credit report every few years for signs of identity theft.

To do this, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – in writing. (If your child is under 13 years of age, you cannot access his or her credit report online due to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.)

Send the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested. Make a note of the date you sent the letter, and when you received a response. You’ll need to include documentation that proves you are the parent, such as a photocopy of a driver’s license.

The credit bureaus do no knowingly keep credit reports on persons younger than 13 years old. The best case scenario when you request your minor’s credit report is to be told by the bureaus that they have nothing on file for your child.

Your child can request his or her own credit report online if they are at least 14 years of age. For bureau-specific instructions, visit each of the agency’s websites. Since each bureau holds different information, it’s important to get credit reports from all three bureaus for the most comprehensive scan of your child’s credit.

Ordering Information for Each Credit Bureau

For Experian, you’ll need to print and fill out this form and include the requested documentation.
Send your request to:
Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion offers an online form to inquire about your child’s credit.

Equifax has no online form to fill out, but you can write to them including the information and documents mentioned above.
Equifax Minor Child Department
P.O. Box 105139
Atlanta, Georgia 30348

For more ways to protect your child from fraud, read 7 Steps to Prevent Child Identity Theft.