How To Change Personal Information on Your Credit Report
Your personal information, like your phone number and address, has zero impact on your credit score. This information is typically updated with credit bureaus organically as you update it with your creditors. But in rare instances, you may need to update certain personal information with the credit bureaus directly. You can do this through the dispute process.
- Most personal information will automatically update on your credit report when you update it with a creditor, like your credit card or mortgage company.
- One of the only times you’re required to update your personal information with the credit bureaus directly is if your first and/or middle name changes.
- Personal information is typically updated within 30 days of filing of a dispute.
What information can be changed without filing a dispute?
Most of the time, you don’t actually need to do anything to change your personal information with the credit bureaus. Instead, if you need to update your address or last name, simply do so with your creditors. Then when they make their monthly report, they’ll update the credit bureaus for you.
The same applies to details like your phone number or employer, though these details are typically only updated when you apply for a new credit account. If you don’t want to go through your creditor, you are allowed to file a dispute with the credit bureau to update the information directly, but you generally should update it with your creditors, anyways.
What personal information changes require a dispute?
If you’re getting married or divorced, your last name may change. Under these circumstances, you don’t typically need to notify the credit bureaus of the name change. Just let your creditors know.
However, if you’re changing your first and/or middle name, you will need to update it with the credit bureaus directly by filing a dispute.
Prior to reaching out to the credit bureaus, ensure you have all the legal paperwork from your local courts documenting your new name or another legal document showing the name change. The credit bureaus will ask for these documents.
How to update your information with Equifax
Whether you’re updating personal information on your credit report voluntarily or doing it because you have to for a first or middle name change, you can start the process for Equifax by visiting the Dispute Center.
- On your profile, click on the information you’d like to update.
- Next, you’ll provide documentation proving whatever you’d like to change.
- Review your dispute and submit.
How to update your information with Transunion
TransUnion makes things a little more complicated. How you go about updating your personal information depends on which information you want to update.
- To delete a phone number, old address or old employer, you’ll need to start a dispute via TransUnion’s service center. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one. From there, you’ll have the option to update your personal data.
- To update a new address, call TransUnion or mail in two documents proving your new address.
- To change your name, date of birth or Social Security number, you will need to mail in supporting documentation.
How to update your information with Experian
You can update your personal data by mail or initiate the process over the phone with Experian. In fact, this is the method you must use when updating your address or name. For other personal information updates, using the online Dispute Center may be an easier process:
- Log in and select ‘Start a new dispute.’
- Select the section of your credit report you want to dispute or update.
- Select the exact item in that section which you want to update.
- Select the reason for your dispute from the drop-down menu.
- Upload copies of the appropriate documents.
- Review your dispute, then submit.
Depending on which personal information you’re updating, you may need to provide:
- Court documents approving your legal name change
- Driver’s license or state ID
- Social Security card
- Paystub, W2 or 1099
- Updated birth certificate
- Updated passport
- Marriage certificate or divorce decree
- Utility bill
How long does it take to get your credit reports updated?
Technically, your credit report is always eligible for revision. It may be updated several times per month depending on when your various creditors report to the credit bureaus. In the context of personal information changes reported directly to the credit bureaus, these are typically handled within 30 days of the filing of your dispute. It may take longer if the bureau needs more time to verify the information you submitted or if you need to provide further supporting documentation.
The amount of time it takes to actually sit down and file the dispute in the first place can vary. If you’re filing a dispute online, it may take as little as ten minutes. But if you’re submitting a dispute which requires you to mail in documents, you’ll have to add the time it takes for the credit bureau to receive and process the mail to your 30-day window.
How to dispute debts on your credit report
The first step to disputing a debt on your credit report is to make sure it’s inaccurate. That’s because negative items that are accurate won’t be permanently removed just because you dispute them, and filing a dispute on a debt can be a labor-intensive process.
Once you ensure the debt is inaccurate, here’s how you can file a dispute with each credit bureau:
- Log into the bureau’s online dispute portal.
- Flag the inaccurate line item.
- Upload documentation that supports the inaccuracy of the debt.
- Click to finalize your dispute.
- Wait 30 days for the credit bureau’s response.
- If you don’t like the response, you can either file the dispute anew with further supporting documentation or request that a 100-word consumer statement be attached to your credit report, outlining your disagreement with the inaccurate line item.
- If the correction is made, you can request that the credit bureaus mail out the correction to anyone who has requested your credit report in the past six months and to employers who requested your credit report over the past two years.
You could also engage in this process by snail mail. If you do, keep a copy of the letters you send for your own records and remember to mail certified with return receipt.
Frequently asked questions
No, changing your address does not affect your credit score. You can check your credit score for free using LendingTree Spring.
Yes, you can remove old addresses from your credit report, but it’s not mandatory that you do so.
No, changing your name does not affect your credit score. However, if you change your first or middle name, you should let the credit bureaus know so you do not have trouble applying for credit in the future.
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