How to Get an Instant Free Credit Report

Your credit report is an important document that details your credit history and overall credit standing. Understanding your credit report and confirming its accuracy is vital when trying to apply for new credit. United States law mandates that everyone is entitled to access his or her credit report once a year without charge. You can view your free credit report instantly online.

Instructions

1

Open the annual free credit report Web site in your web browser (see Resources). Select your state from the drop-down menu and click on the "Request Report" button.

2

Insert your personal identification information into the appropriate fields. Enter your name, Social Security number, current address and previous address if you have lived at your current address for less than two years. Enter the randomized characters at the bottom of the screen into the corresponding field and click on the "Continue" button.

3

Select the credit reporting agency you would like to receive your report from. The three credit reporting agencies are Experian, Transunion and Equifax. You can choose any combination of these companies to receive a credit report from. Click "Next" once you have chosen your companies. Click "Next" again to submit your request.

4

Click "Continue" after you are redirected to the company's Web site. Enter a username and password to be allowed access to your credit report at a later date. Click "Continue."

5

View your credit report through the company Web site once it is retrieved. You can save or print the credit report for your records by clicking on the corresponding options.

6

Click on the "Return to AnnualCreditReport.com" link to go back to the main Web site. You can access additional credit reports from other credit bureaus by returning to the main page and selecting the appropriate reporting bureau name.