banking-and-credit

Free Credit Freeze for Minor Children — Lock Your Child's Identity Before Thieves Do

Difficulty Easy Risk None Applies To All Potential Savings Prevents child identity theft that can take years and thousands of dollars to unwind Last Verified 2026-04-04

Free Credit Freeze for Minor Children — Lock Your Child’s Identity Before Thieves Do

What Is It?

Children are prime targets for identity theft. A child’s Social Security number is clean — no credit history, no fraud flags — making it attractive to thieves who can use it for years before anyone notices. The theft typically isn’t discovered until the child applies for a student loan, their first credit card, or an apartment at age 18 and finds a credit file full of fraudulent accounts.

Under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (which amended the FCRA), parents and legal guardians can place a free credit freeze on any child’s credit file if the child is under 16. Because children typically have no credit file yet, the bureaus must create one and immediately freeze it — locking it against any new account opening. The freeze is free, permanent until you lift it, and can be placed at all three major credit bureaus.

Do I Qualify?

  • You are the parent or legal guardian of a child under 16
  • You have the child’s Social Security number
  • You can provide a copy of your own government-issued ID and proof of guardianship

How It Works

Each bureau handles the process slightly differently but all require a written request by mail (because the child has no online account to authenticate through). Allow 2–4 weeks per bureau.

Equifax

Mail a written request to:
Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348

Include: a copy of your government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport), a copy of the child’s birth certificate or adoption papers, a copy of the child’s Social Security card or SSA letter, proof of your address (utility bill or bank statement), and a signed letter requesting a “protected consumer freeze” for the child.

Experian

Mail a written request to:
Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

Include the same documents listed above. Experian calls this a “minor’s credit freeze” and will create a file and freeze it. Full details at experian.com/freeze/center.html.

TransUnion

Mail a written request to:
TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Include the same documentation. TransUnion’s process is described at transunion.com/credit-freeze.

ChexSystems also accepts minor freeze requests if you believe your child may be targeted for banking fraud. Request by mail to ChexSystems, Attn: Consumer Relations, 7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125.

When Your Child Turns 16

The protected consumer freeze remains in place until the child reaches adulthood. At 16, the child gains control of their own credit freeze. At 18, they can lift it when applying for credit normally.

What Most People Don’t Know

  • Children don’t have a credit file until you create one (or until a thief does). The bureau will create a file solely for the purpose of freezing it — this is not a negative event and does not affect anything.
  • All three bureaus must be done separately. There is no single national freeze portal for minors. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each require their own mailed request.
  • A freeze doesn’t protect against all misuse. A freeze prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your child’s name, but it doesn’t prevent someone from using the SSN for employment fraud (filing a tax return or getting a job). The IRS offers a separate Child Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program for this.
  • You should also check if a file already exists. Before placing the freeze, you can request a credit report in the child’s name at AnnualCreditReport.com. If no file exists, you’ll get a “no file found” response — which is what you want. If a file does exist, that’s a red flag requiring immediate action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does placing a freeze on my child’s credit hurt their future credit score?

No. A credit freeze has no effect on credit scores — it is not a negative event. When your child is ready to apply for credit at 18, you simply lift or temporarily thaw the freeze online (at that point they’ll have their own account with the bureaus) and the process proceeds normally.

How long does the mailed process take?

Each bureau is required to respond within a reasonable time and typically processes requests within 10–30 business days. Send everything by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of submission.

What if my child’s identity has already been stolen?

Place the freeze immediately, then file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and follow the personalized recovery plan. You can also dispute any fraudulent accounts on the child’s file through the standard FCRA dispute process — bureaus are required to remove accounts opened fraudulently in a minor’s name.

Can I freeze the credit of a child under my guardianship who isn’t my biological child?

Yes. The law covers parents and legal guardians. You’ll need to provide documentation of your legal guardianship (court order or equivalent) along with the other required documents.

Does the freeze expire on its own?

No. A protected consumer freeze for a minor stays in place until you — or later, the child — explicitly removes it. At age 16, the child can begin managing it themselves; at 18, full control transfers to them.

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