What is a Hard Inquiry on Your Credit Report?

A hard credit check (or "hard pull") happens when you apply for credit. These checks show up on your credit reports for 2 years and can impact your credit score. Here's what you need to know.

What exactly is a hard inquiry?

It's when a lender looks at your credit report as part of your application. This happens whenever you:

• Apply for a credit card

• Open a line of credit

• Take out an auto loan

• Apply for a mortgage

• Request a personal loan

• Apply for private student loans or federal PLUS loans

• Ask for a higher credit limit

• Sometimes when you apply to rent an apartment

How do they affect your score?

Usually not much, typically less than 5 points off your FICO Score, and the impact fades over a year.

But watch out: multiple applications in a short time might suggest financial trouble.

Good news: Rate shopping for mortgages, auto loans, or student loans within 14-45 days counts as just one inquiry, depending on which FICO model is used.

How long do they stay on your report?

Hard inquiries remain visible for 2 years but only affect your score for about a year. The small score drop typically recovers quickly if you handle credit responsibly.

Can you remove hard inquiries?

You can't remove legitimate inquiries. But if you spot one you don't recognize:

1. Contact the listed company first (some lenders use partner firms whose names might not be familiar)

2. If it's unauthorized, call the dispute number on your credit report

3. Check for other signs of identity theft

4. Consider freezing your credit while waiting for the dispute to be resolved (usually 30-45 days)

Keeping hard inquiries in perspective

While hard inquiries can affect your credit score, they're just one small factor in your overall credit health. A single inquiry is nothing to worry about, especially if you're applying for credit you actually need.

What matters most is keeping hard inquiries occasional and purposeful. Before applying for new credit, ask yourself if it's necessary right now or if it could wait until after other recent applications have aged a bit.

Remember these key points:

• Hard inquiries only affect your score for about a year

• Good credit habits (paying on time, keeping balances low) matter much more

• Rate shopping within a short period won't hurt your score multiple times

By understanding how hard inquiries work, you can make smarter decisions about when to apply for credit and maintain a healthy credit profile for the long term.