You can lift a credit freeze online, by phone, or by mail at each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Online and phone requests must be processed within one hour, and the entire process is free. You’ll need to contact each bureau separately, since no single request covers all three.
Temporary Lift vs. Permanent Removal
Before you start, decide whether you want to temporarily thaw your freeze or remove it entirely. A temporary lift opens your credit file for a date range you choose, then automatically refreezes when that window closes. This is the better option if you’re applying for a specific loan, credit card, or apartment and want to keep your file locked the rest of the time.
A permanent removal takes the freeze off completely, leaving your credit file accessible to any lender or company that pulls your report going forward. You can always place a new freeze later at no cost, but you’ll need to go through the setup process again. Most people applying for a single credit product are better off with a temporary lift.
How to Lift the Freeze Online
The fastest method is through each bureau’s website. Log in to your account at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, navigate to the freeze or security section, and select the option to lift or thaw your freeze. If you’re doing a temporary lift, you’ll choose your start and end dates. If you’re removing it permanently, confirm that selection. The bureau is required by federal law to process your request within one hour.
You only need your account username and password to manage a freeze online. The bureaus no longer require a separate PIN for online requests, which simplifies the process considerably. If you don’t already have an online account with a bureau, you’ll need to create one first, which involves verifying your identity with personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth, and address.
How to Lift the Freeze by Phone
If you prefer to call, each bureau has a dedicated line:
- Equifax: 888-298-0045
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 800-916-8800
A representative will verify your identity by asking security questions or sending a one-time code via text. Phone requests follow the same one-hour processing rule as online requests. Have your Social Security number and current address ready before calling to speed things along.
How to Lift the Freeze by Mail
Mail is the slowest option. Bureaus have three business days after receiving your letter to process a mail request, compared to one hour for phone or online. You’ll need to send a written request that includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and addresses from the past two years. Include a copy of a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) and a copy of a utility bill or bank statement to verify your address.
Each bureau has its own mailing address for freeze requests, which you can find on their websites. Send your letter to all three if you need the freeze lifted across the board. Because of the processing delay and mail transit time, plan for at least a week or two if you go this route.
You Must Contact Each Bureau Separately
There is no single form, website, or phone number that lifts your freeze at all three bureaus at once. You need to submit a separate request to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion individually. If you’re applying for a mortgage or auto loan, your lender will typically pull reports from all three, so lifting the freeze at just one bureau may not be enough. Ask the lender which bureaus they use if you want to save time and only thaw the relevant ones.
If You Lost Your Login Credentials
Losing your account password or username does not lock you out permanently. Each bureau’s website has a standard password reset process. If you can’t recover your online account, calling the bureau directly is your next best option. Phone representatives will verify your identity through security questions or a one-time PIN sent to your phone, then process the lift for you.
For Equifax, the phone representative may ask identity verification questions or text a code. Experian’s phone process involves speaking with a representative who verifies your identity verbally. In all cases, you won’t need to remember a separate freeze PIN, since the bureaus have moved away from that system for most consumers.
How Long the Lift Takes
Federal law sets clear deadlines. If you submit your request online or by phone, the bureau must lift the freeze within one hour. If you send your request by mail, the bureau has three business days after receiving it. These same timelines apply whether you’re doing a temporary thaw or a permanent removal.
In practice, online lifts often go through in minutes. If you’re in the middle of a credit application and the lender tells you your file is frozen, you can typically resolve it on your phone during the same appointment. Just make sure you know which bureau the lender is pulling from, lift the freeze there, and give it a few minutes before the lender tries again.
What It Costs
Lifting a credit freeze is completely free. Placing a freeze, lifting it temporarily, and removing it permanently all cost nothing, regardless of how many times you do it. This has been the case since a 2018 federal law eliminated fees for credit freezes nationwide. If any service asks you to pay to lift your freeze, that’s a red flag.