How long does it take to fix deceased status on credit report?

Question

I just found out my credit report lists me as deceased, and I need to know how long it's going to take to fix this. I have major financial decisions pending, I'm in the middle of buying a house, I need to refinance my car loan, and I have credit card applications that are being held up. Every day this error stays on my report is costing me opportunities and potentially money. The credit bureau told me it could take up to 30 days to investigate, but that seems ridiculous when all they need to do is look at the proof I'm sending them that I'm alive. Is 30 days really the standard? Is there any way to speed this up? And what happens if they miss that deadline?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus generally have up to 30 days to complete an investigation after receiving your dispute. However, given the extreme nature of a "deceased" error and the immediate harm it causes, credit bureaus should act much faster, and in some cases, they are required to. When you provide clear, unambiguous proof that you are alive (government ID, recent financial activity, etc.), there is no legitimate reason for a bureau to take a full month to remove an obviously false deceased notation.

Here's what you should know about timing:

Credit bureaus must acknowledge your dispute and begin investigation upon receipt
They should prioritize "deceased" errors given the severe impact on consumers
If you provide compelling proof of life, they may correct the error in days rather than weeks
If they miss the 30-day deadline or fail to investigate reasonably, they may be violating the FCRA
You can escalate by filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) while your dispute is pending

If the credit bureau is dragging its feet, dismissing your evidence, or if the 30-day period has passed without correction, you may have legal grounds to force faster action or seek compensation for harm. Time is critical in these cases, especially when you have pending financial transactions. We help clients expedite corrections by applying legal pressure on credit bureaus and, when necessary, filing lawsuits to force immediate action. If this error is costing you real opportunities or financial losses, contact us for a free consultation. We can help you understand whether the bureau is meeting its legal obligations and what steps you can take to protect your interests.