Our guide to everything you need to know about credit searches.

The main reason you have a credit report is so that lenders can look at this information (with your permission) when they need to make a decision on whether or not to lend to you.

Lenders will use your credit report to assess the level of risk they’re taking on when they lend to you. They’ll look at things such as if you’ve paid back your debts in the past, how you’ve paid it back (e.g. on time or late) and how much debt you currently have. Lenders will look at your credit score too, but since this is only giving an indication of what’s in your credit report, they won’t use your credit score alone to make a lending decision.

It won’t always be lenders that want to look at your credit report. Sometimes other types of companies may ask your permission to check your report, such as a potential employer or landlord, if they want to see how well you handle your finances. Debt collection agencies may also check your credit report if they’re trying to find out more information about you.

We’re going to talk about the checks that lenders and other companies carry out on your credit report and which of these might affect your credit score and report.

What is a search?

Searches, also known as credit checks, are when someone looks at your credit report to find out about your borrowing history.

There are two types of searches which we’re going to explain here - soft searches and hard searches.

Soft searches (also known as soft checks or quotation searches)

A soft search is a preliminary credit check. It means a lender will search for some information about you, but will not see all of your credit report information.

These types of credit checks are generally visible only to you and are not usually seen by prospective lenders. You can have multiple soft searches on your credit report, and they do not usually affect your credit report or score.

You can see these on your credit report for a period of 12 months.

These are all types of soft searches:

• When you check your own report, e.g. through ClearScore - checking does not usually affect your score, as it's a soft search generally visible only to you

• When your report is accessed for the purpose of an identity check

• When a lender wants to show you your eligibility for a new financial product (always check this carefully, to avoid a mark on your report).

Hard search vs soft search at a glance

Understanding the difference between a soft credit check and a hard credit check is essential before you apply for any financial product. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you see exactly how they differ.

Hard searches (also known as hard checks or credit application checks)

A hard search is when a lender takes a full look at your credit report (and score). This type of credit check leaves a mark on your credit report, so whenever prospective lenders look at your credit report they can see you applied for credit (and whether you were accepted).

Most hard searches stay visible on your report for about 12 months with Experian (though visibility can vary by credit reference agency; check with your provider).

These are the common reasons someone may carry out a hard search on your report:

• When you apply for a loan, a credit card or a mortgage

• When you apply for a mobile phone contract or certain telecom services (utilities like gas and electricity usually use soft checks). If you’re not sure, check with your provider to find out whether they carry out soft or hard checks on your account.

A hard search can be visible to lenders, and multiple applications in a short period may make you appear riskier. However, if you continue to borrow responsibly, this impact should only be short-term.

If you make several applications for credit in a short period of time, this may have an even greater impact on your credit score. This is because having several hard searches carried out in quick succession may appear to anyone looking at your credit report that you’re desperate for credit, or that you’re suddenly struggling with your current debt.

Even though this may not be the case in reality, this makes you appear to be a riskier person to lend to. Not only is this likely to impact your credit score, but it may also mean you’re rejected for credit or you’re only offered credit at a higher interest rate.

How long do credit searches stay on your report?

One of the most common questions about credit checks is how long they remain visible. The answer depends on the type of search and, in some cases, which credit reference agency holds your report.

How long does a hard search stay on your credit report?

A hard search typically stays on your credit report for 12 months when viewed through Experian. After that period, the record is removed and will no longer be visible to lenders reviewing your report. It's worth noting that the other main UK credit reference agencies - Equifax and TransUnion - may display hard searches for a similar period, but exact timelines can vary slightly. You can check the details with your provider or by viewing your credit report through ClearScore.

How long does it take for a hard search to appear on your credit report?

In most cases, a hard search will show on your credit report within a few days of you submitting a credit application. Some lenders report searches almost immediately, while others may take up to two weeks. If you've recently applied for credit and don't see the search on your report straight away, give it a little time before raising a concern - but if it still hasn't appeared after a couple of weeks, it may be worth contacting the lender directly.

How long does a soft search stay on your credit file?

Soft searches remain visible on your credit file for up to 12 months, but generally only to you. A lender, landlord, or employer will not usually see a soft search when they review your report. Because they do not usually affect your score and are generally not visible to others, there's no need to worry about how many soft searches appear on your file.

Do hard searches affect your credit score permanently?

No. The effect of a hard search on your credit score is temporary. Most people see their score recover within a few months, provided they continue to manage their credit responsibly. Once the hard search drops off your report - usually after 12 months - it should no longer be visible to lenders reviewing your credit file, though individual lenders may retain their own internal records. The key is to avoid clustering multiple hard searches in a short window, as this can create a pattern that lenders view less favourably.

