How to Freeze Your Child's Credit
Before we get started, I want to note that this information is current as of April 27, 2023.
Now that that’s settled, I decided to freeze Baby J’s credit report because someone used my Social Security number to open a Wells Fargo checking account when I was a child! I found the whole situation to be creepy and disturbing. So the moment I realized you could freeze your child’s credit report, I made a mental note to do so after Baby J’s arrival.
TLDR
Here are the links to freezing your child’s credit report:
example letter I wrote to request a protected consumer freeze
Quick Tips
request signature confirmation
keep a copy of each application (digital or physical) and note which type of proofs you sent
also, note the date and tracking information
keep important documentation in a safe or fireproof bag
I have one similar to this and it’s 20% off right now!
And if you’d like further explanation, I wrote a summary of instructions for each major credit bureau below. However, please be sure to check each website for the latest information!
Experian
Navigate to the Minor Request page on Experian.
Click on the third tab: “Add or remove a security freeze for a minor”.
Fill out the form.
Print the completed form.
Make photocopies of the following:
government-issued identification card (ex: driver’s license or state ID)
proof of address (bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement)
your child’s birth certificate
proof of guardianship if not named on child’s birth certificate
your child’s Social Security Card
Mail the form and photocopies to:
Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Again, please only mail photocopies. Never send original documents.
Equifax
Navigate to the “Freezing Your Child’s Credit Report FAQ” page. There you’ll find a video and answers to common questions.
Fill out the form embedded in the answer to the question, “How do I request a security freeze for my child? “.
Make photocopies of the following:
proof of identity (ex: driver’s license or other government-issued identification, your Social Security card, or your birth certificate)
proof of guardianship (ex: child’s birth certificate, court order, lawfully executed and valid power of attorney, or foster care certification)
proof of the child’s identity (copy of the child’s Social Security card and copy of the child’s birth certificate)
Print out the completed form and mail it along with the photocopies to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
TransUnion
Provide a written request to freeze your child’s credit.
Provide the following:
sufficient proof of authority (Ex: court order, lawfully executed and valid power of attorney, US Federal, State, or local government agency issued document showing proof of parentage, including a birth certificate)
for foster children, a written communication from a county welfare department or its agent or designee, or a county probation department or its agent or designee is required
proof of your identity (Ex: copy of a Social Security card, certified or official copy of your birth certificate, copy of a driver’s license, or any other government-issued identification)
proof of your child’s identity (Ex: copy of a Social Security card, certified or official copy of their birth certificate, or any other government-issued identification)
a certified copy of their birth certificate would also satisfy the proof of authority request
Mail the letter and proofs to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 380
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Please only send copies of documents, not original documents.
When the request has been completed, TransUnion letter mail a letter of confirmation.
For more information, check out the “Freeze Credit for a Minor, Incapacitated Adult or Spouse” section of the Freeze Support Center Page.
Unfreezing Your Child’s Credit
Your child can always unfreeze their credit when they turn 18. If you need to do it before, I’ve located the instructions for all three bureaus and linked them below:
Experian
Navigate to Experian’s “Child Identity Theft Protection”.
Click on the third tab: “Add or remove a security freeze for a minor”.
Fill out the form.
Please note: Under “Reason for your request”, select: “Permanently remove a security freeze from your child's credit file”
Follow the instructions under “How to Send Us Your Information” on the webpage.
Equifax
Navigate to “Freezing Your Child's Credit Report: FAQ”.
Search “What if I want to temporarily lift or permanently remove a security freeze – or my child does?” and follow the instructions in the answer:
“Requests to temporarily lift or permanently remove a security freeze from a minor's credit report must be submitted in writing by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian must provide documents listed above to verify their identity and address; the minor's identity; and proof that the parent or legal guardian is legally authorized to act on the consumer's behalf. Requests can be mailed to the address listed above.”
TransUnion
Navigate to the “Freeze Credit for a Minor, Incapacitated Adult or Spouse” section of TransUnion's “Freeze Support Center”.
Locate the “How can I remove a Protected Consumer Freeze?” question and follow the instructions.
It is nearly identical to the process to freeze a minor’s credit.
And that’s it! It took me a few hours to get everything together and to TRIPLE CHECK all the requirements. I’ll provide an update on how long the process took once I get confirmation on Baby J’s credit freeze.
Thanks, y’all!
- Lisa Pizza
