How Long Can Closed Items Show on My Credit Report?

Closed items on a credit report may include old credit card accounts or paid-off loans. In some cases, keeping these items on your credit report is beneficial because it helps to establish a long-term credit history. In other cases, removing negative items can boost a credit score. After pulling a current copy of your credit report, inspect it for closed items to remove and improve your score.

Credit Reports

Credit bureaus collect and report data from public records and credit providers. The credit bureaus report this information on a credit report. The credit report is available to potential lenders upon your approval or for a soft inquiry. A soft inquiry allows creditors to determine credit eligibility prior to your making a request.

Negative Information

Potentially negative items remain on the account for up to seven years. This includes late and missed payments. Public records, including liens, Chapter 13 bankruptcies and foreclosures remain on a credit report for up to seven years. Tax liens remain on a credit report for up to 15 years if unpaid, or seven years if paid. Chapter 7, 11 and 12 bankruptcies remain on a credit report for up to 10 years.

Positive Information

Unlike negative credit information, most positive data remains on a credit report indefinitely. This positive data helps establish your long term credit history. Some paid, closed accounts will remain on your credit report for 10 years unless you request them removed.

Requesting Removal

You can submit a request to the credit bureaus to have data removed from your credit report after any mandatory time frames. To do so, file a report with the credit bureaus directly through the credit bureau's website.

Check Credit Report

Each year, you have the ability to obtain one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus -- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. After requesting the credit bureaus remove closed accounts, obtain a copy of these credit reports to verify this. It can take up to 60 days for this update to occur. To obtain a free copy of your credit report, contact AnnualCreditReport.com, the only website approved to provide a free annual report.