How To Report A Death To Experian

Report the decedent's death to Experian whenever the person had any credit activity, open accounts, or a credit score. If the decedent never opened a credit file, never earned a credit score, and left no joint obligations, reporting is optional but may still be worthwhile to create a formal record and deter fraud. You'll need a death certificate before you can file, and once you decide to report, the next step is to gather the documents you'll need.

You'll need four core documents before contacting Experian.

• Certified death certificate (original or notarized copy) proving the decedent's passing.
• Government‑issued photo ID of the decedent (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to match the credit file.
• Legal authority to act on the decedent's behalf (letters testamentary, probate court order, or power‑of‑attorney).
• Recent account statements or a copy of the decedent's latest credit‑report showing active lines.

After you have the decedent's death certificate and any executor identification, choose one of these three notification methods:

1. Mail a certified letter - Write a brief letter stating the decedent's full name, Social Security number, and that you are notifying Experian of the death. Attach a clear photocopy of the death certificate and a copy of your executor or personal representative ID. Send the package via certified mail with return receipt to Experian's address listed on their death‑reporting page.
2. Call Experian's dedicated line - Dial the Experian death reporting phone number (1‑888‑397‑3742). When the representative asks, provide the decedent's name, SSN, and the date of death. Have a scanned copy of the death certificate ready; you may be asked to fax or email it during the call. Note the reference number they give you for future follow‑up.
3. Submit online through the secure portal - Log into Experian's online portal for death notices (accessible from the 'Report a Death' link on their website). Upload a PDF of the death certificate and any required ID, then fill out the short form with the decedent's personal details. Submit and keep the confirmation email as proof of reporting.

Each method accomplishes the same result; pick the one that fits your timeline and comfort level.

Experian receives death notifications by phone at 1‑800‑397‑3742; when the representative asks for the reason, say: 'I'm calling to report the death of my decedent and need the credit file flagged.' Then follow this concise script:

1. Identify yourself (full name, address, and phone).
2. State your relationship to the decedent (e.g., executor, surviving spouse).
3. Provide the decedent's Social Security number and date of birth.
4. Confirm you have a death certificate and ask how to submit it (fax, mail, or upload).
5. Request a confirmation number and the expected date the file will be updated.
6. Thank the agent and note the representative's name for your records.

After the call, Experian typically flags the file within 30‑90 days; you'll receive a written acknowledgment (often via email) confirming the update. The next section explains the exact timeline you can expect and how to verify the changes on the decedent's credit report. Experian's death reporting phone line

Experian usually flags a reported death within 30 days, but the complete credit‑report update may stretch to 90 days depending on how you notified them.

• Online portal (see the Experian death‑notification page): flag appears in 24‑48 hours; full report refresh typically finishes in 30‑45 days.
• Phone call (using the script from the previous section): initial flag registers in 2‑3 business days; complete update generally takes 30‑60 days.
• Mail (death certificate and required forms): receipt takes 5‑10 business days; full flag and report changes may require 45‑90 days.

After the update period, proceed to 'check what changes on the decedent's credit report.'

After Experian records the death notice, the decedent's credit report reflects several distinct updates that signal the file is closed to new activity.

• 'Deceased' flag added - the header now reads 'Deceased' or 'Deceased - Not for Credit' next to the name.
• All existing accounts show 'Closed - Deceased' - balances remain but the status prevents further borrowing.
• No new inquiries accepted - any attempt to pull the report will be denied with a 'Report marked as deceased' response.
• Collections and charge‑offs stay listed - they are not removed, but they are no longer eligible for new collection actions.
• Credit score is suppressed - Experian typically replaces the numerical score with 'N/A' to avoid misleading lenders.

These changes let you verify that Experian has applied the death update correctly before moving on to disputing any lingering errors in the next section.

If Experian's update lists inaccurate data, dispute it immediately.

1. Open the latest decedent credit report (the one you received in the 'expect this timeline' section). Highlight any balances, account statuses, or personal details that don't match the death certificate or creditors' records.
2. Gather proof for each disputed item: a copy of the death certificate, the final statement showing a zero balance, a letter from the creditor confirming closure, or any court order. Keep originals safe; only send copies.
3. Choose a dispute channel. The online portal (Experian Dispute Center) resolves most cases within days, while certified mail provides a paper trail; you can also use the phone script from the 'use this phone script' section.
4. Submit the dispute. Enter the decedent's full name, Social Security number, and a brief description of the error. Attach the supporting copies and explicitly request correction or removal.
5. Record the case ID or mailing receipt. Experian must investigate within 30 days; monitor the status through the portal or a follow‑up call using the script.
6. Evaluate the outcome. If the entry remains unchanged, file a reinvestigation request with additional evidence, or escalate to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Once the report reflects accurate information, you can proceed to 'manage joint accounts and cosigners' obligations.'

Joint accounts and cosigners remain on the decedent's Experian credit file until each creditor updates the record with a death notice. Provide the death certificate and request that the account be marked 'deceased' to stop new activity and prevent the balance from affecting the decedent's score.

Contact every lender that holds a joint or cosigned account, send a copy of the death certificate, and ask for written confirmation that the account will be closed, transferred, or re‑characterized as the decedent's sole responsibility. Ask the creditor to submit the update to Experian within the standard 30‑90 day window.

Cosigners keep full liability for any outstanding balance unless the creditor closes the account; they should monitor their own credit, consider a probate court order to release them, and keep records of all communications. This preparation helps when you move on to stop post‑death identity theft and fraud attempts.

Place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on the decedent's file as soon as Experian confirms the death. Call Experian (or use the online portal) and provide a copy of the death certificate; the same document works for Equifax and TransUnion. A fraud alert lasts 90 days and warns lenders to verify identity, while a freeze permanently blocks new credit until you lift it with the same proof.

After the alert or freeze is in place, regularly review the decedent's credit reports for unauthorized inquiries or accounts. Notify any creditor that reported a new account after the death, and file a report with the FTC's identity‑theft portal if you spot fraud. Setting up automated email notifications from Experian helps catch suspicious activity quickly.

You can report the decedent's death to Experian even if you don't yet have a death certificate.

Definition:

Experian accepts alternative proof such as a funeral director's signed statement, a coroner's report, or an executor's affidavit that confirms the decedent's death. Include a brief cover letter explaining why the death certificate is unavailable and attach a copy of your identification and any legal authority you hold (e.g., power of attorney, letters testamentary). Follow the same three notification methods described earlier - mail, fax, or the online portal - and label the package 'No Death Certificate' so the processing team knows to review the alternate documents.

Examples:

A family receives a funeral director's statement two weeks after the decedent's passing because the local registrar issues certificates after a 30‑day waiting period; they fax the statement, the cover letter, and their executor paperwork to Experian and receive a confirmation of receipt. Another case involves a veteran whose military death notice arrives before the civil certificate; the executor submits the notice, a notarized affidavit, and their own ID, and Experian updates the credit file within the standard 30‑90‑day window.

Report a death that happened abroad by calling Experian at 1‑800‑769‑3941, confirming you are the executor, administrator, or a POA that expressly covers credit matters, and providing the decedent's name, Social Security number, date of death, and that the death occurred overseas;

then mail copies of the foreign death certificate (with a certified English translation and any required apostille or consular legalization), the court‑issued letters appointing you as executor or administrator (or the qualifying POA), and a brief cover letter restating the decedent's details to Experian Information Services, P.O. Box 1500, Allen, TX 75013 - no fax or online portal is used, and Experian typically processes the update within 30‑90 days as outlined in the timeline section.