Under the FCRA, most negative items must be removed after 7 years. But not all — and the clock starts differently for each type.
The 7-year period doesn't start when you pay off the debt or when it's sold to a collector. It starts from the original date of first delinquency — the first time you missed a payment that led to the account going negative.
This means a collection account sold multiple times still follows the original timeline. Collectors cannot reset the clock by re-reporting the debt.
If you see a negative item that should have aged off — based on the original delinquency date — you have the right to dispute it. Send a dispute letter to the bureau showing the account is past the legal reporting period.
How to calculate when an item should drop off:
Find the "date of first delinquency" on the account. Add 7 years (or 10 for Chapter 7). If that date has passed, the item must be removed.
Not automatically. Paying a collection marks it as "paid collection" but it typically stays on your report until the 7-year window closes. To get it removed faster, you can try a pay-for-delete agreement — where the collector agrees to remove the account in exchange for payment.
Note: Not all collectors will accept pay-for-delete, and credit bureaus don't require them to. But many do agree, especially smaller collection agencies.
Check what's on your report
Upload your credit report and we'll identify outdated items, disputable accounts, and your full repair strategy.
Analyze my report free →