 TITLE: What Is a Bankruptcy Discharge? CONTENT: How a Bankruptcy Discharge Affects Credit\n-----------------------------------------\nOnce you file for bankruptcy, a record of it will appear in your credit files and will remain there for a period of time. Chapter 7 bankruptcies remain on your credit reports for 10 years from the initial date of filing, and Chapter 13 bankruptcies stay on your reports for seven years from the date of filing.\nAs long as a record of the bankruptcy is listed in your reports, it will have a negative impact on your credit scores. Once you receive a discharge for the bankruptcy, the record will change in your credit file and a record of the discharge will appear. Each of the accounts discharged as part of the bankruptcy should also be updated to show a zero balance.\nIf you've received a bankruptcy discharge and do not see a record of it in your credit reports, you can request an update to your credit reports with the three main credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). To process this update with Experian, you'll be required to provide a \"schedule\" document from your bankruptcy records to show evidence of the debts included in your discharge.\nIf you're not sure what appears in your credit file, consider getting a free copy of your credit report and score from Experian to see what's recorded in your credit history. If your report contains any errors, make sure to file a dispute with one or more of the three main credit bureaus to get the mistake removed from your file as soon as possible. END