How to Unfreeze TransUnion Credit

You can confirm a TransUnion credit freeze instantly online, by phone, or through your free credit report.

1. Visit the TransUnion credit freeze status page. Log in with your TransUnion PIN; the dashboard will show 'Frozen' or 'Active.'
2. Call TransUnion's automated line (1‑800‑888‑9655). Provide your name, SSN, and TransUnion PIN; the system reports the current status within 1‑3 business days.
3. Request a free TransUnion credit report. The report header notes whether a freeze is in place; you'll receive it within 24 hours if you opt for online delivery.
4. Check any mail from TransUnion. Freeze confirmations or lift notices include the status and your TransUnion PIN.

If you locate a freeze, proceed to the next section to lift the freeze using your TransUnion PIN. If you cannot find your PIN, refer to 'Recover your lost TransUnion PIN' before attempting to unfreeze.

• Gather a government‑issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) before you start to lift the freeze.
• Locate your TransUnion PIN in the freeze confirmation letter, the email you received, or on the TransUnion credit freeze FAQ page.
• If the PIN is missing, remember the next section covers how to recover your TransUnion PIN.
• Keep the ID and TransUnion PIN together; you'll need both to unfreeze your credit.

If you've misplaced your TransUnion PIN, retrieve it online or by phone. Online recovery gives an immediate TransUnion PIN; phone requests typically take 1‑3 business days.

Log into the TransUnion PIN recovery page, enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your driver's license, then answer the security questions.

If you prefer the phone route, call 1‑888‑909‑8872, verify your identity with the same information, and a representative will mail or email a new TransUnion PIN. Once you have it, you can lift the freeze, unfreeze your credit, or keep the TransUnion credit freeze in place until you're ready.

Log into TransUnion's online portal to lift the freeze instantly. You'll need your TransUnion PIN and a valid email address; the process usually completes in minutes.

1. Go to the TransUnion credit freeze portal.
2. Sign in with your SSN, birthdate, and password, or create a new account if you haven't logged in before.
3. Click 'Lift Freeze,' then type your TransUnion PIN.
4. Choose 'Permanent' to unfreeze fully, or select 'Temporary' and set start/end dates for a limited unfreeze.
5. Review the details and confirm; the system updates your credit file immediately.
6. Save the on‑screen confirmation or email receipt before proceeding to the phone‑based lift method if you encounter any problems.

Call TransUnion to lift the freeze on your credit report.

When you dial the TransUnion credit freeze phone line, a representative will ask for your TransUnion PIN and personal details to verify identity. After verification they process the request, which typically takes 1 - 3 business days to fully unfreeze the file.

• Call 1‑800‑680‑7289 (Monday‑Friday, 8 a.m.‑8 p.m. ET).
• Provide your TransUnion PIN, full name, address, and date of birth.
• Specify whether you want to lift the freeze permanently or for a set period.
• Ask for a confirmation number; the representative will state the expected completion date.

Once the call ends you'll receive a written confirmation by mail or email, and the freeze will be lifted within the quoted time frame. The next step is deciding if you need a temporary thaw for a single creditor, which we cover in the following section.

Temporarily lift your TransUnion credit freeze for a single creditor by entering the TransUnion PIN, choosing 'Temporarily lift,' and typing the lender's name; the freeze lifts instantly online, letting that creditor view your report while other inquiries stay blocked.

Alternatively, set a start and end date for the lift to cover a specific window; after you input the TransUnion PIN and select 'Set dates,' the freeze remains lifted only between those dates, which is useful for multiple applications and typically takes 1 - 3 business days to activate by phone, but is immediate through the TransUnion online portal.

• Confirm the lift by logging into TransUnion's online portal (or app) immediately after you submit the unfreeze request; the dashboard shows 'freeze lifted' for online lifts and 'lift in progress' for phone lifts (takes 1‑3 business days)
• Verify the status with your TransUnion PIN; a green check confirms the TransUnion credit freeze is removed
• Ensure the intended creditor can view your report; if a lender still reports a freeze, call TransUnion within 24 hours
• Avoid accidental re‑freeze by leaving the 'auto‑refreeze' option unchecked after a temporary thaw
• Save the confirmation screen or email (it lists the lift date) for future reference
• Store your TransUnion PIN securely, for example in a password manager, to prevent forgotten‑PIN re‑freeze attempts

When you lift the freeze, the credit report becomes available instantly if you unfreeze online, and typically within 1‑3 business days when you lift the freeze by phone using your TransUnion PIN. The change registers as soon as the system processes the request, so you can apply for credit right after the confirmation.

After the lift, lenders can pull your full TransUnion credit file - including all open accounts, recent inquiries, and any activity reported up to the moment of the request. If you set a temporary lift, the file is visible only during the specified window; otherwise the report stays open until you freeze it again.

If your TransUnion credit freeze was placed because of identity theft, you can lift the freeze at no charge using the TransUnion PIN you recovered earlier.

• Go to the TransUnion identity‑theft portal, enter your TransUnion PIN, and select 'lift the freeze.'
• Choose a permanent lift or set a specific end date; online requests process immediately.
• To lift by phone, call 1‑800‑800‑TRANS (877‑874‑2273) with your PIN, request the lift, and expect completion within 1 - 3 business days.
• Keep the confirmation number; verify that the freeze is lifted before providing your credit to any creditor.
• No fee applies for lifting a freeze related to identity theft, as mandated by federal law.
• After the creditor finishes, you can re‑freeze instantly using the same PIN to keep your report secure.

To unfreeze a minor's TransUnion credit freeze, a parent or legal guardian must log in with their own credentials, provide the child's TransUnion PIN, and lift the freeze.

1. Confirm you are the authorized guardian and have a valid government ID (see 'collect your ID and TransUnion PIN').
2. Locate the minor's TransUnion PIN; if it's missing, follow the 'recover your lost TransUnion PIN' steps.
3. Open the TransUnion credit freeze portal or call 1‑800‑916‑8800.
4. Select the child's profile, choose 'unfreeze,' enter the TransUnion PIN, and specify whether the lift is permanent or for a set date range.
5. Submit the request; online lifts are immediate, while phone requests typically require 1 - 3 business days.
6. Verify the status shows 'lifted' before providing the report to any creditor or lender.

State rules may affect required documentation, but the core process remains the same.

All states must follow the 2018 federal law that makes placing, lifting, or temporarily suspending a TransUnion credit freeze free; no state can charge a fee to lift the freeze or request a TransUnion PIN.

If you still see fee listings, they are outdated. Verify by checking your state's consumer‑protection website or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explanation. For example, Texas‑based guides may still mention a $5 fee, but under federal law the fee cannot be applied. Likewise, Virginia‑specific pages that cite a $10 charge are inaccurate.

Confirming the current rule prevents surprise charges when you lift the freeze after completing the PIN recovery steps earlier in this guide.