How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit Report?

Quick Answer

Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, depending on the type. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains for 10 years from the filing date. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains for 7 years from the filing date, because it involves partially repaying your debts. After that period, the credit bureaus must remove it automatically.

Bankruptcy Reporting Periods

Type	Time on Credit Report	Measured From	Why
Chapter 7 (liquidation)	10 years	Filing date	Debts are discharged, not repaid
Chapter 13 (repayment plan)	7 years	Filing date	You repay part of the debt over 3–5 years
Individual discharged accounts	7 years	Original delinquency date	Accounts included in the filing
Dismissed bankruptcy	Up to 10 years	Filing date	Same as filed type

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13

Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debts quickly (often in a few months) but stays on your report the longest — 10 years. Chapter 13 sets up a 3-to-5-year repayment plan; because creditors recover some money, it is removed sooner, after 7 years. Note that the underlying accounts included in a bankruptcy generally drop off 7 years from their original delinquency date, which may be before the bankruptcy notation itself disappears.

How Bankruptcy Affects Your Credit Score

A bankruptcy can drop a score by 130 to 240 points, with the biggest hit to those who had high scores. The impact is heaviest in the first 1–2 years and fades steadily as the filing ages, especially if you rebuild positive credit. Many people qualify for new credit — such as secured cards or auto loans — within a year or two of filing, though at higher interest rates.

Factors That Affect the Impact

• Bankruptcy type — Chapter 7 lingers 3 years longer than Chapter 13.
• Starting credit profile — higher scores fall further.
• Rebuilding behavior — on-time payments and low balances speed recovery.
• Age of the record — recent filings weigh more heavily than old ones.

How to Rebuild Faster

• Check your reports at annualcreditreport.com to confirm the filing is reported accurately and removed on schedule.
• Open a secured credit card and pay it in full each month to build positive history.
• Keep balances low — aim for under 30% of any credit limit.
• Never miss a payment — payment history is the biggest scoring factor.
• Be patient — the negative impact shrinks each year even before the record is removed.
• Dispute errors — if the bankruptcy isn't removed after 7 or 10 years, dispute it with the credit bureaus.