Late payments typically stay on your credit report for up to seven years from the original delinquency date, which is the date of the missed payment. This means that even if you pay the past-due balance later, the late payment record remains for seven years

. The impact of a late payment on your credit score is greatest when it is first reported but tends to diminish over time. Longer delinquencies (e.g., 90 days late) and multiple delinquencies have a more significant negative effect than shorter or fewer late payments

. Late payments usually are reported to credit bureaus only after they are at least 30 days past due. Some creditors may wait 60 days before reporting

. Accurately reported late payments cannot be removed from your credit report before the seven-year period expires, even if you bring the account current. However, if a late payment was reported in error or due to fraud, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus to have it removed

. In summary:

• Late payments remain on credit reports for up to 7 years from the missed payment date.
• They are typically reported after 30 days past due.
• Their impact on credit scores decreases over time.
• Legitimate late payments cannot be removed early, but errors can be disputed and corrected.

This seven-year rule is consistent across major credit bureaus and credit reporting agencies