Negative items on your credit report eventually fall off — but timing varies by item type. Here’s exactly how long each type of entry stays on your report.
Quick answer: Most negative items stay 7 years. Bankruptcies stay 7-10 years. Positive accounts can stay 10 years after closing. Hard inquiries fall off after 2 years.
Credit Report Item Duration Summary
| Item Type | How Long It Stays | Clock Starts From |
|---|---|---|
| Late payments (30-90 days) | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
| Late payments (120+ days) | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
| Collection accounts | 7 years | Date of original delinquency |
| Charge-offs | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | 10 years | Filing date |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 7 years | Filing date |
| Foreclosure | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
| Repossession | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
| Tax liens (unpaid) | Indefinitely | Date filed |
| Tax liens (paid) | 7 years | Date paid |
| Hard inquiries | 2 years | Date of inquiry |
| Civil judgments | 7 years | Date of judgment |
| Closed accounts (good standing) | 10 years | Date closed |
| Open accounts (good standing) | Indefinitely | While open |
Detailed Breakdown by Item Type
Late Payments
| Days Late | Duration | Credit Score Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days late | 7 years | -60 to -110 points |
| 60 days late | 7 years | -70 to -120 points |
| 90 days late | 7 years | -80 to -130 points |
| 120+ days late | 7 years | -90 to -150 points |
Impact decreases over time: A 30-day late payment from 5 years ago hurts much less than one from 5 months ago.
Collections
| Collection Status | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid collection | 7 years | From original delinquency date |
| Paid collection | 7 years | Clock doesn’t restart when you pay |
| Settled collection | 7 years | Settled for less than owed |
| Medical collection (under $500) | N/A | Removed as of 2023 |
| Medical collection (paid) | N/A | Removed once paid |
Important: Paying a collection does NOT restart the 7-year clock.
Bankruptcy
| Bankruptcy Type | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | 10 years | Full discharge of debts |
| Chapter 13 | 7 years | Payment plan completion |
| Dismissed bankruptcy | Varies | May still show |
Other Major Negatives
| Item | Duration | From Date |
|---|---|---|
| Foreclosure | 7 years | First missed payment |
| Short sale | 7 years | If settled for less |
| Deed in lieu | 7 years | Transfer date |
| Repossession | 7 years | First missed payment |
| Vehicle deficiency | 7 years | Charge-off date |
How the 7-Year Clock Works
Example: Credit Card Default
| Event | Date | 7-Year Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| Last on-time payment | January 2024 | — |
| First missed payment (30 days) | February 2024 | February 2031 |
| 60 days late | March 2024 | — |
| 90 days late | April 2024 | — |
| Charge-off | July 2024 | — |
| Sold to collections | September 2024 | — |
| Removal date | February 2031 |
Key: The clock starts from the first missed payment, not when the account was charged off or sold to collections.
Credit Score Impact Over Time
Late Payment Impact Timeline
| Time Since Late Payment | Score Impact |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Maximum impact (-60 to -150) |
| 6-12 months | High impact (-40 to -100) |
| 1-2 years | Moderate impact (-20 to -60) |
| 2-4 years | Lower impact (-10 to -30) |
| 4-6 years | Minimal impact (-5 to -15) |
| 6-7 years | Negligible impact |
| 7+ years | Removed from report |
Bankruptcy Impact Timeline
| Time Since Bankruptcy | Score Recovery |
|---|---|
| Year 0 | Score may drop 150-240 points |
| Year 1-2 | Begin rebuilding; 550-600 possible |
| Year 2-4 | 620-680 possible with good behavior |
| Year 4-6 | 700+ possible |
| Year 7-10 | 720+ possible |
Positive Items
Good news: positive items stay longer!
| Positive Item | Duration |
|---|---|
| Open account in good standing | Indefinitely |
| Closed account with positive history | 10 years from close date |
| On-time payments | Stay with the account |
| Old accounts (age of credit) | Valuable for score |
Tip: Don’t close old credit cards — their positive history helps your score.
Hard vs. Soft Inquiries
| Inquiry Type | Duration | Score Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hard inquiry | 2 years | -5 to -10 points initially |
| Soft inquiry | Not reported | No impact |
| Rate shopping (same type, 14-45 days) | Counts as 1 inquiry | Minimal impact |
Examples of Each
| Hard Inquiries | Soft Inquiries |
|---|---|
| Credit card application | Checking your own credit |
| Mortgage application | Pre-approval offers |
| Auto loan application | Background checks (employment) |
| Personal loan application | Account reviews by creditors |
| Apartment rental application | Insurance quotes |
Disputing Errors
If an item should have fallen off but hasn’t:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Get your free credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.com) |
| 2 | Identify items past 7/10-year mark |
| 3 | File dispute with each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) |
| 4 | Provide evidence of dates |
| 5 | Bureau must investigate within 30 days |
| 6 | Item removed if not verified |
Dispute Success Rates
| Dispute Reason | Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Item past 7-year date | Very high |
| Incorrect date of first delinquency | High |
| Not your account | High if you have proof |
| Incorrect balance | Moderate |
| General dispute | Lower |
Strategies While Waiting
Build Positive History
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Get a secured credit card | New positive payment history |
| Become authorized user | Inherit good history |
| Keep utilization below 30% | Immediate score boost |
| Never miss a payment | Most important factor |
| Diversify credit types | Small positive impact |
Negotiate with Creditors
| Strategy | When It Works |
|---|---|
| Pay for delete | Ask collections to remove after payment |
| Goodwill letter | Request removal of single late payment |
| Rapid rescore | When applying for mortgage |
| Settlement | May show “settled” vs. “paid in full” |
Medical Debt Special Rules (2023+)
Recent changes to medical debt reporting:
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No medical debt under $500 | Not reported |
| Paid medical collections | Removed from report |
| 1-year waiting period | Medical debt can’t be reported for 1 year |
State-Specific Rules
Some states have shorter reporting periods:
| State | Special Rules |
|---|---|
| California | Paid tax liens: 7 years |
| New York | Paid collections: May be removed sooner |
| Colorado | Collections: Additional protections |
| Maryland | Older items may be limited |
Timeline to Credit Recovery
| Starting Point | Target Score (700+) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh bankruptcy | 700+ | 2-4 years |
| Multiple collections | 700+ | 1-3 years |
| Recent late payments | 700+ | 6 months - 2 years |
| Mixed negative history | 700+ | 1-3 years |
| Clean start | 700+ | 6 months - 1 year |
Bottom Line
- Most negative items stay 7 years from first missed payment
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays 10 years
- Hard inquiries fall off after 2 years
- Positive accounts stay 10 years after closing
- The impact decreases significantly after 2-4 years
- You can rebuild a 700+ score within 2-4 years of most negatives
- Dispute errors — items should be removed right at 7 years
- Medical debt rules are now more consumer-friendly
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