Debt Validation Request

Require a debt collector to prove the debt is valid and that they have the legal right to collect it. Must be sent within 30 days of first contact.

Fill in your information

Your Full Name

Your Mailing Address

Collection Agency Name

Collection Agency Address

Account or Reference Number

Amount Claimed (if known)

Letter Preview Updates as you type

Where to send this form

Deadline

Must be sent within 30 days of first collector contact

Method

USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt

Legal authority

Law FDCPA Section 809

Timeline Collector must stop collection until validation is provided

Send via Certified Mail

USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt creates a timestamped legal record of delivery - important if you need to file a complaint or lawsuit later.

Other free forms

Save your forms

Create a free account to save filled forms to your dashboard and access them anytime.

Create Free Account

Educational content only. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or personal financial advice. Results vary. Laws and bureau processes change. Consult the CFPB, FTC, and AnnualCreditReport.com for authoritative guidance. Full disclaimer

Save your progress — it's free

Create a free account to save tool results, dispute letter drafts, and track your credit improvement checklist.

Explore more from That.You Credit

Credit Score Guides

Ranges, factors, and improvement plans

Credit Report Disputes

Templates, timelines, and tactics

Your Consumer Rights

FCRA, FDCPA, and federal laws

Debt Relief Options

Consolidation, settlements, bankruptcy

Identity Theft

Freeze, disputes, and recovery steps

Credit Monitoring

Free tools and alert setup

Collections & Charge-offs

Zombie debt, pay-for-delete, and more

Building Credit

Secured cards, authorized users, and more

Debt Payoff Calculator

Credit Utilization Tool

Budget Planner

Balance Transfer Savings

Debt-to-Income Calculator

Emergency Fund Calculator

Common Questions — Quick Answers

→ What is a good credit score? → What factors make up my FICO score? → Does checking my score hurt it? → How long do items stay on my report? → How to get a free credit report? → Can I dispute accurate negative info? → What is pay-for-delete? → What is zombie debt? → What are my FDCPA rights? → Does a credit freeze hurt my accounts? → How long to build credit from scratch? → Is credit repair legal?

${body}