Quick answer: You can freeze your child’s credit for free at all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Federal law lets parents and guardians freeze credit for children under 16. Because most kids have no credit file, the bureau first creates one and then freezes it. You’ll usually need to mail or upload proof of your identity, the child’s identity and your authority as parent.
Child identity theft often goes unnoticed for years. A thief can use a child’s Social Security number to open cards or loans, and no one finds out until the teen applies for a student loan or first apartment. A freeze is the strongest free protection, and it takes about an hour to set up at all three bureaus.
How to freeze your child’s credit: step by step
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gather documents: child’s Social Security card and birth certificate; your government ID; proof of address (utility bill or bank statement); guardianship or court papers if you’re not the parent on the birth certificate |
| 2 | Go to each bureau’s minor freeze page: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion |
| 3 | Submit the request online (where offered) or by mail with copies of your documents |
| 4 | Wait for confirmation letters; each bureau will mail or email a confirmation |
| 5 | Save any PIN or account login in a safe place; you’ll need it to lift the freeze later |
Do all three. A freeze at one bureau doesn’t stop a lender that checks another.
Who can request a child’s credit freeze?
Since September 2018, federal law requires the bureaus to let a parent, guardian or other legal representative place a free freeze for a child under 16. The law also covers adults under a guardianship or conservatorship, such as an older parent who can’t manage their own affairs.
Once your child turns 16, they can request a freeze themselves, just like an adult.
Does my child even have a credit report?
Usually not, and that’s normal. A child should have no credit history unless they’re an authorized user on a parent’s card. If a bureau finds a file in your child’s name and you didn’t create it, that can be a red flag for identity theft.
You can ask each bureau whether a credit report exists for your child. The FTC suggests checking around age 16, so there’s time to fix problems before your child needs credit.
Made-up example (for illustration):
Angela gets a letter saying her 9-year-old son’s information may have been exposed in a school software data breach. She requests a minor freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, uploading his birth certificate, Social Security card, her driver’s license and an electric bill. Two bureaus confirm within days; the third mails a letter two weeks later.
When her son turns 18 and applies for a student credit card, he lifts the freezes online for a few days, gets approved, and turns them back on.
Also read: How to freeze your own credit at all three bureaus
Warning signs your child’s identity was stolen
- Your child gets pre-approved credit card offers or collection calls in their name.
- You receive IRS notices saying your child’s Social Security number was already used on a tax return.
- You’re told your child can’t be claimed as a dependent because someone else claimed them.
- Your child is denied government benefits because benefits are already being paid to that SSN.
- A bureau says your child already has a credit file.
If someone already used your child’s identity
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov. You’ll get a recovery plan and an identity theft report.
- Contact each bureau’s fraud department and ask them to remove the fraudulent accounts and file.
- Call each company where the thief opened an account and explain it was opened in a minor’s name. A child can’t legally sign most credit contracts.
- Place the freeze once the file is cleaned up.
- Contact the IRS if the SSN was used on a tax return. The IRS Identity Protection PIN program can help protect future filings.
Freeze vs. fraud alert vs. monitoring
| Tool | Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Free | Blocks most new credit until you lift it |
| Fraud alert | Free | Asks lenders to verify identity; lasts 1 year (7 years for theft victims) |
| Paid monitoring | Varies | Alerts you after something happens; doesn’t block it |
For children, a freeze usually beats paid monitoring. Monitoring tells you after the damage; a freeze blocks most of it in the first place.
Other ways to protect your child’s SSN
- Don’t carry the Social Security card. Keep it at home in a locked place.
- Ask why it’s needed. Schools, sports leagues and doctors often don’t need the full number. Ask if they can use another ID.
- Shred papers that show your child’s SSN or birth date.
- Watch school breach notices. Act on them quickly.
- Teach older kids not to share personal details online or in games.
How to lift or remove the freeze later
Your child will need to lift the freeze before applying for credit, an apartment or some jobs. Before 16, the parent manages it. After 16, the child can take control by contacting each bureau with proof of identity. Lifting a freeze is free and, when requested online or by phone, must be done within 1 hour under federal law; mail requests take up to 3 business days.
Where to find each bureau’s minor freeze page
| Bureau | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Equifax | equifax.com, search “minor freeze” or credit freeze for a child |
| Experian | experian.com/freeze, then choose the option to freeze for a minor |
| TransUnion | transunion.com/credit-freeze, then the child or dependent option |
Each bureau sets its own process and forms, and the steps can change. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link in an email, and never pay a third party to freeze your child’s credit; it’s free directly from the bureaus.
Should you also get an IRS Identity Protection PIN?
An IP PIN is a 6-digit number that stops anyone else from filing a federal tax return with a Social Security number. Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can request one through the IRS. For kids, parents may be able to get an IP PIN for a dependent, depending on IRS verification rules. It’s free and adds another layer of protection against tax-related identity theft.
A new IP PIN is issued each year, so keep the IRS notice or check your IRS online account before filing.
What about teens 16 and 17?
Once your child turns 16, the bureaus generally treat them like an adult for freezes. They can place, lift or remove a freeze on their own, using their own ID and proof of address. Many teens don’t have a driver’s license or bills in their name yet, so they may need a state ID card, a school record or a letter from a government agency.
This is a good age for a money talk. Show your teen how a freeze works, where the PINs are stored, and how to check their credit reports for free. Building these habits early makes it easier for them to protect their own identity when they leave home for college or work.
If you placed a freeze when your child was younger, it stays in place after 16. Your teen can take it over by contacting each bureau.
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FAQ
Is it free to freeze a child’s credit?
Yes. Federal law makes credit freezes free for children under 16 and for adults.
At what age can I freeze my child’s credit?
Any age under 16, including newborns. After 16, your child can request it themselves.
Will a freeze hurt my child’s future credit?
No. A freeze doesn’t affect credit scores. Your child just lifts it when they need to apply for credit.
Can I freeze my child’s credit online?
Some bureaus offer online or upload options for minors; others require mail. Check each bureau’s minor freeze page.
What documents do I need?
Typically the child’s birth certificate and Social Security card, your photo ID, proof of address, and court papers if you’re a guardian.
Bottom line
A child’s credit freeze is free, works at all three bureaus, and is available for any child under 16. It takes about an hour and can save your child years of cleanup. Do it now, especially after any school or medical data breach.
Last reviewed: Nov. 11, 2026.
Sources: FTC: How to protect your child from identity theft, FTC: Credit freezes and fraud alerts, CFPB: Free credit freezes, IdentityTheft.gov, IRS: Identity Protection PIN, Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.
Featured image: Children at a rural school bus stop. Photo: Paul Sequeira / U.S. National Archives (Wikimedia Commons), public domain; edited by Nexgen Headlines.
