How Long Does Negative Info Stay on Your Credit Report?

Bottom line: A credit bureau can generally report most accurate negative information for seven years, and bankruptcies for up to 10 years. Lawsuits and judgments can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. Inaccurate information is different: you have the right to dispute it at any time. This applies to anyone with late payments, collections, or public records on their report.

This question usually comes up right after someone finds something negative on their report. Here's what the law and the CFPB actually say.

How long can negative information stay on a credit report?

Most negative information can generally stay on a credit report for seven years. The CFPB says a credit bureau generally can report most negative information for seven years, bankruptcies for up to ten years, and lawsuits or judgments for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer (CFPB).

These limits come from the Fair Credit Reporting Act, section 605 (15 U.S.C. § 1681c).

Type of information	How long it can generally be reported
Late payments	7 years
Collections and charge-offs	7 years
Chapter 13 bankruptcy	7 years
Chapter 7 bankruptcy	10 years
Foreclosure	7 years
Lawsuits and judgments	7 years or longer

Sources: CFPB, How to rebuild your credit; collections and charge-offs row from 15 U.S.C. § 1681c.

When does the seven-year clock start?

For collections and charge-offs, the seven-year clock is tied to when the account first went delinquent, not when it was sent to collections. The FCRA says the seven-year period begins 180 days after the start of the delinquency that came right before the collection or charge-off (15 U.S.C. § 1681c).

Equifax says late payments stay for up to seven years from the original delinquency date, and collection accounts for up to seven years from the date of the first missed payment (Equifax).

Does paying off a debt remove it from your credit report?

No. Paying off a debt doesn't by itself remove its history from your credit report. Equifax says a late payment remains even if you pay the past-due balance, and a collection account remains even if you pay it (Equifax). Equifax also notes a different rule for paid collections for current New York State residents.

Paying can still matter. The balance reported should match what you actually owe. A balance that stays wrong is a data error the CFPB says to look for (CFPB).

Are there exceptions to the seven-year rule?

Yes. The CFPB says the time limits don't apply if the report will be used for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year, or for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance (CFPB).

Can you remove accurate negative information early?

Generally, no. The CFPB says you generally cannot have negative information removed if it's accurate, and warns to beware of anyone who claims they can remove information that's current, accurate, and negative (CFPB).

What negative information can you dispute?

You can dispute negative information that's inaccurate or incomplete. The CFPB says you can dispute accurate information if it appears multiple times, and negative information that arose from identity theft or isn't about you (CFPB).

You can also dispute information that's being reported past its time limit, or with the wrong delinquency date, because that's inaccurate. The CFPB lists an incorrect date of first delinquency as a common error (CFPB).

A credit bureau generally has 30 days to investigate a dispute. It can take up to 45 days if you dispute after getting your free annual credit report, or if you send more relevant information during the investigation (CFPB).

How does Dispute Nerds help?

Dispute Nerds is AI-powered credit dispute software. The AI analyzes your credit report and flags items that may be inaccurate or incomplete, including items whose dates may be wrong. You review the findings and decide what, if anything, to dispute. Then you sign and send your own disputes. Dispute Nerds never files disputes for you.

Findings are free. Your credit report comes from our monitoring partner and is billed separately.

Learn the basics in How to Read Your Credit Report, Section by Section.

FAQ

How long do late payments stay on my credit report?

Generally up to seven years. Equifax says it's measured from the original delinquency date.

How long does a bankruptcy stay?

The CFPB says bankruptcies can stay for up to 10 years. Its credit rebuilding guide lists Chapter 7 at 10 years and Chapter 13 at 7 years.

Will paying a collection remove it?

Not by itself. Equifax says the account remains even if you pay it, though the balance should be updated.

Can someone remove accurate negative items for a fee?

The CFPB says you generally can't remove accurate negative information and warns to beware of anyone who claims they can.

What can I dispute?

Information that's inaccurate or incomplete, listed more than once, from identity theft, or not about you.

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Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "How long does it take to repair an error on a credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-it-take-to-repair-an-error-on-a-credit-report-en-1339/
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "What are common credit report errors that I should look for on my credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-common-credit-report-errors-that-i-should-look-for-on-my-credit-report-en-313/
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "Is it possible to remove accurate but negative information from my credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/is-it-possible-to-remove-accurate-negative-information-from-my-credit-report-en-1249/
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "How long does information stay on my credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-information-stay-on-my-credit-report-en-323/
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "How to rebuild your credit": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/how-to-rebuild-your-credit/
• Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c
• Equifax, "How long does information stay on my Equifax credit report?": https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/information-stays-equifax-credit-report/

Last updated: October 24, 2026