How To Get Your Annual Equifax Credit Report?

One free Equifax credit report is legally required every 12 months, and since 2023 you can also obtain a free weekly Equifax credit report online. Pull at least once a year; use the weekly option whenever you suspect fraud or need tighter oversight.

Most consumers find a semi‑annual check sufficient for early error detection and credit‑score awareness. If you've just applied for a loan, notice suspicious activity, or have a security freeze, grab the weekly report until the issue clears, then revert to the twice‑yearly rhythm before moving on to the ID‑document requirements section.

You need a government‑issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and a recent proof‑of‑address document to verify your identity for an Equifax credit report.

• A valid driver's license, state ID card, or passport showing a clear photo and your full name
• Your Social Security number printed on the card or provided from a recent tax document
• A utility bill, bank statement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 30 days that lists your name and current address
• If you lack a Social Security number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a foreign passport with a U.S. visa can be used as an alternative ID
• For mailed requests, include a notarized signature or a copy of a government‑issued document that confirms your residence, such as a lease agreement

For detailed verification instructions, see the Equifax identity verification guide.

You can download your free Equifax credit report right now at AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law guarantees one free report each year, and the site currently lets you request a new one every week at no cost.

1. Open Free annual Equifax credit report in any browser.
2. Click 'Request your credit reports' and create a secure account with your email and a strong password.
3. Answer the identity‑verification questions (address history, loan amounts, etc.) as accurately as possible.
4. When the dashboard appears, select 'Equifax' and choose the 'View' or 'Download PDF' option.
5. Save the file to a trusted folder or print it for your records; the report is yours to keep for 30 days.

Proceed to the next section to learn how to request the same report directly on Equifax.com.

You can pull your Equifax credit report online at Equifax.com by completing a brief verification flow.

Visit the Equifax credit report request page, then:

• Click 'Get My Credit Report.'
• Create a free account using your email and a password.
• Enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address.
• Answer the personal‑information questions that Equifax uses to confirm your identity (the same details you listed in the 'ID documents you'll need' section).
• Choose the free‑trial option if you qualify; otherwise, confirm the $10 fee for a one‑time report.
• View the report on screen and download a PDF copy for your records.

Now that you have the PDF, the next section explains how to request the same report by mail, which some users prefer for added paper‑trail security.

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Mail a clear, typed request for your free annual Equifax credit report and attach every identifier Equifax requires.

• Full legal name as it appears on your credit file
• Current mailing address (must match the address on file with Equifax)
• Date of birth
• Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• Driver's license or state ID number plus issuing state
• Copy of a government‑issued photo ID (photo side only)
• Copy of a recent utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing the same address
• Brief statement requesting the free annual Equifax credit report
• Self‑addressed stamped envelope for the return of your report

You can obtain your Equifax credit report while a security freeze is active by requesting a temporary lift. Log in to your Equifax account or call 1‑800‑685‑1111, provide the PIN or password you created when you froze your file, and specify a lift duration (usually 24 hours); the agency then unfreezes just enough to release the report, and you receive it at no cost.

Once the Equifax credit report is in hand, proceed to the 'what to check in your Equifax credit report' section for a checklist; if you need to retrieve or reset your PIN, follow the steps outlined in the earlier 'ID documents you'll need to verify your identity' guide. For detailed instructions on lifting a freeze, see how to lift an Equifax security freeze.

If you're new to the U.S. and don't have an SSN, you can still request your Equifax credit report by using an ITIN or by providing alternative proof of identity.

The federal free‑credit‑report law lets anyone access their Equifax credit report weekly through AnnualCreditReport.com. Enter an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you have one; the site accepts it in place of an SSN. If you lack an ITN, submit a written request to Equifax that includes two government‑issued IDs (passport, foreign driver's license), plus recent utility bills or bank statements showing your U.S. address. Attach a signed statement explaining you have no SSN. Equifax may request additional documentation, but once verified they will email or mail your report within 10‑14 business days.

For example, Maria, a recent student visa holder, used her ITIN to pull the report instantly online. John, who arrived without any U.S. identification, mailed his passport, a utility bill, and a notarized affidavit; Equifax confirmed his identity and mailed the report two weeks later.

Your Equifax credit report is a snapshot of everything lenders see; scan it for these six red‑flags before you move on.

• Personal identification - name, Social Security number, date of birth, current and previous addresses; any typo can trigger a mix‑up.
• Account details - every credit card, loan or mortgage, with open/closed status, balance, credit limit and payment history; look for accounts you never opened.
• Hard inquiries - list of businesses that pulled your report, date of each pull; verify they match recent credit applications.
• Public records - bankruptcies, tax liens or civil judgments; ensure dates and amounts are accurate.
• Derogatory items - collections, charge‑offs, late‑payment flags; confirm they belong to you and are not outdated.
• Duplicate or erroneous entries - same account appearing twice or reporting an incorrect balance; these inflate your utilization ratio.

For a deeper walk‑through, see the Consumer Finance Guide to credit reports.

Dispute any mistake on your Equifax credit report by filing a clear, documented request and following the investigation timeline.

1. Identify the inaccurate entry. Write down the creditor's name, account number, reporting date, and why the information is wrong. (See the 'what to check in your Equifax report' section for tips on spotting errors.)
2. Gather proof. Collect recent statements, payment receipts, or letters that show the correct information. Keep originals safe; submit clear photocopies.
3. Submit the dispute. Use the Equifax online dispute portal for fastest processing, or mail a letter that includes your full name, address, Social Security number, report date, the item in dispute, the reason, and copies of supporting documents.
4. If mailing, send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt and retain the tracking number. This creates a paper trail.
5. Wait for the investigation. Equifax must respond within 30 days (45 days if the report came by phone). They will contact the data furnisher and review your evidence.
6. Review the outcome. If the entry is corrected, request an updated Equifax credit report. If the dispute is denied, add a brief statement of your position to the file.
7. File all correspondence. Store letters, emails, and investigation notices in a dedicated folder; you'll need them if you later encounter identity theft (covered in the next section).

Here are three real borrowers who moved their TransUnion mortgage score and the loan terms they secured:

• Sarah, 34, single mom - Started at 620, paid down a $5,000 credit‑card balance and added utility‑bill reporting. Score climbed to 680, letting her lock a 30‑year fixed at 4.125% instead of the 4.75% she'd been quoted before.
• Mark & Lisa, 42, married - Had 710, discovered a misreported collection on their report. After filing a dispute and getting the item removed, their score rose to 750, resulting in a 15‑year fixed at 3.875% - a full 0.5% lower than the rate offered at 710.
• Carlos, 29, self‑employed - Scored 640, built six months of alternative credit by reporting rent and phone payments through a third‑party platform. Score increased to 695, qualifying him for a 20‑year loan at 4.0% versus the 4.5% he'd face with the lower score.

For more detail on how these score changes affect lender decisions, see the TransUnion mortgage score overview.

Save and secure your Equifax credit report by keeping a dated digital copy and a protected paper version.

Download the PDF as soon as you receive it, rename it with the download date, and place it in a password‑protected folder or a reputable encrypted cloud service such as a zero‑knowledge storage provider.

Print a single copy, store it in a fire‑proof safe or lockbox, and shred any scrap paper; never email the report without encryption. Enable login alerts on your Equifax account so you know immediately if someone accesses the file.