Credit Bureaus - Address Update?

[Brusilov]

How long does it take for the bureaus to typically update your address?  When applying for new credit does it matter than your application address is listed the same as on your report, or just the same as your billing address for most items?

I noticed Experian updated along with my Wells Fargo card at that statement date (15th), but the others have yet to do so.

[nothingman02]

When you want to update/change your address with a CRA, typically you would have to send them a letter with a proof of your new address and identification.

However, the CRAs also 'add' or 'update' your address from what they receive from your monthly or first time CCC reporting. I know this is how Equifax keeps changing your address. If CC1 reports to EQ with address1, then your address changes and changes again when CC2 reports your statement with a different address. Or so Ive come to understand. The above notwithstanding, its not a problem, since each and every address is maintained in the database and there'd not be a conflict or rejection of statement or any such issue.

[nothingman02]

Also to be specific to your question, No. It does not matter what your address is on the application or billing when applying for a new CC. I never had a problem and I have had CCs approved in NY, LA and AL and was never asked for address verification.However you may be asked for address verification if it is out of the blue.

If you have a credit monitoring service with TU or EXP, I believe you could simply go online to your account and update your address.  When you first signup for the credit monitoring service, they also ask you if you have lived at so and so street blah blah.....thats one of the many ways they keep track of your addresses.I'd say update your addresses with TU and EXP as you can with them, and then apply for a new CC so you wont have problems there.

[Brusilov]

Thanks for the info.  I did try to update my address via TU's dispute process, but it seems you have to provide proof of address in the form of a current utility bill, driver's license, bank statement, etc.  You are able to remove past phone numbers and addresses, though.  Experian doesn't let you get rid of past addresses at all unless they are actually invalid.  I was pretty surprised to see they had my address from when I lived at home in high school, way before I even had a credit history.  They also had an apartment on there I subletted for 2 months!  Crazy.

EQ seems to require a report # for disputes, so I'll probably just wait until I'm due for another free report so I can clean up that one.

I was curious about the applications verifying your identity via your report.  Some pre-approval sites only ask your name, address, and last 4 digits of your SSN...for people with commonly used names that almost sounds like it could be not enough information?  Then again, I don't know the rules used for assigning SSN's.