How to Obtain a Deceased Person’s Credit Report

Who Can Obtain a Deceased Person's Credit Report?

Only people who are legally authorized to do so can obtain a copy of a deceased person's credit report. Generally, this includes the person's spouse, the executor of the estate or someone who has power of attorney.

How to Obtain a Deceased Person's Credit Report

Follow these steps to get a copy of your loved one's credit report:

1. Gather the Required Documents

The documents you need to get a copy of a deceased person's credit report may vary slightly depending on which credit bureau you are contacting. In general, however, you'll need the following:

• The deceased person's full legal name, Social Security number, birth date and death date
• A certified copy of the death certificate. If you don't already have one, you can request a certified copy from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred.
• A copy of the deceased person's government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport
• Your full legal name and address

Unless the deceased was your spouse, you'll need to provide proof that you are legally authorized to access their credit report. Examples of documentation include:

• A copy of the will naming you as the executor of the estate
• A copy of a legal document with a court seal indicating you are the executor of the estate
• A copy of a legal document showing you have power of attorney

You'll also need to prove your identity by providing a copy of your government ID.

If you have questions about what you need to submit, you can contact the credit bureaus by phone at the numbers below.

• Experian: 888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 800-916-8800
• Equifax: 888-378-4329

2. Request the Credit Report From the Credit Bureaus

To request a deceased person's credit report from each of the three consumer credit bureaus, mail your request and copies of your supporting documents to:

Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013

You can also submit the required documents online along with your request for the report.

TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Equifax
P.O. Box 105139
Atlanta, GA 30348-5139

Learn more: What to Do When Someone Dies: A Complete Checklist

What to Do After Obtaining a Deceased Person's Credit Report

Review Outstanding Accounts

Use the credit accounts listed on the report to compile a list of the deceased person's creditors. This may include credit cards, loans or lines of credit. Keep in mind that creditors may not report to all three credit bureaus, so you may see an account on one credit report that doesn't appear on another.

Notify Creditors

Contact the creditors on your list to notify them of your loved one's death. This includes creditors for accounts with no outstanding balance. The lenders will update the accounts so that no one can use them fraudulently. The next time the creditors update the accounts with the credit bureaus, they will report the death as well.

Tip: If the deceased held joint credit accounts, it's important to notify the creditor that only one account holder is deceased. The lender may be able to keep the account open and put it in the surviving account holder's name.

Request a "Deceased" Flag

Once the credit bureau is informed of your loved one's death, a "deceased alert" will be added to the person's credit report. This flags the report as belonging to a deceased person. If someone tries to fraudulently apply for credit in your loved one's name, the creditor will be notified that the person is deceased.

Check for Fraud

Criminals sometimes steal a deceased person's identity and use it to apply for credit cards or loans in the person's name, file fraudulent tax returns in hopes of a refund or drain the person's bank accounts. Unfamiliar accounts or credit inquiries on your loved one's credit report could be signs of fraud.

If you discover identity theft, you should report it to creditors, banks and any other affected organizations. You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on IdentityTheft.gov, which will create an FTC Identity Theft Report.

Dispute Any Errors

If you find information on the deceased person's credit reports that you believe is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it with the appropriate credit bureau. You can file a dispute by mail, by phone or online. Disputing errors can help ensure the estate doesn't pay invalid or fraudulent debts, which could reduce the assets left to survivors.

Learn more: What Happens to Debt When You Die?

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Obtaining your deceased family member's credit report allows you to identify creditors that need to be notified of the death and compile a list of outstanding debts the estate may need to pay. It's also an opportunity to check for potential identity fraud that could drain your loved one's financial accounts and leave survivors without the money they need to carry on with their lives.

If you and your loved one shared joint accounts, you'll want to ensure that your FICO^® Score^Θ isn't negatively impacted. Free credit monitoring from Experian can help by alerting you of important changes to your credit file that could indicate fraud. It's one less thing to think about during an emotionally difficult time.