A CCJ (County Court Judgment) stays on the public register and on credit files for six years from the date it was issued.
This six-year period applies whether the debt is paid or unpaid. The only exception is if the judgment is paid in full within one calendar month of the judgment date.
Understanding how long a CCJ lasts — and what affects its visibility — is important if you are applying for credit, renting property, or assessing financial risk.
Once a County Court Judgment is issued:
- It is recorded on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines.
- Credit reference agencies are notified.
- It remains publicly visible for six years.
After six years:
- The CCJ is automatically removed from the public register.
- It no longer appears on standard credit reports.
- It should not affect future credit applications based on register data.
The six-year period begins from the judgment date, not the date of payment.
Whether and when you pay a CCJ affects how it appears on record.
Paid Within One Month
If the full amount is paid within one calendar month:
- The judgment can be removed from the register entirely.
- It will not remain visible for six years.
- It may not impact your credit file long-term.
You must apply to the court for removal and provide proof of payment.
If paid after one month:
- The CCJ remains on record for six years.
- It is marked as “satisfied.”
- Lenders can still see that a judgment existed.
While a satisfied CCJ is viewed more favourably than an unpaid one, it may still influence lending decisions during the six-year period.
If a CCJ remains unpaid:
- It stays visible for the full six years.
- It is marked as “unsatisfied.”
- Credit access may be severely limited.
- Enforcement action may continue during that time.
After six years, the record disappears from the public register, but the debt itself may still legally exist unless resolved.
Yes, the public record entry is removed automatically once six years have passed.
You do not need to apply for removal after the six-year mark.
However:
- The removal applies only to the public register.
- Credit agencies update automatically, but occasionally delays can occur.
- You may wish to check your record after six years to ensure it has been cleared.
A CCJ can only be removed early in specific circumstances:
1. Paid in full within one month.
2. Issued in error.
3. Set aside by a court.
If a court formally sets aside a judgment, it is treated as though it never existed.
Otherwise, it remains visible for the full six-year period
In most cases, yes.
Credit reference agencies record CCJs for six years from the judgment date. Once the six-year period ends, it should be removed automatically.
However, timing differences of a few weeks can sometimes occur depending on reporting cycles.
If a CCJ still appears after six years, you may need to raise a query with the credit reference agency.
During the six-year period, a CCJ can affect:
- Mortgage Applications
Many lenders will decline applications with active or recent CCJs, particularly unsatisfied ones.
- Personal Loans
Approval may be restricted or offered at higher interest rates.
- Rental Applications
Landlords may conduct CCJ searches when screening tenants.
- Employment Checks
Some regulated roles require financial history screening.
Because of this, some individuals choose to run a current CCJ search to confirm exactly what remains visible on the public record.
Once six years have passed:
The CCJ no longer appears on the public register.
It should no longer show on credit reports.
It generally stops influencing financial decisions.
However:
- The underlying debt may still exist unless paid or legally written off.
- Enforcement rights may be restricted depending on circumstances.
If you are unsure whether a judgment is still active, running a current search can confirm its status.
Bankruptcy and CCJs are different legal processes.
While both remain on credit files for six years, bankruptcy is recorded separately and involves a different legal framework.
If you are unsure whether someone has a CCJ or insolvency record, separate checks may be required.
The register is a public record in England and Wales. Searching it through authorised systems is lawful.
However, how the information is used must comply with relevant data protection and employment regulations.
If you are conducting checks as part of business screening, it is important to ensure proper justification and documentation.
Does paying a CCJ remove it from your credit file?
Only if it is paid in full within one calendar month of the judgment date.
Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ older than 6 years?
Once it is removed from the public register after six years, it typically no longer appears on credit reports and may not affect applications.
How do I know if my CCJ has expired?
After six years from the judgment date, it should be automatically removed. You can verify this by checking your credit report or running a current CCJ search.
Does a satisfied CCJ stay for 6 years?
Yes. A satisfied CCJ remains visible for six years unless it was paid within one month.
A CCJ stays on the public record for six years from the date of judgment. Paying it quickly — within one month — is the only way to remove it early. Otherwise, it remains visible, either as satisfied or unsatisfied, until the six-year period expires.
If you need confirmation of whether a CCJ is still active or visible, a structured CCJ search can provide clarity based on the official register.