Cancel & dispute
How do I mail a credit dispute letter to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
Send a separate letter to each credit bureau that shows the error, using the dispute mailing address published on that bureau's own website, and include copies (not originals) of documents that support your dispute. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681i), the bureau generally must finish its investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute, and the FTC recommends sending it by certified mail with a return receipt so you can prove when it arrived.
| Bureau | Official dispute page | What to check there |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | equifax.com credit dispute | Mailing address for disputes and what ID copies to include |
| Experian | experian.com disputes | Mailing address for disputes and required documents |
| TransUnion | transunion.com credit disputes | Mailing address for disputes and required documents |
What to include
The FTC's sample letter to credit bureaus and the CFPB's sample dispute letters are good models; our credit report dispute template follows the same structure.
- Your full name, date of birth, current address and the last four digits of your SSN (or what the bureau asks for).
- Each item you dispute: the company name and account number, and why it is wrong.
- What you want done: corrected or removed.
- Copies of supporting documents and of your ID and proof of address, if the bureau requests them.
Why mail instead of online
Online disputes are faster to submit, but a mailed dispute lets you attach exactly the documents you want and gives you a paper trail: a certified receipt for the mailing date and a return receipt for the delivery date. The 30-day investigation period generally runs from when the bureau receives your dispute; it can be extended by up to 15 days if you send more information during the investigation.
Also dispute with the company that reported the information (the "furnisher"); the FTC has a sample letter for that.
Mailing many disputes
Each bureau gets its own letter, so one dispute is often three certified letters. If you work for a credit repair business, note that the Credit Repair Organizations Act (15 U.S.C. 1679b) bars charging clients before the services are fully performed, among other rules. This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
Should credit dispute letters be sent certified mail?
It isn't legally required, but the FTC recommends certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of what you sent and when the bureau received it.
How to mail a credit dispute letter to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion?
Write one letter per bureau, get each bureau's current dispute address from its official website, attach copies of your evidence, and send each by Certified Mail.
How long does a bureau have to investigate?
Generally 30 days from receiving your dispute under 15 U.S.C. 1681i, with a possible extension of up to 15 days if you send more information during that time.
Best way to mail credit repair letters in bulk?
Each letter still needs its own envelope, address and certified number. Upload each letter as its own PDF and keep every tracking number with the client file.
What to do next
Fill in the credit dispute template, upload copies of your proof as extra pages, and send one Certified letter with return receipt to each bureau.
Send a credit dispute letterSources
- 15 U.S.C. 1681i: Procedure in case of disputed accuracy (Cornell LII)
- FTC: Disputing errors on your credit reports
- FTC: Sample letter to credit bureaus
- CFPB: Sample letters to dispute credit report information
- Equifax: Credit dispute
- Experian: Disputes
- TransUnion: Credit disputes
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.