How to dispute by mail: certified mail and what to enclose
Last updated: Sources checked: September 2026
A mailed dispute is a letter to the bureau that names each error, says why it is wrong, and encloses copies of your proof. Send it by certified mail with a return receipt. The receipt shows the date the bureau received it, and that date starts the 30-day clock.
Online disputes work too, and the legal process is the same. Mail gives you a paper trail.
Where to send it
| Bureau | Mail disputes to |
|---|---|
| Equifax | Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 |
| Experian | Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 |
| TransUnion | TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000 |
If the address on your own report differs, use the one on your report.
What the letter says
A short, plain letter works best. It should include:
- Your full name, current address, and date of birth.
- The report number or confirmation number from the report you are disputing.
- For each item: the creditor name, the last four digits of the account number, what is wrong, and why.
- A request that the bureau investigate under section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and correct or delete the item.
- A list of what you enclosed.
Keep a copy of the letter. The free Error Detection Kit includes a starter letter with bracketed fields.
What to enclose
- A copy of the page of your report with the disputed items marked.
- Copies of your proof: statements, payment confirmations, letters, a discharge order, or an identity theft report, depending on the item.
- A copy of a government-issued ID and proof of address if the bureau asks for them.
Send copies. Never send originals.
Why certified mail
Certified mail with a return receipt gives you two things. You get proof of the date the bureau received the letter, and you get proof that it was received at all. The bureau’s 30 days run from that date, so the receipt is how you know when the deadline is. See the 30-day timeline.
Standard mail has no proof of delivery. Without a receipt, you cannot show when the clock started.
One dispute per bureau, per issue
Send a separate letter to each bureau that shows the error. Describe each item clearly. If you sent a dispute and have new information, send it as a new dispute and say what is new.
Do this today
Write your letter in a plain document first, with one paragraph per item. Save it before you print it.