Can bankruptcy be removed from your credit report in less than 10 years?

Bankruptcy removal

Unfortunately, there is no way to have a bankruptcy removed from your credit report before the statute of limitations has expired. For Chapters 7, 11, and 13, this is 10 years from the date filed. Unless, of course, you can prove that the bankruptcy is not yours (For example: When I first applied for a credit card at age 19, I learned I had a bankruptcy on my credit report from when I was 15. It was my father's, and I was able to successfully have it removed).

The bureaus will not make exceptions. One thing you CAN do it to make sure the status on your bankruptcy is correct - many times the bankruptcy status remains unknown, even years after it has been discharged or dismissed, and just because one bureau has correct status information does not mean the other will.

Hope this has been of some assistance.

More opinions from FAQ Farmers:

• If your timing is right then yes there is a way to have a bankruptcy removed from your credit file in as short of time as 3 years. Lets say you file chapter 7. Two years and a month after the date of discharge you dispute with the credit agencys the chapter 7 listed on your file. The credit agency will initiate an inquiry with the bankruptcy court to determine if their records are correct. Bankruptcy courts only maintain files for two years before they are recorded on microfiche. There is a good chance the court will not respond due to the archiving of the your file and therefore the agency will be unable to verify and be forced to drop the bankruptcy from your file. But you didnt hear it from me.