How Often Can You Get a Free Credit Report?

Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the three major credit bureaus that provide credit reports for consumers in the United States. Your credit report determines your credit score, so it is important that the information on the report is accurate and up-to-date. You can obtain a free credit report from each bureau once per year, or more often if you meet specific qualifications.

Annually

All people in the United States are eligible to receive one free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus. To get these free credit reports, you must order the reports through the Annual Credit Report website. You can get them all at once or, if you would like to spread them out, get them one at a time throughout a year. For example, you could get your Experian report every January, your TransUnion report every May and your Equifax report every September. That way you get one free report every four months.

After Credit Denial

If you are denied credit, insurance or employment because of your credit, you are eligible to receive a free copy of your credit report from each credit bureau. These free reports can help you identify the reasons that your credit score was not good enough to qualify. Your denial letter will contain the credit bureau addresses and phone numbers to use to obtain your free credit reports. However, you must request the reports within 60 days of having your application denied.

In Special Circumstances

Credit bureaus provide extra free credit reports directly to individuals who fit into a few specific groups. All of these reports must be ordered through the credit bureaus, not through the Annual Credit Report service. People who qualify include those who have reason to believe their credit reports are inaccurate due to fraud or identity theft, those who are unemployed and are planning to look for work within 60 days, and those who are on welfare.

State Law Exceptions

According to the Annual Credit Report website, as of 2011, residents of Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont are eligible to get an additional free report each year directly from each credit bureau. Therefore, if you live in one of these states, you can order a free report from a credit bureau through the Annual Credit Report website and order another free report through the bureau's website during the same year.