How to Remove a CCJ From Your Credit File (UK)
A County Court Judgement (CCJ) can significantly impact your credit score and ability to get a mortgage. This guide explains how long CCJs last, when they can be removed, and what options you have.
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is a type of court order in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that can be registered against you if you fail to repay money you owe. CCJs can be issued for unpaid credit cards, loans, utility bills, phone contracts, or any other debt.
When a CCJ is registered, it appears on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, and is also recorded on your credit file with all three credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).
How Does a CCJ Get Registered?
- 1Creditor sends a claim
The company you owe money to sends a claim form to the court
- 2You receive court papers
The court sends you a claim form and response pack
- 3Response deadline (14 days)
You have 14 days to respond to the claim
- 4Judgement issued
If you don't respond or defend, the court issues a CCJ against you
How Long Does a CCJ Stay on Your Credit File?
6 Years from the Date of Judgement
A CCJ remains on your credit file for 6 years from the date the judgement was made. After exactly 6 years, it is automatically removed by the credit reference agencies.
Important: The 6-year period starts from the date of the original judgement, not from when you paid it off. Even if you satisfy (pay) the CCJ years later, the removal date doesn't change.
When Can a CCJ Be Removed?
If you pay the full amount owed within 30 days of the judgement date, you can apply to have the CCJ removed completely from the Register and your credit file. You'll need to apply for a Certificate of Cancellation.
You can apply to have a CCJ "set aside" if you can prove you didn't receive the original claim form, or you have a valid defence to the claim. If successful, the CCJ is removed as if it never existed.
If the CCJ contains errors (wrong name, wrong amount, already paid before judgement), you can dispute it with the credit reference agencies and the court.
Certificate of Satisfaction vs Certificate of Cancellation
- Shows you've paid the CCJ in full
- CCJ remains on your credit file but marked "satisfied"
- Looks better to lenders than unsatisfied
- Still visible for full 6 years
Cost: £15
- CCJ is completely removed from the Register
- CCJ is removed from your credit file
- Only available if paid within 30 days
- As if the CCJ never existed
Cost: £15
Step-by-Step: How to Remove or Correct a CCJ
If paid within 30 days:
- Get proof of payment from the creditor
- Complete form N443 (Application for a certificate of satisfaction or cancellation)
- Pay the £15 fee
- Send to the court that issued the CCJ
- Receive Certificate of Cancellation
- Send copy to all three credit reference agencies
If applying to set aside:
- Complete form N244 (Application notice)
- Include evidence (e.g., proof you didn't receive the claim)
- Pay the court fee (varies)
- Attend a court hearing if required
- If successful, CCJ is removed entirely
Satisfied CCJ and Your Mortgage Options
Satisfying your CCJ - paying it off in full - is one of the best steps you can take for your mortgage prospects. While the CCJ remains on your credit file for the full 6 years, a satisfied CCJ is viewed much more favourably by lenders than an unsatisfied one. Many specialist lenders require CCJs to be satisfied before they'll even consider an application, and those with satisfied CCJs typically enjoy:
- Access to more lender options
- Lower deposit requirements (often 15-20% instead of 25%+)
- More competitive interest rates
- Faster application processing
If your CCJ is currently unsatisfied, consider paying it off before applying for a mortgage. The cost of satisfying the debt is often offset by the better mortgage terms you'll be offered. For immediate help with your application, see our quick answer on CCJ mortgages.
CCJ Credit Score Impact
When a CCJ is first registered, it typically causes your credit score to drop by 200-300 points or more. This significant impact reflects how seriously credit reference agencies view court judgements - they indicate that a creditor had to take legal action to recover money owed.
However, your credit score will gradually recover over time, especially if you:
- Satisfy (pay off) the CCJ as soon as possible
- Keep credit card balances low
- Make all current payments on time
- Avoid applying for new credit unnecessarily
For mortgage purposes, many specialist lenders focus more on the individual CCJ circumstances than your overall credit score. They'll look at when it was registered, how much it was for, and whether it's been satisfied.
How a CCJ Affects Mortgage Applications
Having a CCJ doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage, but it does limit your options. Here's what lenders typically consider:
How to Remove a CCJ From Your Credit Report
Many people ask how to get rid of a CCJ or how to get a CCJ removed from their credit report. The good news is there are legitimate ways to remove a CCJ, though your options depend on your specific circumstances. Understanding the removal process is essential whether you're looking to improve your credit score or apply for a CCJ mortgage.
There are three main routes to removing a CCJ from your credit report in the UK:
- Pay within 30 days: If you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgement, you can apply to have the CCJ completely removed
- Apply to set aside: If you have valid grounds (e.g., you never received the claim), the court can cancel the CCJ entirely
- Wait 6 years: CCJs are automatically removed from your credit file after 6 years from the judgement date
- Dispute errors: If the CCJ contains incorrect information, you can challenge it with the credit reference agencies
While you wait for removal, a satisfied CCJ is viewed more favourably by lenders. Many people with CCJs successfully secure mortgages through specialist bad credit lenders.
How Long Does a CCJ Stay on Your Credit Report?
A CCJ stays on your credit report for exactly 6 years from the date of judgement. This applies to all three UK credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The 6-year rule is set by law and applies whether the CCJ is satisfied (paid) or unsatisfied.
