How to Remove Bankruptcy After 7 Years

Bankruptcy should automatically disappear from your credit report after seven years under Chapter 13. If for some reason it still appears, there are several actions you can take. Bankruptcies cannot be removed until the required time period had passed, although you can always challenge incorrect information.

1. Wait until the required seven years have passed. If you filed for Chapter 7, 11 or 12, you cannot remove the bankruptcy from your public record for 10 years after the date the petition was filed. Unpaid tax liens remain on your record for 15 years.


2. Check your credit reports with the three main credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You can check these reports for free online annually and in most cases, the bankruptcy has been removed automatically.


3. Purchase your FICO score to determine whether your credit score has been raised after the required seven years and the bankruptcy has been removed.


4. Contact any of the credit reporting bureaus that still have bankruptcy on your public record. Usually one phone call is all it takes, as long as the required number of years has passed since your petition was filed. Ask your lawyer to contact the credit reporting bureau with the error if the bankruptcy continues to be displayed on your credit report.


5. Remove any accounts settled by the bankruptcy from your record. These are usually removed after seven years, but sometimes remain. Accounts settled by bankruptcy will be noted as such on the credit report.


6. Close any credit cards or accounts opened immediately after your bankruptcy was filed. These cards are known as high-interest credit rebuilders and can be detrimental to your account if potential creditors recognize them.