How to Freeze a Minor's Credit on Equifax?

Freezing a child's Equifax credit stops thieves from opening new accounts in their name, lets parents protect a clean credit history from the start, and costs nothing. The freeze blocks most new inquiries while still allowing you to monitor existing activity, and you can lift it later for legitimate checks such as scholarships or employment. Equifax credit freeze details the process, and the next sections show the exact documents you'll need and how to place the freeze.

• A notarized 'Minor Credit Freeze Request' form signed by the parent or legal guardian (see Equifax's official child credit freeze form)
• A clear copy of the child's Social Security card or an SSA‑issued verification letter
• The child's original or certified birth certificate (or other government‑issued proof of identity)
• A government‑issued photo ID for the parent/guardian, such as a driver's license or passport
• A notarized signature page if the request form itself isn't notarized

You can freeze your child's Equifax credit by phone, online, or mail, whichever fits your schedule.

Phone and online submissions give instant confirmation. Call 1‑800‑685‑1111 (select option 2 for child freezes) or visit Equifax's credit‑freeze portal. Have the child's Social Security number, birth date, and a parent‑or‑guardian government ID ready; the system validates the data and locks the file within minutes.

Mailing the request adds paperwork but works for parents who prefer paper trails. Print the freeze form, attach a certified‑mail copy of your ID, the child's birth certificate, and a utility bill showing your address. Send everything to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348. Processing takes 7‑10 business days, after which Equifax mails a confirmation letter.

Place the child's Equifax credit freeze by completing these six steps.

1. Gather required paperwork - child's birth certificate, Social Security number, and a recent utility bill; plus your driver's license or passport and a copy of your own Social Security card.
2. Pick your submission channel - use the phone line (1‑800‑349‑9960), the online Equifax credit freeze portal, or mail a signed request to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.
3. Enter the child's personal data - full name, SSN, date of birth, current address, and the same details for yourself (parent or legal guardian).
4. Attach identification copies - upload or enclose the documents from step 1; the agency uses them to verify ownership.
5. Receive the freeze PIN and password - online requests deliver them instantly; mailed requests arrive within 3‑5 business days.
6. Record and safeguard the credentials - store the PIN, password, and confirmation number in a safe place; log into the portal or call to confirm the freeze is active.

Equifax sends a confirmation number and the effective date as soon as it processes your child's Equifax credit freeze; keep that PIN, the freeze‑effective date, and any receipt (email, fax, or mailed letter) together in a safe, easily reachable spot.

To double‑check the freeze, log into the Equifax credit freeze portal or call the toll‑free line with the PIN; the system will display the current status, letting you verify that the freeze is active before moving on to the next steps.

Yes, you can freeze your child's TransUnion and Experian credit, and doing so adds a layer of protection once the child has an SSN. The child's Equifax credit freeze you set up earlier works only with Equifax; each bureau requires its own request, PIN, and paperwork.

• Same SSN, separate forms - TransUnion and Experian each ask for the child's Social Security number, your ID, and proof of relationship.
• Uniform protection - Freezing all three bureaus blocks any lender from pulling a report, making identity theft harder.
• Cost and timing - TransUnion and Experian may charge a small fee (often $5‑$10) and process the freeze within 24‑48 hours after receipt.
• Keep the PINs safe - Each freeze generates a unique PIN; you'll need it to lift or remove a freeze later.
• When it's optional - If the child does not yet have an SSN, a freeze at TransUnion or Experian is not possible; the child's Equifax credit freeze remains the only viable safeguard.

For detailed filing steps, see the TransUnion credit freeze process and the Experian equivalent.

Avoid common parent mistakes when freezing a child's Equifax credit by knowing the top pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

• Submit the child's Social Security number without the official birth certificate, causing Equifax to reject the request.
• Use the adult‑only online portal or wrong mailing address, which adds unnecessary processing time.
• Omit the parent's government‑issued ID and proof of relationship, preventing Equifax from verifying authority.
• Assume a single Equifax freeze protects the child everywhere; you must repeat the process with TransUnion and Experian if you want full coverage.
• Forget to save the confirmation PIN or password, making it impossible to lift or remove the freeze later.
• Delay follow‑up beyond three business days, allowing a fraudster to act before the freeze becomes effective.

Either custodial parent or legal guardian can place a child's Equifax credit freeze on their own; a joint request or a court‑ordered custody agreement is not required. Submit the child's Social Security Number, the parent's government‑issued ID, the child's birth certificate, and a notarized request (or the signed online form) directly to Equifax.

All required paperwork was covered in the 'get the exact documents Equifax requires for child freezes' section, so you can simply use those files.

When both parents share custody, each can file a separate freeze using their own ID. The freeze remains active until every request is lifted, so coordinate to avoid one parent unintentionally unfreezing the file. For detailed steps on how to lift or modify the freeze later, see the next section on protecting a newborn before they get an SSN. Equifax credit‑freeze instructions

Protect a newborn before they get an SSN by placing a child's Equifax credit freeze (or fraud alert) using the birth certificate and basic identifying information. The freeze blocks anyone from opening credit in the child's name until you lift it, giving you control the moment the SSN arrives.

For example, order the official birth certificate, then call Equifax at 1‑800‑685‑1111 and say you want to protect a child before an SSN is issued. Provide the child's full name, date of birth, and your current address, and mail a copy of the birth certificate as instructed. Equifax will issue a freeze confirmation number; keep it with other vital records. When the SSN is mailed, call or log in to add it to the existing freeze file so the protection stays uninterrupted.

This pre‑emptive step readies you for the detailed 'place your child's Equifax credit freeze in 6 steps' section that follows, and ensures the child's credit stays secure until you choose to lift the freeze.

Lift the child's Equifax credit freeze by using the PIN or password you received when you placed the freeze.

1. Gather the freeze PIN or password and your child's Social Security number.
2. Choose a method:
   • Online - log in at Equifax's freeze portal and select 'Lift Freeze.'
   • Phone - call 1‑800‑349‑9960, provide the PIN, and state the exact dates you need the credit report.
   • Mail - write a request on plain paper, include the PIN, child's name, SSN, and the lift dates, then send it to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105212, Atlanta, GA 30348.
3. Specify a temporary lift window (e.g., March 1 - March 15) or a single‑day lift for a specific creditor.
4. Submit any required ID copy if you use mail; online and phone requests do not need additional documents.
5. Receive confirmation: online or phone lifts are active within minutes; mailed requests take 1 - 3 business days.
6. After the window expires, the child's Equifax credit freeze automatically reinstates. If you need a permanent lift, repeat the steps without setting an end date.

If fraud appears on your child's Equifax credit report despite a freeze, act immediately.

• Call Equifax's fraud line (1‑800‑525‑6285) and request a fraud alert; the alert stays on the file for 90 days.
• File a dispute for each erroneous entry through the online portal or by certified mail; include copies of the police report and identity‑theft affidavit.
• Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and keep the confirmation number.
• Notify the creditor or lender that generated the fraudulent account; demand removal and closure.
• Place a credit lock on the child's other bureaus (TransUnion, Experian) if you have not already, using the same documentation from earlier sections.
• Enroll in a free credit‑monitoring service that tracks all three bureaus and sends real‑time alerts.

These steps stop the current fraud, protect the child's credit moving forward, and give you documentation for any future disputes.