12 C.F.R. § 1002.10
§ 1002.10 Furnishing of credit information. (12 CFR Part 1002)
Operative Text
(a) Designation of accounts. A creditor that furnishes credit information shall designate: (1) Any new account to reflect the participation of both spouses if the applicant's spouse is permitted to use or is contractually liable on the account (other than as a guarantor, surety, endorser, or similar party); and (2) Any existing account to reflect such participation, within 90 days after receiving a written request to do so from one of the spouses. (b) Routine reports to consumer reporting agency. If a creditor furnishes credit information to a consumer reporting agency concerning an account designated to reflect the participation of both spouses, the creditor shall furnish the information in a manner that will enable the agency to provide access to the information in the name of each spouse. (c) Reporting in response to inquiry. If a creditor furnishes credit information in response to an inquiry, concerning an account designated to reflect the participation of both spouses, the creditor shall furnish the information in the name of the spouse about whom the information is requested.
Section 1002.10 of 12 CFR Part 1002 governs how creditors must label and report credit account information when both spouses participate in an account. When a spouse is permitted to use or is contractually liable on an account, the account must be designated to reflect both spouses' participation — either at account opening or within 90 days of a written request for an existing account. When that account information is reported to consumer reporting agencies or provided in response to inquiries, it must be accessible or attributed in each spouse's name, so that both individuals can build a credit history from the shared account.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who extend credit — such as through installment payment arrangements or other financing — and who report that credit activity to consumer reporting agencies should be aware of the designation requirements under § 1002.10. A compliant operator generally reviews new accounts at origination to determine whether a spouse is an authorized user or contractually liable, applies the joint-participation designation at that time, and processes written requests to redesignate existing accounts within the 90-day window the rule establishes. When furnishing routine reports or responding to inquiries about jointly designated accounts, compliant operators structure their reporting so that the information is accessible under each spouse's name.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 1002.10, tenants and other consumers who are married and share a credit account have a right to have that account reflect both spouses' participation, which can be important for building an independent credit history. If an existing account does not already carry that designation, a written request to the creditor triggers a 90-day window within which the creditor must update the account's designation. Consumers who believe a creditor has not honored these requirements may consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, contacting a tenant-rights or consumer-rights organization, or exploring other enforcement paths available under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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