How quickly must a credit bureau place or lift a credit freeze?

Federal law has required free credit freezes nationwide since 2018, with specific deadlines in 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(i).

Deadlines

The clocks run from when the bureau receives the request. For removal, the bureau must receive both the request and proper identification.

Cost

Placing and removing a freeze is free under § 1681c-1(i).

What to know before you freeze

• Freeze at each bureau. A freeze at Equifax does not freeze Experian or TransUnion. The FTC advises contacting all three.
• Keep your credentials. Bureaus give you a way to manage the freeze, such as a PIN or online account. Store it safely.
• Lifting for an application. The FTC suggests asking which bureau a lender will use and lifting only that one if you prefer.
• Who can still see your report. A freeze does not stop your existing creditors, and certain other users, from accessing your report as the law permits.
• Score. The FTC says a freeze does not affect your credit score.

If a bureau misses a deadline

Keep a record of when you made the request (confirmation screens, call date and time, or certified mail receipt) and when the freeze took effect. A freeze that is not placed, or not lifted, on time can cause real harm, such as a loan delay or an account opened in your name during the gap.

Children under 16 and other “protected consumers” have a separate freeze process that a parent or other representative requests, under the protected consumer provisions of § 1681c-1. For more on protecting your file, see identity theft and your credit report.

Related

• Identity theft cases
• Equifax lawsuit guide
• Experian lawsuit guide
• TransUnion lawsuit guide

Sources

• 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(i) — National security freeze (Cornell LII)
• FTC — What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts

Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.