Credit score

How to clear your credit record in South Africa

No one can wipe accurate information off your record for a fee. What you can do is fix errors, settle debts and let old items expire on time.

See the legal steps

Written by LM editorial teamLast reviewed 1 October 2026

Short answer

Nobody can lawfully remove accurate negative information from your credit record for a fee. What you can do is dispute errors, settle debts and wait out the legal time limits.

Beware of credit repair offers

Some companies promise to clear your record or remove a judgment for a fee. TransUnion warns about these “credit repair agents”.

It says claiming to remove valid listings for an upfront fee is illegal. You could lose your money or pay for work you can do yourself.

A bureau only has to remove information that is wrong, unproven or past its legal time limit.

Watch out for these warning signs:

An upfront fee before any work is done.
A promise to remove accurate judgments, defaults or debt review.
A guaranteed score, or a fixed date for a “clean” record.
Pressure to dispute debts you know are yours.

How long information stays on your record

Regulation 17 of the National Credit Regulations sets the longest period for each item. The clock runs from the date of the event.

After that, the bureau may not display the item or use it for credit scoring or assessment.

Information	Longest period	Comes off sooner if
Enquiries	1 year	No earlier route
Payment profile	5 years	Adverse listings go once you settle (section 71A)
Adverse classifications (enforcement or behaviour)	1 year	You settle the debt (section 71A)
Civil court judgments, including default judgments	5 years	A court rescinds it, the credit provider abandons it, or you pay it (section 71A)
Administration order	5 years	It is rescinded
Sequestration order	5 years	Rehabilitation is granted
Debt restructuring order (debt review)	Until a clearance certificate is issued	A clearance certificate is issued under section 71

Periods from regulation 17 as published on acts.co.za, checked October 2026.

Steps to clean up your record legally

Get your free report from TransUnion, Experian and XDS. See how to check your credit score.
Mark every item that is wrong, unproven or past its time limit.
Dispute those items with the bureau. It must find credible evidence or remove them (section 72(3)). Our dispute steps explain how.
Settle what you owe where you can, and keep the paid-up letter.
Check the listing comes off. The lender must tell every registered bureau within 7 days of settlement.
The bureau must then remove the adverse listing within 7 days. This covers judgment debts too.
If the lender doesn't report your settlement, complain to the NCR on 0860 627 627 (section 71A(3)).
Let the rest expire, and keep paying on time. Our guide on improving your credit score has more.

Removing a judgment: payment, rescission or abandonment

A civil judgment can stay on your record for up to 5 years. Regulation 17 allows three ways for it to come off sooner.

Pay it in full. Section 71A covers judgment debts. The bureau must remove the listing within 7 days of the lender's notice.

Rescission. A court can rescind, or cancel, the judgment. The listing then comes off.

Abandonment. The credit provider can abandon the judgment under section 86 of the Magistrates' Courts Act.

Rescission is a court process, so get legal advice before you apply.

After debt review: the clearance certificate

Under debt review, your record shows a debt restructuring order. It stays until a clearance certificate is issued.

Section 71 says your debt counsellor must issue the certificate within 7 days after you qualify.

You qualify once you have paid every debt under the order.

You can also qualify when only a home loan, or another prescribed long-term debt, is left. You must have no arrears on it and show you can keep paying.

The counsellor must file a certified copy with all registered credit bureaus within 7 days.

If the counsellor refuses or fails to issue it, you can ask the Tribunal to review the decision.

Read more about the process on our debt review page.

How to clear your credit record in South Africa: frequently asked questions

Can I pay someone to clear my credit record?

Not for accurate information. TransUnion says claiming to remove valid listings for an upfront fee is illegal. You can dispute errors yourself for free.

Does paying a debt remove it from my credit record?

Settling the debt triggers section 71A of the National Credit Act. The lender must tell every registered bureau within 7 days of settlement. The bureau must then remove the adverse listing within 7 days.

When is debt review removed from my credit record?

When your debt counsellor issues a clearance certificate. Regulation 17 lets bureaus show the order until then. The counsellor must file the certificate with all registered bureaus within 7 days.

How long do enquiries stay on my record?

Up to 1 year under regulation 17. After that, a bureau may not show them or use them for scoring.

Who can help me for free?

The National Financial Ombud handles credit complaints free of charge on 0860 800 900. The NCR takes complaints about lenders who don't report a settlement, on 0860 627 627. If you can't keep up with your debts, ask the NCR about debt counselling first.