How to Get Your Free Annual Credit Report

In today’s tutorial, we will demonstrate how to obtain your free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site that allows consumers to ask for a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Accessing the Official Site

In your internet browser, log in to http://www.annualcreditreport.com. When you arrive, make sure your connection to the website is secured by clicking on the Verisign Secured icon on the bottom right.

Example of verification of secure connection:

Step 2: Secure Connection Verification

Once you have verified the connection is secure, select your state and click on Request Report.

Step 3: Filling in Personal Information

Fill in the form with your personal information. Verify your information before proceeding, and when you are ready, click Continue.

Step 4: Selecting Credit Reporting Companies

Select which credit reporting company you want to request a report from. It is recommended to ask for a report from all 3 companies. Click Next when you are ready to proceed.

Step 5: Navigating the Credit Report Request

A prompt will appear explaining that you may return to the original website by clicking on the button in the blue circle. Click Next to continue.

Step 6: Obtaining Your Experian Report

You will be directed to your first report, in this case, Experian. The company will ask you to verify your personal information to safeguard your report, such as the last four of your social security number. Continue with the process until you are presented with your report. Make sure you either save a copy of the report on your computer or print it out for your records.

Note: Throughout the process, you may be presented with the opportunity to view your credit score or FICO score. This is not part of the free annual credit report process and additional fees are required to access these scores. Remember, it is not necessary to ask for your score to view your credit report.

When you have viewed your report from Experian, click on Return to AnnualCreditReport.com on the top navigation bar to continue with your credit report request from Equifax and Transunion.

Step 7: Accessing Your Equifax Report

Equifax will ask you to verify your personal information to safeguard your report. Continue with the process until you are presented with your report. Make sure you either save a copy of the report on your computer or print it out for your records.

Note: Throughout the process, you may be presented with the opportunity to view your credit score or FICO score. This is not part of the free annual credit report process and additional fees are required to access these scores. Remember, it is not necessary to ask for your score to view your credit report.

When you have viewed your report from Equifax, click on Return to AnnualCreditReport.com on the top navigation bar to continue with your credit report request from Transunion.

Step 8: Completing the Process with TransUnion

Transunion will ask you to verify your personal information to safeguard your report. Continue with the process until you are presented with your report. Make sure you either save a copy of the report on your computer or print it out for your records.

Note: Throughout the process, you may be presented with the opportunity to view your credit score or FICO score. This is not part of the free annual credit report process and additional fees are required to access these scores. Remember, it is not necessary to ask for your score to view your credit report.

When you have viewed your report from Transunion, you have completed the process of obtaining your free annual credit report. It is advised you close your internet browser at this time.

That’s it! Once you have your reports, look for errors and read our post What Can I Dispute On My Credit Report? For details on how to dispute errors.

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