HOW LONG DOES DEROGATORY INFORMATION STAY ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

● Most derogatory (negative) information stays on your credit report for seven years. This includes late payments, unpaid debts, foreclosures, defaulted student loans, and judgments against you.

● Chapter 7 bankruptcies can stay on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are deleted after seven years since it required at least a partial repayment of the debts.

● An inquiry (i.e. a record of a potential lender checking your credit in response to your loan/credit application) stays on your report for two years. Too many inquiries can be seen as a negative.

● Unpaid tax liens can remain on your credit report indefinitely, although they are typically removed after 15 years. Once it is paid, it must be removed seven years from the date it was filed.