How to Remove Bankruptcy from Your Credit Report 

(Yes, It’s Possible)

Bankruptcy. It’s one of those words that carries weight. Maybe even shame. And if it’s showing on your credit report, it can feel like a massive financial scar—one that follows you around no matter what you do.

But here’s the truth: bankruptcy doesn’t mean your financial life is over. It means you hit a reset button. And while it may impact your credit for a while, it doesn’t have to define your credit future. In fact, many people are shocked to learn that bankruptcies can be removed from your credit report—legally, ethically, and with the right steps.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through how bankruptcy reporting works, what your legal rights are, and the process you can follow to attempt to remove it. Whether it’s a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you’ll get clear on what’s possible—and what to do next.

Let’s take the power back, step by step.

Step 1: Understand What Bankruptcy Means on Your Report

First, know this: a bankruptcy on your credit report doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible. Life happens—medical bills, job loss, unexpected events. Bankruptcy is a legal tool meant to help you recover, not punish you forever.

Here’s what typically shows on your credit report:

  • The type of bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or 13)
  • The date it was filed
  • The court location
  • Included accounts (marked as “included in bankruptcy”)
  • The public record itself

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 stays for 7 years. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay that long.

Step 2: Pull and Review Your Credit Reports

Go to SmartCredit.com to pull your full credit report from all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).

Check for:

  • Any incorrect details about the bankruptcy (wrong dates, court, filing status)
  • Accounts that were not actually included in the bankruptcy
  • Duplicate or inconsistent reporting
  • Errors in how the public record appears

Even one small inaccuracy can be the key to getting the whole item removed.

Step 3: Dispute Any Errors You Find

If you find incorrect information tied to the bankruptcy, you can legally dispute it under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Send disputes to each credit bureau—online or by mail—and include:

  • A clear statement of what’s wrong
  • Supporting documents (e.g. discharge papers, court records)
  • A request for deletion if the information can’t be verified

They have 30 days to verify or remove the information.

Step 4: Challenge the Public Record with the Courthouse and Bureaus

Here’s a powerful move: contact the courthouse directly. Ask them (in writing) to confirm whether they report bankruptcy records to credit bureaus. Spoiler: they don’t.

Then, dispute the bankruptcy public record with the bureaus, noting that the courthouse cannot verify the reporting. If the bureaus can’t verify the source, they’re required to delete it.

Step 5: Monitor and Rebuild Your Credit

After taking action, track changes with SmartCredit. If the bankruptcy is removed—celebrate. If not, continue building positive credit habits while you wait for it to age off.

Focus on:

  • On-time payments
  • Low credit utilization
  • Secured credit cards or credit builder loans



Wrap-Up

Bankruptcy may feel like the end, but it’s really a new beginning. With the right steps, persistence, and a little credit-savvy, you can challenge how it appears on your report—or even get it removed.

Don’t let your past limit your future. You’ve got options. You’ve got rights. And now, you’ve got a plan.