Credit Freeze Laws by State: Always Up to Date!

ElitePersonalFinance
Last Update: August 31, 2021 Credit Report Identity Theft

Many sites list credit freeze fees by state. We checked these sites, and almost none of them are updated in full! A person from our team is responsible for this list to be always up to date!!!

Update: Equifax is offering free credit freezes.

Before November 1st, 2007, only certain states would allow you to place a security freeze on your credit file. Since then, each state has adopted a special credit freeze law; now, everyone in the United States can request freezes to their credit reports through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Note: Still not sure what credit freezes are exactly? Read up on it here: what is a credit freeze?

How Credit Freeze Laws Differ by State?

As there are no federal laws in place, there will be many differences between how credit freezes differ by state. Most notably, the cost of placing, lifting, and removing a credit freeze can vary a lot by state.

Identity theft victims can place a credit freeze for free, but states still have limitations beyond the initial free freeze placement.

When you consider the placement of a credit freeze on your credit file, it is important to know your state’s implications in the matter. Many things can vary, especially the cost of placing, temporarily lifting, and permanently removing the freeze.

Once you place the freeze:

  • Any new lenders will need the credit bureau’s permission to release the file to them, meaning you can stop unwarranted hard inquiries.
    The credit bureaus will prevent all new creditors from pulling your file unless your prior authorization is given.
  • You get a PIN from each credit report bureaus, the number you must give to lift or remove the freeze from your report.
  • If you never lift the freeze, it will automatically expire after 7 years in certain states.
  • Placing a freeze electronically usually takes 15 minutes.
  • Placing a freeze by mail usually takes 3 business days.

Date Range vs. Specific Party Lift, What is The Difference?

You will notice different pricing and availability based on whether your temporary lift is for a specific party or available for a date range instead.

Here is the difference.

A date range would be whether you want your file available to all the lenders you inquire to, and therefore the freeze is completely removed for a specific number of days.

A specific party would be where you know the lender who wants to see your file, and you give the credit bureau permission to release it to them only.

You have to pay separately for each pull request for a ‘specific party’ lift.

Warning: Placing a credit freeze will not prevent an identity thief from taking over your current credit accounts, as any of your active creditors will be able to pull your file still.

Credit Freeze Laws by State

Alabama

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Alabama was made effective on May 16th in 2012.

Alaska

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $2

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Alaska was made effective on July 1st in 2009.

Arizona

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: A credit freeze can be placed, lifted, or removed for free on the file of a minor under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Arizona was made effective on August 31 in 2008.

Arkansas

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: Seniors 65 and older qualify to place, lift, and remove a security freeze at no cost.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Arkansas was made effective on February 20th in 2009.

California

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: For non-victim seniors 65 and older, it costs $5 for each placement, lift, or removal action that gets requested.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in California was made effective on September 27th in 2012.

Colorado

Placing a freeze: First free, and then $10 each

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, $12 for a specific party

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Colorado’s identity theft victims are still required to pay for subsequent placements and any temporary lifts or removals. They face the same cost as non-victims.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Colorado was made effective on July 1st in 2006.

Connecticut

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, $12 for a specific party

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: If you are an identity theft victim, the spouse of a victim, or a victim of domestic violence, you will qualify for free placement, lifting, and removal. A minor under 18 years of age can have a security freeze placed and removed by their parent or guardian but not temporarily lifted. Seniors 62 years of age and up also qualify for free credit freezes.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Connecticut was made effective on January 1st in 2006.

Delaware

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: Seniors 65 and older must pay $5 to place, and then they can lift and/or remove the freeze at no cost. A parent or guardian can also place, lift, and remove a freeze for free on behalf of a disabled individual or a minor under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Delaware was made effective on October 1st in 2006.

District of Columbia

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: Free

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in the District of Columbia was made effective on July 1st in 2007.

Florida

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Seniors 65 and older qualify for free placement and removal but still face the $10 cost for a date range lift. It costs $10 for a parent or guardian to place or removes a security freeze for a minor under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Florida was made effective on July 1st in 2006.

Georgia

Placing a freeze: $3

Lifting a freeze: $3 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $3

Important: Placing and removing a security freeze for a minor under 16 years of age is free. Seniors qualify for free placement but must pay $3 for a date range lift and $3 to delete the freeze.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Georgia was made effective on August 1st in 2008.

Hawaii

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Hawaii was made effective on January 1st in 2007.

Idaho

Placing a freeze: $6

Lifting a freeze: $6

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Idaho was made effective on July 1st in 2008.

Illinois

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: The parent or guardian of a minor under 18 years of age can pay $10 to either place or remove a security freeze. Anyone between 18 and 21 years of age living in a guardian’s care can also have their freeze placed and removed for free. Seniors 65 and older qualify for free placement and removal but must pay $10 for any temporary lift. Active-duty military service members get all these services for free by supplying a copy of their service orders.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Illinois was made effective on January 1st in 2006.

Indiana

Placing a freeze: Free

Lifting a freeze: Free

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: A parent or guardian of a minor under 16 years of age can place or remove a security freeze on behalf of the child.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Indiana was made effective on September 1st in 2007.

Iowa

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $12 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: A security freeze can be placed or removed for $5 by the parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Iowa was made effective on July 1st in 2008.

Kansas

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: A date range lift can be requested through Equifax at no cost, but the other credit bureaus will charge.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Kansas was made effective on April 20th in 2009.

Kentucky

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: The security freeze will automatically expire in 7 years from the date of placement. You can renew it when the time comes — for another seven years.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Kentucky was made effective on July 12th in 2006.

