How Long Do Negative Items Stay on a Credit Report?

Delinquencies (30 – 180 days): Can remain seven years from the date of the initial missed payment.

Collection accounts: Remain seven years from the date of the initial missed payment that led to the collection (the date of last activity). When a collection account is paid in full, it will be marked “paid collection” on the credit report. If a payment is later made, the new date used to calculate the seven year period starts over with the date the new payment was made.

Charged-off accounts: Remain seven years from the date of the initial missed payment that led to the charge off (the date of last activity). If a payment is later made, the new date used to calculate the seven year period starts over with the date the new payment was made.

Closed accounts: Closed accounts are accounts that are no longer available for further use. Closed accounts may or may not have a zero balance. Closed accounts with delinquencies remain seven years from the date they are reported closed, whether closed by the creditor or by the consumer. Positive closed accounts remain 10 years.

Lost credit card: If there are no delinquencies, credit cards that are reported lost will continue to be listed for two years from the date the card is reported lost. Delinquent payments that occurred before the card was lost are reported for seven years.

Bankruptcy: Chapters 7, 11, and 12 remain for ten years from the filing date. Chapter 13 remains seven years from the filing date. Accounts included in bankruptcy will remain seven years from the date they were reported as included in the bankruptcy.

Child support judgments: Remain seven years from the date the judgment is filed.

Civil and small claim judgments: Remain seven years from the date the judgment is filed.

City, county, state, and federal tax liens: Unpaid tax liens remain on credit reports indefinitely. Paid tax liens remain seven years from the paid date of the lien, although some paid tax liens can be removed earlier.

Inquiries: Most inquiries listed on your credit report are from the past two years. Older inquiries don’t hurt your score as much.

Positive open credit information: remains indefinitely and paid positive accounts remain ten years.

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