How do I get a copy of my credit report?

Getting copies of your credit reports is a simple process, especially if you have a Credit Karma account. Credit Karma provides free TransUnion and Equifax credit reports, as well as free VantageScore® 3.0 credit scores from those bureaus. You can also view copies of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus through the government-authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com.

Your credit report contains a history of how you’ve managed your debt over the last few years, as well as additional personal and public information about you. If you have strong credit, you may have an easier time getting approved for loans, credit cards and even housing. On the other hand, having poor credit may limit your opportunities.

That’s why it’s important to know what’s on your credit reports, especially if you plan to apply for credit soon.

• How do I get a copy of my credit report?
• What is a credit report?
• What information is on my credit reports?
• What’s next? Understanding your credit profile?
• FAQs about getting a copy of your credit report

How do I get a copy of my credit report?

How you access your credit report depends on which resource you use.

Here’s how to get free copies of your Equifax and TransUnion credit reports from Credit Karma:

1. Sign up for Credit Karma or log on to your existing account.
2. Select the “Credit” tab.
3. Select “View full credit report.”

You can view your credit reports on Credit Karma as often as you’d like.

To get your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the website and select “Request Your Free Credit Reports.” 
2. Provide some personal information, including your name, date of birth and address.
3. View and download your credit reports.

You can also request your credit reports by mail or over the phone. You can access a copy of your credit report from each of the three major consumer credit bureaus for free once a week from AnnualCreditReport.com.

Another way to get your credit reports is by contacting each of the credit bureaus. You can call each credit bureau to have a representative walk you through the process or just make an account through their website.

When can I get a copy of my credit report?

With Credit Karma, you can check your Equifax and TransUnion credit reports daily. You can also use AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every week.

Can I get a copy of my credit report for free?

You can get your credit reports for free if you use a free service like AnnualCreditReport.com, Credit Karma or one of the three credit bureaus. AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to get free copies of your credit reports weekly, while Credit Karma allows you to check your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports as often as you’d like.

Check the source of your credit reports carefully, since there are many websites operating as covert subscription platforms, or even outright scams.

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a collection of your credit history that lists details about your debts, including personal loans, student loans, credit cards and mortgages, for the past several years. It also lists personal information, employment history, select public records and more.

The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — use information reported by your lenders to compile your reports. Other lenders then use that information to decide whether to approve you for a loan, credit card or other financial product. Your credit reports may even be viewed by potential employers and landlords.

Your credit report is also the basis for your credit scores. Companies such as FICO and VantageScore use the information on your credit report to generate credit scores that provide a quick snapshot of how you’ve managed debt in the past. But most lenders will look at the details on your credit report, not just the scores.

What information is on my credit reports?

Your credit reports list information about who you are, how much debt you currently have and how you’ve been managing those debts in the past few years. Here’s what’s included:

• Personal information: Your credit reports will include your name, address, birthdate, Social Security number and phone number.
• Debt accounts: You’ll see information about each debt account you’ve had within the reporting timelines, including what type of debt it was, how much you borrowed, whether you made each payment on time and when you paid it off, among other things.
• Credit inquiries: Lenders or other businesses that have formally checked your credit in the past two years — resulting in a hard credit inquiry — will appear on your reports. Your report will also list companies that have checked your credit for other reasons, such as sending you prescreened credit offers, but only you can see this information. 
• Public records: Bankruptcies and foreclosures will also appear on your credit reports. Other public records, such as tax liens and civil judgments, do not show up on your credit reports.
• Collections: Your reports will list unpaid debts, bills, taxes or other obligations that have been sent to collections.

What’s next? Understanding your credit profile

Your credit reports contain much of the basic information that lenders use to evaluate your application for a loan or credit card, and even for a housing or a job. But that information isn’t the only thing they look at — they may consider these common lending factors, too:

• Credit scores: Your credit scores are based on the information in your credit reports and may contribute to a lender’s decision on whether to extend you credit. It’s a good idea to check your credit scores at the same time you check your credit reports.
• Monthly income: Lenders may check how consistent your paycheck is, how much you earn, how long you’ve been employed and other factors to make sure you earn enough to pay your debts.
• Debt-to-income ratio: The ratio of your minimum debt payments to your monthly income shows lenders whether you still have enough left over to pay your new debts after paying the ones you already have.

To get a better understanding of your credit profile, start by checking your free TransUnion and Equifax credit reports through Credit Karma. You can also check your VantageScore® 3.0 credit scores from these bureaus for free.