How to Check Your Credit Score Using an ITIN Number

Your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can help you apply for a secured credit card or a credit builder loan as your first step in establishing a credit history.

If you can stay consistent with your payments for six months, you should have a strong enough history to have a credit score.

You can then get your credit score from a free Experian Membership, third-party apps, or from your financial institution (if you meet the requirements).

You can also get a free copy of your credit report from  Annual Credit Report.com (which actually provides you with free weekly credit reports). Unfortunately, the website only accepts a Social Security Number (SSN) as proof of identification.

But you can also request a credit report directly from the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

How to Check Your Credit Score Using an ITIN

You can get your credit score from the following sources:

• Credit card statements
• Loan agreements
• Direct purchase from the three major credit bureaus.
• Acquire the services of a credit score agency
• Subscribe to credit monitoring services

The credit report summarizes your credit history. It tells the story of how you managed the credit you’ve acquired. The credit report is used to calculate your credit score. The information contained in your credit report will guide you on how to improve your credit score.

In the next three sections, we’ll teach you how to get your credit report from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

How to Get Your Credit Report from Experian with an ITIN

Experian has clarified that it only accepts the SSN, not the ITIN when processing credit report requests. 

Don’t throw in the towel! As we’ll explain later in this guide, it’s okay to bend (break?) Experian’s rules and include your ITIN in the list of required submissions.

Follow the steps below to get a credit report from Experian.

1. Prepare a letter with the subject line: “Request for a Credit Report.”
2. Include the following information:

• Full name; include middle initial and generation (Jr., Sr., II, III…)
• ITIN
• Copy of government-issued I.D. card (Driver’s license, passport, or state I.D card)
• Birth date
• Complete addresses for the last two years

3. Mail your letter to:

Experian
P.O. Box 9701
Allen TX, 75013

If you haven’t heard from Experian after one week, call customer service at 877-FACTACT.

💡 Pro Tip: Use certified mail for easier tracking and faster delivery.

How to Get Your Credit Report from TransUnion with an ITIN

To request your credit report from TransUnion, follow the process we outlined for Experian.

Mail your letter to:

TransUnion LLC
Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000

If you haven’t heard from TransUnion after one week, call customer service at 877-322-8228.

How to Get Your Credit Report from Equifax with an ITIN

Equifax accepts ITIN. All you have to do is to open a MyEquifax Account.

Federal law requires the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every week from:  https://www.annualcreditreport.com/.

With Equifax, you get six credit reports every year. You can also subscribe to Equifax Core Credit and get a monthly credit report and a VantageScore credit score.

If you haven’t heard from Equifax after one week, contact them through the following channels:

Mailing Address:

Equifax Information Services
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Customer Service: 1-888-EQUIFAX

What is an ITIN?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues the ITN to people who can’t get an SSN, such as residents with foreign status and undocumented immigrants.

The ITN is used for the following purposes:

• Process and file U.S. Taxes
• Become eligible for U.S.-based tax return money

You can’t use the ITN to find work, qualify for SSN benefits, or receive earned income tax credits from dependents.

Can You Use the ITIN to Open a Bank Account?

Some banks, such as Chase Bank, accept the ITIN as a document to open a checking account.

If you open a checking account with Chase using your ITIN, the bank will send a report to the credit bureaus.

Experian will assess your credit history based on the information contained in the report. That you opened a checking account with an ITIN instead of an SSN is irrelevant. Having a checking account already establishes your credit history.

Thus, although Experian only accepts an SSN when reviewing credit report requests, you can include your ITIN in the list of required information.

How To Improve Your Credit Score with an ITIN

For immigrants, starting a new life in the Land of Opportunity is a breath of fresh air. Building your credit history will help you capitalize on those opportunities.

Apply for an SSN, but if you don’t meet the U.S. Social Security Administration’s guidelines for non-citizens, apply for an ITIN.

Once you have your ITIN, the next step is to work on your credit score.

1. Get a Secured Credit Card

A secured credit card is a credit card that’s backed by a security deposit made by the cardholder.

It can help you build a positive credit history but remember that the security deposit is for the benefit of the bank. It’s there to ensure the bank doesn’t lose money in case you default.

The best way to view a secured credit card is that it’s your first step in getting the real thing. If you consistently pay off your balance on time with a secured card, you’ll steadily build your credit score.

2. Get a Credit Builder Loan

A credit builder loan is better described as a time deposit or a locked savings account that charges you interest instead of the other way around. You’re essentially paying a financial institution interest for the chance of proving your capability of making payments on time.

3. Become an Authorized User of a Credit Card

If you have a friend or family member with a credit card, ask them if you can become its authorized user. Just be sure that their credit card issuer reports the information of authorized users to the credit bureaus.

4. Use Credit Wisely

A good rule to abide by is to spend only what you can pay for. Credit history isn’t made after Day #1. You’ll need six months of activity to build an acceptable credit history that can be used to calculate your credit score.

What is a Credit Score?

You’ve spent the last six months diligently paying your credit card bills for the purpose of attaining a good credit score.

We’ve mentioned “credit score” throughout this article, but what is it?

Your credit score measures your creditworthiness. It gives lenders an idea of your ability to pay borrowed money.

Lenders measure credit scores using two scoring models:

• FICO Score
• Vantage Score

90% of lenders use FICO scores to measure creditworthiness.

If you’re thinking about getting a home mortgage loan, an auto loan, or revolving credit, you might want to consider opening an account with banks that provide a FICO score.

Here’s a table showing a list of banks that provide customers with their FICO scores.

How to Transfer Credit History From an ITIN to an SSN

Once you acquire your SSN, your credit history isn’t automatically transferred from your ITIN. To do this, you have to inform the credit bureaus.

1. Prepare a letter to the three credit bureaus with the subject line: “Request to Transfer Credit History.”
2. Inform the credit bureaus that you acquired your SSN and want to transfer your credit history from your ITIN.
3. Include the following documents in your letter:

• Copy of your ITIN
• Copy of your SSN
• Copy of your Employment Authorization Card or Green Card
• Copy of recent utility bill with your name and current address
• Copy of a valid government-issued I.D

4. Mail the letter to the credit bureaus:

• Experian

P.O. Box 9701
Allen TX, 75013

• TransUnion LLC

Consumer Solutions

P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000

• Equifax Information Services

P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

The credit bureaus should respond in two to four weeks. If they have questions, respond immediately. If the credit history transfer has been confirmed, check your credit reports. Then, inform the credit bureaus that the transfer was successful.

Inform the banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions with which you have accounts that your credit history has been transferred from your ITIN to your SSN. Finally, be sure to provide them with a copy of your SSN.

Related article: What Credit Score Do You Start With?

Summary

Use your ITIN to apply for a secured credit card or to apply for a credit builder loan. After six months of consistent monthly payments, your credit history should be enough to establish a credit score.

Most financial institutions provide you access to a FICO score or a Vantage score as long as you meet certain requirements. A FICO score is preferable since it’s the scoring model that’s used by most financial institutions.