Public Records: What Remains

Public records on a credit report once included bankruptcies, tax liens, and civil judgments. Since 2017-2018, the bureaus removed liens and judgments; today bankruptcy is essentially the only public record that still appears.

Why it matters

Old guides still warn about liens and judgments wrecking reports. That era is over - knowing what can and cannot appear keeps you from fighting ghosts.

Key facts

• A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can remain on a report for up to 10 years; Chapter 13 for up to 7 years from the filing date.
• Civil judgments and tax liens were removed from bureau files after the National Consumer Assistance Plan raised data standards.
• Bankruptcy does not erase every debt; child support, most student loans, and recent taxes usually survive.
• A bankruptcy's scoring impact fades with time as new positive history accumulates.

In practice

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