Products / Soft pull credit API
Soft pull credit API for real-time prequalification
The CRS soft pull credit API returns a full-file credit report through a soft inquiry. Lenders and marketplaces use it to show applicants the terms they may qualify for before a formal application.
The pull does not affect the consumer’s credit score.
POST /credit-report
{
"product": "prequalification",
"inquiry_type": "soft",
"bureaus": ["equifax"],
"applicant": { "first_name": "Jordan", "last_name": "Avery", ... }
}- Credit score impact
- None
- Visible to other lenders
- No
- Typical use
- Prequalification and offer matching
At a glance
Last updated: October 2026
- Score impact
- Nonefor the consumer.
- Inquiry type
- Soft.Switch to hard with one flag in the same schema.
- Data returned
- Full Equifax File Onetradeline section, inquiries, and public-record alerts.
- Scores
- FICO or VantageScore,optional.
- Required inputs
- First name, last name, full 9-digit SSN, and current U.S. address. Middle name, suffix, and date of birth are optional.
- Bureaus
- One, two, or three bureaus,set with a single flag.
- Response time
- Under 2 secondsfor a single-bureau pull.
- Delivery
- API, SFTP batch, or MISMO feed.
- Uptime
- 99.9%
- Security
- SOC 2 Type II Certified
Options
Two ways to prequalify applicants
Both run through the same CRS API.
Why CRS
Why teams prequalify with CRS
One schema for soft and hard
Prequalify and underwrite through the same integration. Escalating is a flag change, not a second build.
Three bureaus, one integration
Pull one, two, or three bureaus. If your primary bureau is down, switch to another without new code.
Built for production
99.9% uptime, SOC 2 Type II certification, and US-based support.
Compliance
Soft pulls still need a permissible purpose
- A soft inquiry protects the consumer’s score. It does not remove your obligations.
- CRS confirms your permissible purpose for each product during onboarding, before production access.
- Prequalification and prescreening are different motions with different rules.
Developers
For developers
Soft and hard pulls share one endpoint and one response schema. Responses arrive in CRS Standard Format, so every bureau reads the same way. Start in the docs, then test against your own decision logic.
- Tradelines
- Inquiries
- Public-record alerts
- FICO or VantageScore, when requested
FAQ
What is a soft pull credit API?
A soft pull credit API returns a consumer’s credit report through a soft inquiry. Lenders use it to prequalify applicants and match offers before a formal application. The CRS version returns a full-file report. It switches to a hard pull with one flag in the same schema.
Does a soft pull affect the consumer’s credit score?
No. A soft inquiry does not affect the consumer’s credit score. That makes it safe to run early in a funnel and as often as your use case allows. A hard inquiry, used for formal credit decisions, can lower the score and is visible to other lenders.
What data does the CRS soft pull return?
The response returns the full Equifax File One tradeline section, inquiries, and public-record alerts. A FICO or VantageScore is optional. Responses arrive in CRS Standard Format, so every bureau reads the same way.
What do I need to send with a CRS soft pull request?
Send the applicant’s first name, last name, full 9-digit SSN, and current U.S. address. Middle name, suffix, and date of birth are optional. The applicant submits these details and consents to a soft credit check.
Can I pull more than one bureau with CRS?
Yes. Pull one, two, or three bureaus, set with a single flag. If your primary bureau is down, switch to another without new code.
How do I move from a soft pull to a hard pull with CRS?
Send the same request with the inquiry flag set to hard. Soft and hard pulls share one endpoint and one response schema. Escalating is a flag change, not a second build.
When should I use OffersIQ instead of a soft pull?
Use OffersIQ to match consumers to eligible offers from name and address alone. It runs as a prescreen, not a soft pull. Use the soft pull when you need a full-file credit report. Both run through the same CRS API.
How fast is a CRS soft pull?
A single-bureau soft pull returns in under 2 seconds. Delivery options include API, SFTP batch, and MISMO feed. CRS maintains 99.9% uptime. If your primary bureau is unavailable, one integration lets you switch to another bureau without new code. Ask our team about timing for multi-bureau files.