 TITLE: When Is a Credit File Created? CONTENT: When Does Your Credit Report Start?\n-----------------------------------\nYou're not assigned a credit report at a certain age or given one at birth. You'll first have to have a credit file with a credit bureau. Then, when your credit report is requested, the bureau will look through its database to find information related to you and compile it to create your credit report.\nBecause creditors may not report to all three bureaus equally, your credit report may look different depending on the bureau providing it. It also may differ depending on who requested it. For instance, when you request a copy of your credit report, you'll see a list of your recent hard and soft inquiries. But a lender may get a copy that only has hard inquiries.\nIf a credit file exists for a minor, credit bureaus might not disclose the information about them in their databases. Parents sometimes add their children as authorized users on credit cards, and the credit card issuer may report the account to the credit bureaus under the child's name. But if a creditor requested the child's credit report, Experian would respond saying it won't provide the information because the credit history is associated with a minor.\nA parent, legal guardian or the minor themselves (once they're 14) can request a minor's credit report. Once the child turns 18, Experian will share their credit history, and the authorized user account could help the child's credit. END