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How long does an inquiry stay on my credit report?

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Last Updated
5th of May, 2009

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Inquiries remain in your credit report for 2 years (24 months). The good news is that they can only hurt your credit scores for the first 12 months. After 12 months, they don't impact your credit scores at all.

Most negative information remains on your credit report for 7 years. There are some exceptions to the rule:

Credit Accounts:

Negative information remains for 7 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 10 years from the closure).

Collection Accounts:

A collection account remains for 7 years from the date the account went into serious delinquent status, often the date of the first 180 day late.

Public Records:

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

Inquiries:

Inquiries remain on your credit report for 2 years.

New York State Residents Only:

Satisfied judgments remain 5 years from the date filed.
Paid collections remain 5 years from the date of last activity.

California State Residents Only:

All tax liens (paid or unpaid) remain 7 years from the date filed.