How to Remove Bankruptcy from Credit Report

Dear ENZ,

You don't have to do anything to have a bankruptcy removed from your credit report. The bankruptcy and any included accounts will be deleted automatically.

The discharge date is the date the bankruptcy plan is completed after being filed. But, the discharge date has nothing to do with when the information will be deleted. In fact, it is quite possible that the information has already been deleted.

How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on the Credit Report?

The bankruptcy public record is deleted from the credit report either seven years or 10 years from the filing date of the bankruptcy, depending on the chapter you filed.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is deleted seven years from the filing date because it requires at least a partial repayment of the debts you owe. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is deleted 10 years from the filing date because none of the debt is repaid.

Accounts Included in Bankruptcy

Individual accounts included in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on the credit report for seven years.

Usually, a person declaring bankruptcy already is having serious difficulty paying their debts. Accounts are often seriously delinquent before the bankruptcy.

If an account was delinquent when it was included in the bankruptcy, it will be deleted seven years from its original delinquency date, which is the date the account first became late and was never again brought current. Declaring bankruptcy does not alter the original delinquency date or extend the time the account remains on the credit report.

How to Check Your Credit Report

If you haven't already, I encourage you to get a current copy of your credit report. You can order your free report from each of the three credit reporting companies once every 12 months. You can also request your free credit report from Experian at any time. You might find the information regarding your bankruptcy is already gone.

Thanks for asking.
The "Ask Experian" team