How to Get a Dismissed Bankruptcy Case Off Credit Report

Bankruptcy cases can be dismissed from court for a variety of reasons, including violations of rules and nonpayment of fees, among others. Unfortunately, a dismissal doesn't mean that the bankruptcy will be removed from your credit report. A dismissed bankruptcy case will remain on your reports for 10 years after the dismissal date. It's natural for consumers to want it removed, especially because the debts you included in the initial bankruptcy filing are not removed and you're still responsible for those debts. However, credit bureaus are not legally required to remove anything from your reports if it's true.

Instructions

1

Send a goodwill request to credit bureaus. The three big credit-reporting companies are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. They aren't connected, so you'll have to ask each bureau separately. Write a letter to each and ask them to remove the dismissal on your credit reports. Be sure to include your full name, Social Security number and any paperwork that will help explain the case in your favor. At the end of your letter, ask that the credit-reporting agency to make the change within 30 business days and send you a corrected copy of your credit report.

2

Send your letter certified, return receipt requested through the United States Postal Service. Certified letters provide proof that your letter was sent and a return receipt proves that the credit-reporting agency received your letter.

3

Follow up if you don't hear back within a reasonable period of time. It may take more than one request, but eventually you'll receive a report with the bankruptcy information removed or they'll tell you why they are denying your request.

4

Work on rebuilding your credit in other ways. It's important to work on rebuilding your credit score no matter if the credit reporting agency removes the information from your credit report or not. Get a secured credit card to put a positive account on your credit report. Charge a certain amount each month on this secured credit card and pay it off each month, on time. Over time, the bankruptcy will mean less and less to your overall credit score and eventually it'll be removed from your credit report all together.