Your credit report contains your financial history, such as credit you have received and whether you've paid your loans and credit cards on time. When you get married, your financial situation may change depending on your spouse's prior financial activities, but your credit report and credit score will not be affected -- at least in the short term.
Separate Accounts Remain Separate
When you get married, your credit report does not automatically merge with your spouse's account. As a result, your credit score will not be negatively or positively impacted simply because you get married. Also, getting married does not automatically make you a joint user on your spouse's credit cards, and you do not automatically become a co-signer on loans your spouse has taken out.
Joint Accounts Affect Both
If you and your spouse merge accounts to make them joint accounts, or if you take out new loans in both of your names, the account will appear on both your credit reports. For example, if you establish a joint credit card account, the account will appear on both credit reports. This can benefit you because both your credit score and your spouse's credit score will improve if you consistently make on-time payments. However, if a payment is missed on a joint credit card, both of your credit scores will suffer.
Effects of Spousal Debt
When you apply for a joint loan, lenders will check both credit reports, including both of your debt levels, to determine whether to issue a loan and how much interest to charge. Even though your credit report may be flawless, you may be denied a mortgage because of your spouse's high debt levels or poor credit score. According to Kiplinger, lenders often weigh the lower credit score more heavily, so a spouse with a bad credit report may limit your borrowing options.
Divorce
If you opened joint accounts with your spouse while married but later divorced, the divorce will not automatically take your name off the accounts. For example, if you received a joint credit card and later got divorced, the account will remain in both your names unless the account is closed. If it remains open and your ex-spouse runs up significant debt on the card and fails to repay it, it will negatively impact your credit report, and you may be liable for the debt.
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