Negative information has a statute of limitations. For the most part, negative information stays on your credit report for seven years. There are some exceptions to this rule, however:

Credit Accounts:

• Negative information remains for seven years from the initial missed payment that led to the delinquency.
• Active positive information can remain on your credit report indefinitely (if a positive account was closed, it will typically remain on your report for ten years from the date of closure).

Collection Accounts:

• A collection account remains for seven years from the date the account went into serious delinquent status, often the date of the first 180-day late payment.

Public Records:

• Chapter 7, 11, and 12 bankruptcies remain for 10 years from the date filed.
• Completed Chapter 13 bankruptcies remain for seven years from the date discharged, and for a maximum of ten years.
• Tax liens remain for seven years from the date filed if paid and remain indefinitely if not paid.
• All judgments remain for seven years from the date filed.

Inquiries:

• Inquiries remain on your credit report for two years. *Note: Even though inquiries remain on your credit report for two years, they only count in your credit score for the first twelve months (one year).
  

New York State Residents Only:

• Satisfied judgments remain for five years from the date filed.
• Paid collections remain for five years from the date of last activity.

California State Residents Only:

• All tax liens (paid or unpaid) remain for seven years from the date filed.