How long does it take for bad accounts to fall off credit report?
Emma Miller
Updated on February 04, 2026
seven years
Most negative items should automatically fall off your credit reports seven years from the date of your first missed payment, at which point your credit scores may start rising. But if you are otherwise using credit responsibly, your score may rebound to its starting point within three months to six years.
How long does bad credit stay on your credit report?
Most negative financial transactions will stay on your credit history report for about seven years. However, the length of time you’ll see the missed payment actually depends on the type of bill and the reporter. Below, you’ll find some of the most common bad credit situations.
How long does a closed account stay on your credit report?
Positive information can stay on indefinitely; however, most closed accounts that were paid as agreed “age off” (as it’s known in the industry) of your credit reports after ten years. As for specific items, like a missed payment or collection account, well, let’s take a deeper dive into how long stuff stays on your credit report.
How long does bad credit stay on TransUnion’s record?
Equifax usually keeps negative information on record for six years from the date the lender reported it. TransUnion, on the other hand, removes accounts with adverse credit history from your record six years from the date of first delinquency (for example, late payment or a debt sent to a collection agency).
How long does the original delinquency date remain on a credit report?
This is called the original delinquency date. The Fair Credit Reporting Act specifies how long information remains on a credit report. Here is a list of how long the most common items remain on a credit report: Late payments: seven years from the date of the missed payment. Charged off accounts: seven years from the original delinquency date.