A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s talk about one of the most frustrating things in credit: late payments. You miss a due date—maybe by a day or two—and suddenly your score drops like a rock. It feels unfair, right? Especially if it was a one-time mistake, an auto-pay glitch, or a rough month financially.

The truth is, late payments can damage your score for up to seven years. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to just sit there and take the hit.

Yes, it is possible to get late payments removed—legally—from your credit report. And no, you don’t need to be a lawyer or credit expert to make it happen. You just need the right strategy.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • How late payments affect your credit
  • The exact steps to request a removal
  • Pro tips to improve your chances of success

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Review Your Credit Reports

Start by pulling all three of your credit reports using a credit monitoring tool like Smart Credit. Look for:

  • Late payment notations (30, 60, 90+ days late)
  • Dates and account details
  • Any inaccuracies

💡 Sometimes late payments are reported in error—which gives you a great reason to dispute them.

Step 2: Determine the Type of Late Payment

There are two scenarios:

  1. Legitimate late payment – You actually missed a payment.
  2. Inaccurate or unfair reporting – You paid on time but it was reported late, or the late mark is older than 7 years.

If it’s inaccurate, you can dispute it. If it’s legit, don’t worry—there’s still a play.

Step 3: Write a Goodwill Letter

If the late payment is valid but you have a good payment history overall, write a Goodwill Letter to the creditor. Politely explain the situation, take responsibility, and request they remove the late mark as a courtesy.

💡 Creditors aren’t obligated to say yes—but many will, especially if you’ve been a loyal customer.

Step 4: Dispute Inaccuracies with the Bureaus

If you find an error, you can file a dispute directly with the credit bureaus. Provide supporting documents and request a correction or deletion.

Step 5: Stay Current Going Forward

Once a late payment is removed (or even if it’s not), make every future payment on time. Payment history is 35% of your score—consistency is key.

Bottom Line:
Late payments hurt, but they’re not the end of the road. With a few smart moves and a little persistence, you can clean up your credit and take back control.