How Long Does TransUnion Dispute Take?

TransUnion usually finishes a dispute investigation within  30 days, but the Fair Credit Reporting Act permits it to extend the review to 45 days when additional information is required.

If TransUnion requests more evidence, the clock may reset, pushing the total time toward the upper 45‑day limit - a point we explore in the 'If TransUnion asks for more evidence' section. For a deeper dive on the legal baseline, see the FCRA 30‑45‑day investigation rule.

The 30‑to‑45‑day federal rule you need to know is that the Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates TransUnion to finish its investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute, and it may extend to 45 days if you provide supplemental documentation. This baseline timing frames the timelines discussed earlier and sets the stage for the online‑vs‑mail comparison in the next section.

Submitting a dispute online usually shortens the overall timing compared with mailing a paper dispute.

Online disputes enter TransUnion's system instantly; the investigation can start within one business day and often concludes near the lower end of the 30‑45 day FCRA window. The portal confirms receipt, tracks status in real time, and eliminates postal delays, so most users see results around day 30.

Mail disputes require physical delivery, scanning, and manual entry, which adds 3‑7 business days before the investigation begins. After the letter reaches TransUnion, the same 30‑45 day window applies, but the extra processing time often pushes resolution closer to day 45.

(See the upcoming '5 common factors slowing TransUnion investigations' for additional timing influences.)

Several factors routinely stretch the 30‑45 day FCRA window for a TransUnion investigation. Understanding them helps you anticipate delays and act proactively.

• TransUnion must verify the disputed item with the original creditor, and a slow creditor response can add weeks.
• High claim volume after major reporting deadlines creates processing backlogs that may extend the timeline.
• Incomplete or ambiguous consumer documentation forces TransUnion to request additional evidence, delaying resolution.
• Ongoing disputes with a third‑party data furnisher must be settled before the bureau can close its investigation.
• Regulatory or legal holds, such as bankruptcy filings or identity‑theft alerts, temporarily pause the investigation.

Three real users illustrate how TransUnion's investigation window can play out in practice.

• User 1 - Online dispute, clean record: Submitted an online dispute on day 0, received a completed investigation on day 12. The quick turnaround shows that when the item is already documented and no additional proof is needed, TransUnion often resolves well before the 30‑45 day federal window.
• User 2 - Mail‑in dispute, missing document: Mailed a dispute on day 0, uploaded a supplemental utility bill after the first request, and got a final update on day 38. This timeline aligns with the upper end of the FCRA's 30‑45 day range and highlights how incomplete submissions can push a case toward the maximum deadline.
• User 3 - Online dispute, extra evidence request: Filed online on day 0, received a 'need more information' notice on day 22, provided the requested bank statements, and saw the investigation close on day 52. The extended period demonstrates that a request for additional evidence can push the process beyond the statutory 45 days.

These snapshots reveal why some disputes finish in under two weeks while others stretch past the 45‑day mark, setting the stage for strategies to speed up your TransUnion dispute.

You can shave days off a TransUnion dispute by using the fastest filing methods and keeping the file complete.

1. File online through TransUnion's secure portal; the system logs your dispute instantly, eliminating mailing delays discussed in the 'online dispute versus mail' section.
2. Attach clear, certified copies of every document in the same upload; precise evidence lets the investigation start without back‑and‑forth requests.
3. Verify receipt in the portal's status tab within 24‑48 hours; if the status stays 'pending,' call the help line to confirm they have the file.
4. Mirror the online submission in a single cover letter if you must mail it, and send it via certified mail with return receipt; this prevents the duplicate‑processing issue that slows investigations.
5. Respond to any 'request for more evidence' within five business days; the 30‑45 day FCRA clock pauses only while TransUnion reviews, not while you wait.
6. Add a concise comment summarizing the error and the supporting documents; a focused note nudges the analyst toward a quicker decision.
7. Check the portal after 15 days and send a brief 'status check' message; a polite reminder often moves the case ahead of the default timeline.
8. Keep all correspondence in one thread - online messages, mailed letters, and emailed PDFs - so the investigation never stalls searching for missing pieces.

When TransUnion requests additional evidence, send the required documentation within 30 days of the notice. Upload PDFs through the online portal or mail copies by certified mail with a return receipt; include the dispute reference number and keep a dated copy for your records.

Missing the 30‑day deadline means TransUnion will likely finish the investigation without considering your new evidence, leaving the original entry unchanged. You may reopen a dispute later, but you'll need to explain the delay and submit the documents again.

If TransUnion doesn't finish the investigation within the 45‑day FCRA window, the item remains listed as disputed and the bureau must mark the investigation as incomplete.

You can then file a complaint with the CFPB, request a fresh investigation, or add a brief statement of dispute to your credit file.

These escalation steps often clear the hold‑up, especially when the delay ties into the unusual circumstances discussed next.

Identity theft or a bankruptcy filing can push a TransUnion dispute past the typical 30‑45‑day investigation window because the bureau must verify fraud alerts, court records, or accounts linked to legal proceedings.

Common triggers of these delays are fraud‑alert verification that requires extra documentation, bankruptcy docket retrieval that may take weeks, disputed accounts tied to a Chapter 7 discharge that need confirmation, and compromised personal data that forces TransUnion to run additional security checks.

Coordinate disputes by submitting the same dispute to TransUnion, Equifax and Experian at the same time. Use the exact wording, attach identical supporting documents, and tag each filing with a personal case reference so you can compare outcomes.

• track each bureau's 30‑45 day investigation deadline in a single spreadsheet,
• avoid re‑creating letters or gathering new evidence for every bureau,
• notice early resolutions and adjust expectations for the slower bureaus.

Since the federal FCRA mandates a 30‑45 day investigation period, you'll know by the end of that window whether any bureau still reports the item. If a bureau asks for more proof, see the 'If TransUnion asks for more evidence' section before proceeding.