Many thinks that marrying someone with a lower credit score will result in automatically lowering the other spouses’ credit score. This is not true. It is true that after marriage creditors will look at both spouses credit reports. However, individual credit scores that existed prior to the marriage will continue with new credit information added.

Even if you are married, credit applications will require one name above the other. Most often, the name that appears first will be the one that will be used by credit bureaus when credit reports are created and that person’s credit could be affected by the activity of both spouses in regard to a new application made together.

However, by simply marrying a person with a bad credit history will not automatically affects the other spouse’s credit score. Unfortunately, when applied for credit after marriage in both spouses’ names, individual credit reports of both spouses will be looked at. A lousy credit report of one spouse could result in denial, higher interest rate or even less favorable credit terms on a credit application such as mortgage application made together as a married couple. So, be aware of consequences of your actions as a single person may continue to affect you after marriage.