๐Ÿ“Œ Key Takeaway: How to get your free annual credit report, what to check for, and how to dispute errors that hurt your score. Our editorial team has independently researched this topic to bring you accurate, actionable, and up-to-date information for 2025.

How to Get Your Free Credit Report

Federal law entitles every American to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus weekly โ€” accessed only through the official AnnualCreditReport.com website.

The Only Official Free Source

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized by federal law to provide these free reports โ€” other sites offering "free" reports often require a paid subscription after a trial period.

What Your Report Includes

SectionWhat It Shows
Account informationEvery credit account, balance, payment history
Public recordsBankruptcies and similar legal records
InquiriesWho has accessed your credit report

Note: Report vs. Score

Your free credit report doesn't automatically include your credit score โ€” reports show your detailed history, while scores are calculated separately and sometimes cost extra or are available through other free sources like your bank.

Common Mistakes

Using non-official "free credit report" sites that require credit card information for a trial that converts to a paid subscription โ€” stick to AnnualCreditReport.com for genuinely free reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get a genuinely free credit report?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized by federal law to provide free reports โ€” be cautious of other sites claiming to be free that require payment information.

Does my free credit report include my score?

Not automatically โ€” the report shows your detailed credit history, while your score is calculated separately and often available for free through your bank or credit card issuer.