How Long Hard Inquiry Stays on Credit Report (2026 Guide + Score Impact Chart)
What Is a Hard Inquiry?
A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit report to approve a financial application.
Common situations:
Credit card application
Auto loan
Mortgage
Personal loan
Apartment rental screening
Unlike soft inquiries, a hard inquiry means you are trying to borrow money — so it slightly lowers your credit score.
👉 Official explanation:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-hard-inquiry-en-1253/
⏳ How Long Hard Inquiry Stays on Credit Report
Hard inquiry stays for 24 months (2 years)
But its scoring impact lasts only 12 months
Timeline Breakdown
| Time Passed | Visible to Lenders | Affects Score |
|---|---|---|
| 0–12 months | Yes | Yes |
| 12–24 months | Yes | No |
| After 24 months | Removed | No |
📌 Meaning:
Your credit score starts recovering automatically after 1 year — even if the inquiry still appears.
📉 How Many Points Does a Hard Inquiry Drop?
Usually 3–10 points
But depends on profile:
| Credit Profile | Score Drop |
|---|---|
| Thin credit history | 8–15 points |
| Average credit | 5–10 points |
| Excellent credit | 3–5 points |
Multiple inquiries in a short time = bigger drop.
Hard Inquiry vs Soft Inquiry
Key Differences
| Feature | Hard Inquiry | Soft Inquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Affects Score | Yes | No |
| Visible to lenders | Yes | No |
| Permission needed | Yes | No |
| Example | Loan application | Checking own score |
🧠 Rate Shopping Rule (Very Important Trick)
If you apply multiple loans within 14–45 days, credit bureaus count them as ONE inquiry.
Applies to:
Mortgage
Auto loan
Student loan
So smart borrowers compare rates quickly.
Official FICO explanation:
https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-reports/credit-checks-and-inquiries
🧹 Can You Remove a Hard Inquiry?
Yes — but only if it’s unauthorized.
Legal removal steps
Check report (free yearly)
Identify unknown inquiry
Dispute with bureau
Bureau must verify within 30 days
If not verified → removed
Free report:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
📊 Infographic — Hard Inquiry Life Cycle
Hard Inquiry Life Cycle
Application → Score Drop → 12 Months Impact → Visible Only → Removed
Year 0: Score drops
Year 1: Score recovers
Year 2: Inquiry deleted
Does Hard Inquiry Hurt Mortgage Approval?
No — unless too many.
Lenders worry if:
6+ inquiries in 6 months
New debt behavior
Financial distress signals
Otherwise normal borrowing behavior is safe.
Pro Tips to Protect Your Credit Score
✔ Apply cards 3–6 months apart
✔ Rate shop within 14 days
✔ Avoid store cards impulsively
✔ Freeze credit when not applying
Final Verdict
A hard inquiry is temporary damage — not permanent.
It stays on your credit report for 2 years, but hurts your credit score only for 12 months.
So the real impact window is just one year — after that, your score naturally rebounds.
How to Increase Credit Score Fast (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)
What Is a Good Credit Score in USA? (300-850 Range
Frequently Asked Questions
A hard inquiry stays on a credit report for 24 months but affects your credit score only for the first 12 months.
A hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by 3 to 10 points depending on your credit profile.
Yes. If the inquiry is unauthorized, you can dispute it with the credit bureau and they must verify it within 30 days or remove it.
No. Multiple loan applications within a short rate-shopping period (14–45 days) usually count as a single inquiry.