Yes, you can transfer your three years of credit history from your to your new . The credit bureaus permit this, but they do not do it automatically.
“I built three years of credit history using an ITIN. I just received my SSN after getting my work permit. How do I transfer or merge my credit history to the SSN so I do not start from zero, and what exactly do I tell each credit bureau?”
Summary
You will keep the credit you worked hard to build. Once you notify the bureaus, your credit profile transfers to your new number, so you do not start from zero.
Next steps
Because the credit bureaus do not share these updates with each other automatically, you must contact the IRS, your lenders, and each bureau individually to make sure your history merges correctly.
Notify the IRS to combine your tax records
Before or while dealing with the credit bureaus, write a letter to the IRS stating you were assigned an SSN and want your tax records combined. Include your full name, mailing address, ITIN, a copy of your CP565 Notice of ITIN Assignment, and a copy of your new Social Security card. You can mail this or drop it off at a local IRS office.
Update your existing lenders
Contact your current credit card issuers and lenders directly to update your active accounts with your new SSN. This makes sure your future payments are reported under your new number.
Write to each of the three credit bureaus
You must prepare a separate letter for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A single update does not automatically apply to all of them, and failing to notify them individually can result in split or duplicate credit profiles.
State your request clearly in the letters
In each letter, write your full name, date of birth, previous address, your old ITIN, and your new SSN. Explicitly ask that your existing credit history be transferred to your new SSN and that all future credit be reported under this number.
Include your required enclosures
With each letter, you must enclose a copy of your ITIN, a copy of your new Social Security card, and proof of your identity and current address, such as a utility bill, state ID, or driver's license. Mail these to the dispute or update address for each bureau.
Legal sources
Here are the rules governing how to transfer your credit history from an ITIN to an SSN.
CreditCards.com
You must notify the credit bureaus to transfer your ITIN credit history to your new SSN.
However, now that you have a Social Security number, you must rescind your ITIN, and the credit bureaus must be notified to transfer your credit history associated with your ITIN to one associated with your SSN.
Global Law Advocates
You need to send a separate letter to each of the three credit bureaus.
You should prepare a separate letter for each credit bureau
Credit Recovery Group
Your credit history does not transfer automatically, and failing to notify the bureaus properly can result in two separate credit reports.
Your ITIN and SSN credit histories do NOT automatically merge! If you don’t take the right steps, you could end up with two separate credit reports—one under your ITIN and another under your new SSN.
Global Law Advocates Sample Letter
Your letter to the bureaus must explicitly request the transfer and include copies of your ITIN, Social Security card, and proof of address.
I respectfully ask that my existing credit history be transferred to my new SSN and have all future credit reported under this number. I have enclosed: (1) a copy of my ITIN; [attach a copy of your ITIN] (2) a copy of my Social Security Card; and [attach a copy of your social security card] (3) a utility bill with my name and current address; or (4) a copy of my state identification card or driver’s license with my current address.
SettleKit is not a law firm. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your specific situation with a licensed immigration attorney.
SettleKit is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice.
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