You can unfreeze your TransUnion credit report online, by phone, or by mail, and the process is free. If you do it online or by phone, federal law requires TransUnion to lift the freeze within one hour of your request. Here’s how each method works and what to do if you run into trouble.
Unfreeze Online Through the Service Center
The fastest option is logging into your TransUnion Service Center account at transunion.com. Once you’re in, select “Temporarily Lift Freeze” and enter the dates you want the lift to cover. You can also remove the freeze permanently from the same screen.
If you know you’ll need the freeze lifted on a future date (say, for a mortgage application next week), you can schedule the removal up to 15 days in advance. This is helpful when a lender tells you they’ll pull your credit on a specific day. Set the window to open that morning and close a day or two later, and your report will be accessible only during that period.
Unfreeze by Phone
Call TransUnion’s dedicated freeze line at 800-916-8800. You’ll verify your identity by providing your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. TransUnion may ask a few additional questions to confirm you are who you say you are. You no longer need a six-digit PIN to make changes to your freeze, so don’t worry if you never saved one or can’t find it.
Like the online method, a phone request must be processed within one hour under federal law.
Unfreeze by Mail
If you prefer to send a written request, mail a letter that includes your full name, current address, and Social Security number to TransUnion’s dedicated freeze mailing address (listed on their website). While not required, including one proof of identity and two proofs of your current address helps TransUnion locate your record faster. Acceptable identity documents include a Social Security card, a letter from the Social Security Administration, a military ID, or a Medicaid/Medicare card. For address verification, you can use a driver’s license, utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, or government-issued ID. Send photocopies only, and make sure everything is unexpired and shows your current name.
Mail requests take longer. Federal law gives TransUnion up to three business days after receiving your letter to process the lift, plus however long the mail takes to arrive. If you’re on a tight timeline for a loan or rental application, use the online or phone method instead.
Temporary Lift vs. Permanent Removal
You have two choices when unfreezing. A temporary lift opens your credit file for a date range you specify, then automatically refreezes it when that window closes. This is the better option if you’re applying for a specific loan or credit card and want protection the rest of the time. A permanent removal takes the freeze off entirely, leaving your report accessible to any creditor who requests it until you place a new freeze.
Both options are free, and the same processing timelines apply: one hour for online or phone requests, three business days for mail.
What to Do If You’re Locked Out of Your Account
If you can’t remember your username or password, go to the TransUnion login page and select “Login help,” then “I forgot my password, username, or email.” Enter the phone number or email address tied to your account and follow the verification steps. Once your identity is confirmed, you’ll see your username and get the option to reset your password.
If you don’t remember any of your login details, select “Login a different way” on the login page. TransUnion will ask for personal information to locate your account and verify your identity without your original credentials.
If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number you used when you created the account, you’ll need to contact TransUnion’s support team directly. Call 833-543-4353 (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, and weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern) or use the online chat on their website. If you requested a login passcode by text or email and it hasn’t arrived, check your spam folder and wait at least 10 minutes before requesting a new one.
Don’t Forget the Other Two Bureaus
A TransUnion freeze only blocks access to your TransUnion credit report. If you also froze your files at Equifax and Experian, you’ll need to lift those separately. Many lenders pull reports from all three bureaus, so leaving one frozen can delay or block an application even after you’ve unfrozen the others. When a lender or landlord tells you they’ll be checking your credit, ask which bureau they use so you can lift only what’s needed.