Married or thinking about getting married? You’re probably wondering if and how getting married will affect your credit score. Will your spouse’s credit will affect yours or vice versa? In marriage, much of your life is combined; does that include your credit?
What Happens To Your Credit When You Marry

In most cases, nothing will happen to your credit after you exchange your “I dos.” You and your spouse will each continue to have separate credit reports containing your credit history. Your spouse’s credit history won’t appear on your credit report. Neither will your information appear on your spouse’s credit report. So, if your spouse a negative credit history, no one will ever know by looking at your credit report.

If the wife chooses to change her name, the new name will be reflected on her credit report. The theory that a wife changing her name erases her past credit history is not true. Since her credit report information is directly tied to her social security number, her credit report will continue to contain history under her maiden name and her married name.

Your credit score won’t drop simply because you marry someone with a bad credit history. Neither will your score improve on basis of your spouse’s good credit score. Each spouses’ credit score will continue to be calculated based on the information in his or her own credit report.
When Does Your Spouse's Credit Affect Yours

If you and your spouse apply jointly for a credit card or loan, both your credit scores will be checked to approve the application. If one or both of you have bad credit, there’s a chance your application won’t be approved. Or, if the application’s approved, the interest rate and fees might be higher than if the spouse with the higher credit score applied separately.

With joint accounts, the history of the account is reported on both spouses’ credit reports, even if only one spouse actually uses the account. Both spouses’ are responsible for making credit card and loan payments. Furthermore, if the account becomes delinquent, the creditor or lender will attempt to collect from both spouses.
When One Spouse Has Bad Credit

When you and your spouse have different credit scores, you have to decide how you want to handle credit-based applications. Will the spouse with better credit make all the applications to get better rates? Will you apply jointly and accept higher interest rates to improve the other spouse’s credit score? These decisions depend on your financial situation and priorities.