How long does a late payment stay on my credit report?

A late payment can stay on your credit report for seven years. You cannot remove a late payment from your credit report unless the information listed is incorrect, but the impact on your credit score will lessen over time.

If the entry is inaccurate, you can file a dispute with the three major credit bureaus to update or remove it. The bureaus typically respond to claims within 30 to 45 days.

If the entry is accurate, it will not fall off your credit report early, even if you make-up a late payment. You can ask the lender for a goodwill adjustment to remove the entry from your report, but it’s unlikely to be successful.

You can check your credit report and credit score as well as get personalized credit-improvement tips for free here at WalletHub.