Key points about CCJ duration on your credit report:
- The clock starts from the judgement date, not when you became aware of it
- Paying the CCJ later doesn't reset or shorten the 6-year period
- After exactly 6 years, removal is automatic - you don't need to do anything
- A satisfied CCJ still shows for 6 years but is marked as "paid"
- The CCJ also appears on the Register of Judgments for the same period
If you need a mortgage before your CCJ drops off, don't worry - many lenders offer mortgages to people with CCJs. The older your CCJ, the better your options become.
When Do CCJs Get Removed?
CCJs are removed from your credit file under specific circumstances, and understanding these timelines can help you plan your financial future. The removal date depends on how and when you deal with the judgement.
- After 6 years: All CCJs are automatically removed 6 years from the judgement date, regardless of payment status
- If paid within 30 days: You can apply for immediate removal via a Certificate of Cancellation
- If successfully set aside: The CCJ is removed as soon as the court order is processed
- If disputed successfully: Removal happens once the credit agency completes their investigation
The credit reference agencies update their records monthly, so there may be a short delay between the 6-year anniversary and the CCJ disappearing from your report. If your CCJ hasn't been removed after 6 years plus one month, contact the credit reference agencies directly.
While waiting for removal, explore your CCJ mortgage options - many specialist lenders work with borrowers who have CCJs registered within the last 6 years.
How to Set Aside a CCJ
Setting aside a CCJ means asking the court to cancel the judgement as if it never happened. This is different from paying it off - a successful set aside application completely removes the CCJ from both the Register of Judgments and your credit file. This option is particularly valuable if you're planning to apply for a mortgage, as it eliminates the CCJ entirely rather than just marking it as satisfied.
You can apply to set aside a CCJ if:
- You didn't receive the original court claim (perhaps it was sent to an old address)
- You have a valid defence to the original claim (e.g., you don't owe the money)
- There was a procedural error in how the case was handled
- You had already paid the debt before the judgement was issued
To apply, complete form N244 and submit it to the court that issued the CCJ. There's a court fee (typically £275), and you may need to attend a hearing. If successful, the CCJ is cancelled and removed from your credit report.
Even with a CCJ on record, you may still qualify for a bad credit mortgage. Speak to a specialist adviser about your options.
How to Remove a CCJ After Payment
If you've paid your CCJ, your removal options depend on how quickly you settled the debt. Paying a CCJ is always better than leaving it unsatisfied, but the timing of your payment makes a significant difference to whether it can be removed from your credit file.
Paid Within 30 Days
If you paid within 30 days of the judgement date, you can apply for a Certificate of Cancellation, which completely removes the CCJ:
- Obtain proof of payment from the creditor
- Complete form N443 and pay the £15 fee
- Submit to the court that issued the CCJ
- Send the certificate to all three credit reference agencies
Paid After 30 Days
If you paid after 30 days, you cannot remove the CCJ early, but you can get it marked as "satisfied":
- Apply for a Certificate of Satisfaction (£15 fee)
- The CCJ remains on your file but shows as paid
- This improves your standing with CCJ mortgage lenders
Certificate of Cancellation for CCJ
A Certificate of Cancellation is the gold standard for CCJ removal - it proves the CCJ has been completely removed from the Register of Judgments and your credit file. Unlike a Certificate of Satisfaction (which only marks the CCJ as paid), a Certificate of Cancellation means the CCJ is entirely erased from your record.
You can obtain a Certificate of Cancellation if:
- You paid the full CCJ amount within 30 days of the judgement date
- The CCJ was successfully set aside by the court
- The CCJ was issued in error and has been corrected
The application process involves completing form N443, providing proof of payment, and paying the £15 fee. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks. Once issued, send copies to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to ensure your credit files are updated.
If you're unable to obtain a Certificate of Cancellation, don't worry - you can still explore mortgage options with a CCJ. A satisfied CCJ, while still visible, is viewed much more favourably by specialist bad credit mortgage lenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CCJ stays on your credit file for 6 years from the date of the judgement. After 6 years, it is automatically removed by the credit reference agencies.
Yes, if you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgement, you can apply to have it removed completely. You can also apply to have it 'set aside' if it was wrongly issued.
A Certificate of Satisfaction confirms you've paid the CCJ in full. The CCJ remains on your credit file but is marked as 'satisfied', which looks better to lenders.
A Certificate of Cancellation is issued when a CCJ is completely removed from the Register, usually because it was paid within 30 days or set aside by the court.
You can apply to have a CCJ 'set aside' if you can prove you didn't receive the original claim, or you have a valid defence. You'll need to apply to the court that issued the judgement.
Yes, paying off a CCJ and getting it marked as 'satisfied' is better than leaving it unpaid. However, the CCJ will still appear on your credit file for the full 6 years.
Yes, many specialist lenders consider mortgage applications from people with CCJs. Your options depend on the CCJ amount, age, whether it's satisfied, and your deposit size.
You can check for CCJs by getting your credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, or by searching the Register of Judgments online for a small fee.
Have a CCJ and Need a Mortgage?
Don't let a CCJ stop you from getting on the property ladder. Our specialist mortgage advisers have access to lenders who consider applications from borrowers with CCJs.