How to Get My Credit Report in Canada

While there may be a cultural divide at times between the United States and Canada, the countries have one similarity: credit reports. Canada has the three credit bureaus of Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, just like the U.S. does. They also work the same way in providing your credit report for free, assuming you don't mind getting the report by snail mail. If you want to get an instant credit report by email, you'll have to pay a fee.

Instructions

Obtaining by Mail

1

Select two pieces of identification that prove who you are and have your signature on them. These could be your driver's license, birth certificate, a bill statement, a credit card or a card proving your citizenship of Canada.

2

Photocopy the front and back of the two pieces of ID.

3

Write an optional cover letter asking for your credit report. Place this in a safely-sealed, 8-by-11 envelope with the photocopies of your I.D.

4

Mail to one of these credit bureaus in Canada:

Experian Canada
150 King Street West, Suite 805
P.O. Box 68
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 1J9

TransUnion of Canada
Consumer Relations Center
P.O. Box 338, LCD 1
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 7W2

Equifax
Consumer Relations Department
Box 190 Jean Talon Station
Montreal, Quebec
H1S 2Z2

5

Receive your report in the mail in a couple of weeks.

Obtaining Online

6

Fill out an online order form on TransUnion Canada's website to get your credit report almost instantly in your email box. The first page asks for your personal information, including your email and Social Insurance number (the equivalent of a Social Security number in the United States).

7

On the second page, add your credit card information to pay for your credit report. TransUnion Canada charges $14.95 as of 2010. A credit score is also available for $7.95 as of 2010.

8

Verify your ID on the third page. The fourth page will take you to a page to view products, though you'll be able to finalize your payment before then.

9

Wait a few minutes for an email from TransUnion and open it to view your credit report.