How to freeze your child's credit
Children are attractive targets for identity theft: their Social Security numbers have clean histories, and the theft can go unnoticed for years, until they apply for a student loan or their first apartment. A freeze stops that.
The basics
- It's free. Parents and guardians can request a freeze for a child under 16 at no cost, according to the FTC.
- It stays until you remove it. You can lift it when your child needs credit.
- Most kids don't have a credit file yet. For a minor, the bureau creates a file just to freeze it, which keeps anyone else from creating one.
How to do it
Freezing a child's credit is a different process from freezing your own, and you can't do it with the regular online freeze. Each bureau has its own minor freeze request, usually by mail or upload, with documents proving who you and your child are, such as:
- Your child's birth certificate and Social Security card
- Your government-issued ID and proof of address
- Proof that you're the parent or legal guardian
Find each bureau's instructions on its freeze page: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. As with adults, freeze at all three.
When your child turns 16
Teens 16 and older can generally request their own freeze. Make sure they know their file is frozen and how to lift it when they apply for a first card, loan, or lease.
Sources
Questions
Can I freeze my child’s credit for free?
Yes. Parents and guardians can request a free freeze for a child under 16 at each bureau.
My child has no credit file. Can I still freeze it?
Yes. The bureau creates a file in order to freeze it, which keeps anyone else from opening one.