How to Notify Credit Bureaus of a Death
How to notify Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion of a death to prevent identity theft and stop new credit.
Want this tracked alongside everything else you need to do?
Notifying the credit bureaus flags the file as deceased, which helps stop new credit being opened in your loved one’s name — a real risk after a death.
Step by step
- 1Send notice to one bureau. You generally only need to notify one of the three; they share death notices. Include a certified death certificate copy.
- 2Request a credit report. As the executor, you can request the deceased’s credit report to see all open accounts and creditors.
- 3Watch for identity theft. Place a deceased flag and monitor for any new accounts or suspicious activity for several months.
Common questions
Do I have to notify all three credit bureaus?
Notifying one (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) usually suffices, as they share death notifications — but you can notify all three to be safe.
Official sources
Related guides
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds vary by state and change over time — verify specifics with the official sources above or a licensed professional.