How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report and when can I recover?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years from the filing date, and Chapter 13 for up to 7 years. That sounds brutal, but the impact fades over time and many people rebuild usable credit within 2 to 4 years by paying every bill on time, using a secured card, and keeping utilization low. Because bankruptcy wipes out the debts dragging your score down, some borrowers actually see their score rise within a year or two afterward. Focus on establishing a clean, positive payment history right away. You can qualify for a mortgage a few years after discharge depending on the loan type and your rebuilt credit.