Avoiding unnecessary hard searches

Frustratingly, you often won’t know the exact interest rate or credit limit you’ll be offered until you’ve had a hard search carried out on your credit report. This isn’t helpful if you’re trying to avoid making multiple credit applications.

However, if you use an eligibility checker before you apply, you can make smarter decisions about which products to apply for and which to avoid. (Eligibility checkers use soft searches so you can do this as much as you want). Some brokers will also show you the credit limit you’re likely to get offered before you apply, which means you can also make applications based on products that you know are likely to give you the credit limit you want.

Eligibility results are indicative only and do not guarantee acceptance, credit limit or the rate you will receive. Acceptance and offered terms can change after a full application and hard search.

You can use ClearScore (a credit broker, not a lender) and its soft search technology to check your eligibility for products before you apply.

Checking your search history

Your ClearScore credit report will always show when someone has checked your report.

Checking over your search history may be helpful if you’re wanting to carefully plan any credit applications. This will help you avoid applying multiple times in a short period (which could negatively affect your credit score). Checking your searches history can also help you identify early signs of identity fraud in the event that someone is trying to take out credit in your name.

Next step: see your credit searches in your credit report.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender. ClearScore is a trading name of Clear Score Technology Limited.

Written by Hannah Patnick

ClearScore Communications Lead

In her previous life Hannah was a consumer journalist making primetime television shows. Now she's ClearScore's Content Producer. Amongst her many talents, Hannah is famed for her excellent tea-making skills.

How much does a hard search affect your credit score?

There's no single, universal answer to how much a hard search will lower your credit score, because every credit reference agency uses its own scoring model and every individual's report is different. However, there are some general patterns that can help you understand what to expect.

Typical score impact of a single hard search

For most people, a single hard search will cause only a small, temporary dip in their credit score - often just a handful of points. If you have a well-established credit history with a track record of on-time payments and low credit utilisation, a single hard search is unlikely to make a meaningful difference to your overall profile. If your credit history is thinner or you already have several recent searches on file, the impact of an additional one may be slightly more noticeable.

How many hard searches is too many?

There's no official threshold that defines "too many" hard searches, but lenders tend to become cautious when they see several within a short period - particularly within the space of three to six months. Two or three hard searches on your credit report in quick succession could start to raise questions, especially if the applications were for different types of credit. The concern for lenders is that a flurry of applications may signal financial difficulty, even if that isn't the case.

Does the impact differ by type of credit application?

In principle, a hard search is a hard search regardless of whether it's for a credit card, a personal loan, or a mortgage. However, lenders may interpret the context differently. For instance, multiple mortgage searches within a short window are often understood as rate shopping - comparing deals from different providers - and some scoring models account for this by grouping them together. Multiple applications for different types of unsecured credit in the same period are more likely to be viewed as a risk signal.

How quickly does your score recover after a hard search?

Most people find that their score begins to recover within one to three months after a hard search, assuming no other negative changes appear on their report. The search itself becomes progressively less significant as time passes, and once it drops off your report entirely - usually after 12 months - it should no longer affect your score. The best way to support a quick recovery is to keep up with existing repayments and avoid making further credit applications unless necessary.

How does a soft credit check work?

A soft credit check is carried out when a company - or you - accesses a limited view of your credit information. Unlike a hard search, a soft search doesn't involve a full review of your credit report. Instead, it pulls just enough data to confirm your identity or give a preliminary indication of your creditworthiness.

What information does a soft search reveal to the checker?

When a soft credit search is done, the checker typically sees a summary rather than the full picture. This usually includes your name and address details, a high-level view of your existing accounts, and whether there are any public records such as County Court Judgements (CCJs) or insolvencies. They won't see the full repayment history or detailed account information that a hard search would reveal. This limited data is enough for tasks like eligibility checks and identity verification, but not enough for a full lending decision.

Do you need to give permission for a soft search?

Not always. Some soft searches happen automatically - for example, when a company runs an identity check as part of anti-fraud or anti-money-laundering processes. When you check your own report through a service like ClearScore, that also counts as a soft search. Lenders running pre-approval or eligibility checks may carry out a soft search without a formal credit application, although reputable providers will always be transparent about this.

Can a soft search turn into a hard search?

A soft search itself will never convert into a hard search automatically. However, if you see a pre-approved offer generated by a soft search and then decide to go ahead with a full application, the lender will carry out a hard search at that point. This is why it's worth reading the terms carefully when you're shown an offer - make sure you understand whether clicking "apply" will trigger a hard credit check on your report.