Last reviewed August 2026
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A Notice of Correction is a short statement - up to 200 words - that you can add to your credit report to explain a negative entry. It doesn't change your credit score, but it gives lenders context that may influence a manual credit decision. You can add one through any of the three UK credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
Sometimes the numbers on your credit file don't tell the full story. A missed payment during a period of illness, a dip in income following redundancy, or a fraud event can all leave marks on your file - marks that look worse without the context behind them.
A Notice of Correction gives you the right to add your own explanation. It doesn't remove the entry, but it means any lender reviewing your file manually will see the reason alongside it.
When a Notice of Correction might help
A Notice of Correction (NOC) is most useful when there's a genuine reason behind a negative entry that a score alone can't capture:
Missed payments due to illness or redundancy
If a period of poor health or sudden job loss caused you to fall behind on payments, a NOC lets you explain the temporary nature of the situation and what has since changed.
Fraud or identity theft
If someone used your details fraudulently and this has affected your credit file, a NOC can flag this clearly for any lender reviewing your report.
Impact from a financial association
If you were financially linked to someone else whose poor credit history has affected yours, a NOC can provide context. This is particularly useful if you've since removed that financial association.
One-off circumstances that have since resolved
A NOC is most effective when the situation is clearly time-limited and your finances have since stabilised. Lenders are more likely to take it into account when the explanation is credible and specific.
How to add a Notice of Correction
You can request a NOC through any of the three UK credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each holds its own version of your credit file, so if you want the NOC to appear across all three you'll need to contact each one separately.
View your credit report
Access your report through Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. All three offer free access. Identify the specific entry you want to add context to.
Write your statement
Keep it under 200 words. Be clear, factual and specific. Explain what happened, when, and why it no longer reflects your current financial situation. Avoid emotional language; stick to the facts.
Submit to the credit reference agency
Contact the agency directly via their website, email or post. They'll review your statement to ensure it's factual and appropriate before adding it to your file.
Your statement becomes visible to lenders
Once added, the NOC appears alongside the relevant entry whenever a lender runs a credit check. Any lender reviewing your file manually will see your explanation in full.
What to include in your statement
Writing tips
- ✓ Keep it under 200 words. This is a firm limit set by the credit reference agencies
- ✓ State the specific entry you're explaining and when it occurred
- ✓ Give a clear, factual reason i.e. illness, redundancy, fraud, or other documented circumstances
- ✓ Explain what has changed since e.g. restored income, recovered health, fraud resolved
- ✓ Avoid vague or emotional language. Lenders respond better to specific, credible explanations
- ✓ You can remove or update the NOC at any time by contacting the agency directly
Common questions about Notices of Correction
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