Understanding what’s in your credit report is a smart step toward better financial health. One of the most important parts of your report is the section on public records and credit inquiries. These entries can have a real impact on your credit score, so it’s important to check them carefully every time you check your credit.
Public records and inquiries are usually found near the end of your annual credit report, though each credit bureau organizes reports a little differently. This section might be short, but it can tell lenders a lot about your financial past.
The public records on your credit report include court-related information tied to your finances. These entries can lower your Fico score and make it harder to qualify for loans or new credit.
Common types of public records include:
These items are reported by government agencies and legal systems. Traffic tickets and criminal records are not included; only financial matters are listed here.
The length of time these records stay on your report varies:
It’s always better to have no public records at all. But if you’ve had financial troubles, keeping this section accurate and up to date is important. Once a public record expires, the credit bureaus are supposed to remove it automatically, but you should still confirm it's gone.
Each public record on your credit file includes several data points. These usually include:
In a bankruptcy case, you might also see:
If you spot a mistake, you can dispute the record. For help with that, Credit.org offers a free Consumer Guide to Good Credit, and free credit counseling to help you take action.
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The credit inquiries section of your credit report shows who has looked at your credit file and when. This part is often labeled something like “Requests for Your Credit History.” These entries are important because they can impact your credit, especially if you’re applying for loans or credit cards.
Every time a company checks your credit, an inquiry is added to your report. Some of these inquiries matter for your credit score, while others don’t.
There are two types of credit checks:
Understanding the difference between a hard credit check and a soft inquiry is important. Too many hard pulls in a short period can make you seem like a credit risk to lenders.
Inquiries fall under the “new credit” category, which makes up about 10% of your credit score, according to most credit scoring models. One or two inquiries are not a big deal. But if you have several credit card applications or loan applications in a short time, your score could take a hit.
A hard credit pull stays on your report for two years, but its effect on your score drops after a few months.
If you’re applying for the same type of loan—like shopping around for a car—multiple inquiries within a short window (usually 14 to 45 days) are counted as a single inquiry. This is called rate shopping and it won’t hurt your score much.
In some cases, an unfamiliar hard inquiry could mean someone tried to open credit in your name. That’s a red flag for fraudulent accounts or identity theft. If you don’t recognize the name of a company listed in your inquiry section:
It’s a good idea to check your credit report at least once per year. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can request a free copy of your annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax). Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to access your reports without paying.
Right now, the credit bureaus are offering free weekly reports, making it easier to spot errors or fraud fast.
If you’re planning to apply for credit—such as a loan or credit card—check your report in advance to clear up any issues that could lower your score.What to Do About Inquiries
If you want to clean up your credit file, here are some smart steps to take:
Reading the Rest of Your Credit Report
To learn more about the other sections of your credit report, check out:
Whether you’re reviewing public records or managing hard credit pulls, every part of your credit report tells a story. If you want to improve your score, start by understanding how inquiries and records affect it.
Checking your report regularly helps you catch errors, avoid surprises, and take control of your financial future. And remember, if something doesn’t look right, you have the right to dispute it and fix the problem.
Credit.org can help, through our Credit Report Review service, and one-on-one credit counseling from a certified professional.
