Filing for bankruptcy is a difficult and major decision. The repercussions can likely linger for years to come, often making securing loans and mortgages extremely difficult. But here’s the good news, removing bankruptcy from your credit report is not impossible. Here are a few steps you can take to remove bankruptcy from your credit report.

Be Honest. Don’t ever try to repair your credit report by lying. It could get you into more trouble down the road. Be honest about your situation, your decisions and your financial standing.

Dispute the Bankruptcy. Even if you did file for bankruptcy, you can dispute whether the information was actually verified by the credit reporting agency. Contact all three credit reporting agencies:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

Ask them how they verified your bankruptcy. If they tell you it was verified through your county courts, then you must contact your county tax office. If your county tax office says they did not verify your bankruptcy, ask to have that put in writing.

Follow Up. Send that letter from your county courts to the credit reporting agencies and demand that the bankruptcy be removed from your report. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to wait.

Wait Seven to Ten Years. After seven to ten years, depending on the type of bankruptcy filed, the bankruptcy should fall off your credit report. Obtain a copy of your credit report and verify that this has indeed occurred. If the bankruptcy is still appearing on your credit report, contact the credit reporting agency and asked for it to be removed. If they don’t comply, have your attorney contact them.