> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.methodfi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Raw Credit Reports

> Receive the raw bureau credit report behind a Connect as downloadable files.

Connect discovers liabilities using the user's credit report. Teams with raw credit report access enabled can also receive that underlying bureau report itself, as a downloadable raw credit report JSON and/or credit report PDF returned as [Files](/reference/files/overview). Files give you a durable copy of the report (e.g. for compliance archives or underwriting reviews) that can be re-downloaded at any time.

## Prerequisites

* Raw credit report features are enabled on a case-by-case basis. Contact Method to enable these.
* The Entity must be verified and must not have [withdrawn consent](/reference/entities/consent/withdraw).

## Requesting the raw report

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a Connect with artifacts">
    Pass `bureau` and `artifacts` when [creating a Connect](/reference/entities/connect/create):

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl https://production.methodfi.com/entities/ent_au22b1fbFJbp8/connect \
      -X POST \
      -H "Method-Version: 2026-03-30" \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_WyZEWVfTcH7GqmPzUPk65Vjc" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{
        "bureau": "transunion",
        "artifacts": ["raw_credit_report", "credit_report_pdf"]
      }'
    ```

    | Field       | Type    | Notes                                                                                                                              |
    | ----------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `bureau`    | enum    | `transunion` or `equifax`. Required whenever `artifacts` is set. Method will work with your team to set which bureaus are allowed. |
    | `artifacts` | enum\[] | Any of `raw_credit_report`, `credit_report_pdf`. Each becomes a downloadable File on the Connect.                                  |

    <Note>
      Each Connect pulls from a single bureau. To receive credit reports from both bureaus, you will need to make 2 separate Connect calls.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the response">
    The Connect response includes the requested artifacts in `files`:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "id": "cxn_4ewMmBbjYDMR4",
      "entity_id": "ent_au22b1fbFJbp8",
      "status": "completed",
      "accounts": ["acc_eKKmrXDpJBKgw", "acc_GV8WbmJW7KGRy"],
      "requested_products": [],
      "requested_subscriptions": [],
      "files": [
        {
          "id": "file_jZWkPMhXPeYAn",
          "type": "raw_credit_report",
          "bureau": "transunion",
          "mime_type": "application/json"
        },
        {
          "id": "file_qTnUv7DdKcRW2",
          "type": "credit_report_pdf",
          "bureau": "transunion",
          "mime_type": "application/pdf"
        }
      ],
      "error": null,
      "created_at": "2026-07-06T18:00:00.000Z",
      "updated_at": "2026-07-06T18:00:12.000Z"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the file artifacts">
    Note the `file_id`s in the above response and use [Retrieve a File](/reference/files/retrieve) to get the File's metadata, including a temporary `download_url` to its contents:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl https://production.methodfi.com/files/file_jZWkPMhXPeYAn \
      -H "Method-Version: 2026-03-30" \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_WyZEWVfTcH7GqmPzUPk65Vjc"
    ```

    Fetch the `download_url`. A new URL is generated on every retrieve and expires at `download_expires_at`.

    Additionally, you can stream a File's contents directly with [Download a File](/reference/files/download):

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl https://production.methodfi.com/files/file_jZWkPMhXPeYAn/download \
      -H "Method-Version: 2026-03-30" \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_WyZEWVfTcH7GqmPzUPk65Vjc" \
      -o raw_credit_report.json
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Retrieving the raw report later

Files persist after the Connect completes. [Retrieve the Connect](/reference/entities/connect/retrieve) at any time to read its `files` array, then download the contents via the [Files API](/reference/files/overview).

## Webhooks

Connects with products or subscriptions (or the `Prefer: respond-async` header) process asynchronously. Listen for `connect.available` to know when an async Connect (including its artifacts) is ready, and `connect.create` for synchronous completions. See [Connect webhooks](/guides/connect/subscriptions).

## Errors

| `sub_type`                              | Cause                                                         |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CONNECT_BUREAU_REQUIRED_FOR_ARTIFACTS` | `artifacts` sent without `bureau`                             |
| `CONNECT_BUREAU_NOT_CONFIGURED`         | No bureaus have been configured for your team                 |
| `CONNECT_BUREAU_NOT_ENABLED`            | The requested bureau is not in your team's allowed bureaus    |
| `CONNECT_RAW_REPORT_NOT_ENABLED`        | The `raw_credit_report` artifact is not enabled for your team |
| `CONNECT_CREDIT_REPORT_PDF_NOT_ENABLED` | The `credit_report_pdf` artifact is not enabled for your team |

See [Connect errors](/reference/errors/connect-errors) and [File errors](/reference/errors/file-errors) for the full list.

<Note>
  **Handling sensitive data.** The raw credit report contains the consumer's full bureau file. Treat it as highly sensitive: store it encrypted, restrict access, and only retain it as long as your compliance obligations require.
</Note>

For the full API surface, see the [Connect reference](/reference/entities/connect/overview) and the [Files reference](/reference/files/overview).