When you ask about or apply for credit, a lender may check your credit report. There are two types of check: soft searches and hard searches. Lenders use the information to help assess how likely you are to repay what you borrow. The main differences are who can see each search and whether it can affect your credit score.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

What is a hard credit search?

A hard search usually happens when you make a formal application for credit, such as a credit card, loan or mortgage. The lender checks your credit report to help decide whether to lend to you and on what terms.

Hard searches are visible to other lenders who check your report. How long they stay there depends on the credit reference agency. Experian says most hard searches stay on your report for 12 months, and Equifax keeps most search footprints for at least a year. TransUnion says searches are removed from its reports after two years. ClearScore shows your Equifax credit report.

Several hard searches in a short period can affect your credit score. Experian says the effect can last for six months, and Equifax says it may affect your score. TransUnion says searches don't affect your TransUnion credit score, but that many application searches in a short space of time can affect your ability to get credit. Lenders may see several recent applications as a sign that you're relying on credit, so they may decline an application or offer a higher interest rate. As a rule of thumb, Experian suggests no more than two or three applications every few months.

What is a soft credit search?

A soft search is recorded on your credit report, but only you can see it. Other lenders can't see it, and it doesn't affect your credit score.

Soft searches are commonly used when:

• you check your own credit report or score

• you use a lender's eligibility checker before applying

• you get a quote, for example for a loan or insurance (Experian keeps insurance quotation searches for three months)

• a company checks your identity

• a prospective employer runs a credit check. Experian says these checks are recorded only as soft searches and that employers may ask for your permission first. Employers may be able to see information such as debts, payment history and public records like County Court Judgments (CCJs).

Lenders don't all use the same search type for quotes, so you can ask whether a quote will involve a hard or a soft search.

Can lenders see a soft credit search?

No. Soft searches appear on your own credit report, but other lenders can't see them. Experian keeps soft search records for one year.

How eligibility checkers work

An eligibility checker uses a soft search to estimate how likely you are to be accepted before you make a full application. A full application involves a hard search. Because the soft search isn't visible to other lenders, using a checker doesn't affect your credit score.

Eligibility and acceptance are decided by each lender and depend on its own criteria and checks. Checking your eligibility does not guarantee that you'll be accepted. The lender's full checks, including fraud and identity checks, can lead to a different decision.

Credit card providers with eligibility checkers

When we checked each provider's own website on 5 October 2026, the credit card providers below said their eligibility checker would not affect your credit score. Providers are listed in alphabetical order.

• American Express

• Aqua (issued by NewDay Ltd)

• Barclaycard

• Capital One

• Lloyds (Halifax is moving its credit cards to Lloyds; existing Halifax app users can still apply through Halifax)

• Marbles (issued by NewDay Ltd)

• MBNA

• NatWest

• Ocean (a credit broker; the Ocean card is issued by Capital One (Europe) plc)

• Santander

• Tesco Bank (a trading name of Barclays Bank UK PLC)

• TSB

• Vanquis

• Virgin Money (issued by Nationwide Building Society, trading as Virgin Money)

This list doesn't cover the whole market. Other providers not listed here may also offer eligibility checks, and features can change. Check the provider's own website before applying.

Being on the electoral roll helps lenders confirm your name and address, which may help your credit score. Read more about how to improve your credit score.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.