Louisiana

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $8 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: A parent or guardian can place and remove a security freeze on a minors’ file, so long as the child is under 16 years of age. A 62 or older senior can request a placement, date range lift, or removal at no cost.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Louisiana was made effective on January 1st in 2015.

Maine

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, $12 for a specific party

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: If you request a minor under 16, there will be no fee to place or remove the free.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Maine was made effective on October 1st in 2006.

Maryland

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: Minors under 16 years can place and delete credit freeze for $5 each by the child’s parent or guardian.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Maryland was made effective on January 1st in 2008.

Massachusetts

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: With proper evidence, an identity theft victim’s spouse will qualify for free placement of Massachusetts’s security freeze.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Massachusetts was made effective on October 31st in 2007.

Michigan

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: An appointed guardian can request on behalf of an incapacitated individual at no cost. Parents and guardians can also place and remove credit freezes on children’s credit files under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Michigan was made effective on August 1st in 2006.

Minnesota

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Minnesota was made effective on August 1st in 2006.

Mississippi

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Mississippi was made effective on July 1st in 2007.

Missouri

Placing a freeze: $5 for the first, $10 for each after

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Missouri was made effective on August 28th in 2008.

Montana

Placing a freeze: $3

Lifting a freeze: $3

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Montana was made effective on July 1st in 2007.

Nebraska

Placing a freeze: $3

Lifting a freeze: $3 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: The security freeze will automatically expire in 7 years from the date of placement. You can renew it when the time comes — for another seven years. If you are under 19 years of age, you will qualify to place the security freeze on your credit file at no cost.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Nebraska was made effective on April 8th in 2009.

Nevada

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Seniors at least 65 years of age qualify for free placement, lifting, and removing their security freeze.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Nevada was made effective on October 1st in 2005.

New Hampshire

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent security freeze laws in New Hampshire were made effective on January 1st in 2007.

New Jersey

Placing a freeze: Free

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: Identity theft victims can place security freezes on their credit reports at no cost. There is a $5 fee for victims looking to lift or permanently remove their freeze temporarily.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in New Jersey was made effective on January 1st in 2006.

New Mexico

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: Seniors at least 65 years of age qualify for free placement, lifting, and removing their security freeze.

The most recent security freeze laws in New Mexico were made effective on July 1st in 2007.

New York

Placing a freeze: First free, $5 for each after

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: A security freeze can be placed on a minors’ file; there is a $15 cost for placing and removing the freeze.

The most recent security freeze laws in the New York legislature were made effective on November 1st in 2006.

North Carolina

Placing a freeze: $3 by mail or phone, free when done online

Lifting a freeze: Free

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: Identity theft victims AND their spouses can place, lift, and remove their freeze at no cost, but documented proof of the identity crime must first be supplied. A freeze can be placed and removed on a minors’ file for $5 per action. Seniors 62 years and above qualify for free freeze services as well.

The most recent security freeze laws in North Carolina were made effective on December 1st in 2005.

North Dakota

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent security freeze laws in North Dakota were made effective on May 1st in 2009.

Ohio

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $5

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Ohio was made effective on September 1st in 2008.

Oklahoma

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Seniors 65 years or older can place and remove a freeze at no cost, but they must pay $10 for a date range lift.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Oklahoma was made effective on January 1st in 2007.

Oregon

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: A parent or guardian can place or remove a freeze on the credit report under 16 years of age for $10 per action.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Oregon was made effective on October 1st in 2007.

Pennsylvania

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: The security freeze will automatically expire in 7 years from the date of placement. You can renew it when the time comes — for another seven years. Seniors 65 years or older can place and remove a freeze for free, but it will cost $10 for each temporary lift.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Pennsylvania was made effective on January 1st in 2007.

Puerto Rico

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Rhode Island

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Seniors 65 and older do not need to pay to place, lift, or remove a security freeze from their credit report.

The most recent security freeze laws in Rhode Island were made effective on January 1st in 2007.

South Carolina

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: A freeze can be placed or removed on the file of a minor under 16 years of age by a parent or an appointed guardian.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in South Carolina was made effective on December 31st in 2008.

South Dakota

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: The security freeze will automatically expire in 7 years from the date of placement. You can renew it when the time comes — for another seven years.

The most recent security freeze laws in South Dakota were made effective on July 1st in 2006.

Tennessee

Placing a freeze: $7.50

Lifting a freeze: Free for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $5

Important: A parent or appointed guardian can place or remove a freeze at no cost on behalf of a child under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Tennessee was made effective on September 1st in 2008.

Texas

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, $12 for specific

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: Minors under 16 years of age can freeze their files by their parents or appointed guardians.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Texas was made effective on September 1st in 2003.

Utah

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: Free

Important: A parent or an appointed guardian can request free placement and removal for minors under 16 years of age.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Utah was made effective on September 1st in 2008.

Vermont

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $5

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Vermont was made effective on July 1st in 2006.

Virginia

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: Free

Removing a freeze: Free

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Virginia was made effective on July 1st in 2009.

Washington

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

Important: These requests are available at no cost for seniors 65 years and up.

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Washington was made effective on July 24th in 2005.

West Virginia

Placing a freeze: $5

Lifting a freeze: $5 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $5

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in West Virginia was made effective on June 8th in 2007.

Wisconsin

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Wisconsin was made effective on January 1st in 2007.

Wyoming

Placing a freeze: $10

Lifting a freeze: $10 for a date range, a specific party not available

Removing a freeze: $10

The most recent legislature for security freeze laws in Wyoming was made effective on July 1st in 2007.

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