How Long Does It Take to Get My Free Credit Report?

Q. How long should someone wait for a credit report? I mailed AnnualCreditReport.com requests for a single credit agency report for my daughter and myself, but neither of us have received a response. I do not want to send an additional request and be billed for multiple reports.

A. We’re glad to see you are checking up on your credit.

As you’ve indicated, AnnualCreditReport.com is the place you can get copies of your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax once a year for free.

If you access the credit reports online, you’ll get them immediately.

If you make the request by phone at 877-322-8228, it will take about 15 days for your reports to be mailed to you.

If you do it by mail, your request will also take about 15 days from the time they receive your request. It could take as long as three weeks before you receive it.

You mentioned you also made a request for your daughter. If she is a minor (an adult should make the request herself), it’s possible that she doesn’t have a credit file yet. That would be indicated to you when the credit bureau responds to your request.

If the requests seem to be taking longer, it’s possible the credit bureau needs more information to verify your identity. If that happens, you’ll also receive the request in writing.

If you’re interested in your credit score, too, take a look at this report on free credit scores. You and your daughter can also get free credit scores, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.