The removal of late payments from your credit report is typically only possible in specific situations. Legitimate late payments, meaning they are accurate, will generally remain on your report for up to seven years.
You can attempt removal if:
- The payment was reported by mistake; you can dispute the error with the credit bureau and the creditor directly.
- You submit a goodwill letter to the creditor, especially if you have a strong history of timely payments, politely requesting a one-time removal.