Before beginning the bankruptcy process it might be helpful to get your credit report in order. Your credit report states your home address, how you pay bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. The information in your report is sold to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses. They use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

To obtain your credit report you can either go to the website the three nationwide consumer reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion-have set up, call 1-877-322-8228, complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three companies separately. They only provide free annual credit reports through the abovementioned website or the toll-free phone number provided above, or by contacting them via the mail at: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

You may request your credit reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies simultaneously, or you can make your request to only one or two of them. You are permitted by law to order one free copy from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every twelve months.

You must provide your name, address, SSN, and date of birth. If you have relocated within the last two years, you may have to submit your prior address. In the interest of maintaining the security of your file you may be asked for information that only you would know, such as the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may request different information because each may have information from different sources contained in your file.