Goodwill Adjustment Letter
Ask a creditor to remove a one-time late payment as a courtesy after the account is current.
Voluntary creditor request
When to use it
Use when a late payment is accurate but isolated, you have a strong payment history, and the account is now current.
How to use it
- Keep the tone respectful and brief.
- Explain why the late payment was unusual.
- Show that the account is current and future payments are protected.
- Send to the creditor, not the credit bureau.
Template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Mailing Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
[Creditor Name]
[Creditor Address]
Re: Goodwill adjustment request for account [XXXX]
Dear [Creditor Name] Team:
I value my relationship with your company and am writing to respectfully request a goodwill adjustment for the late payment reported in [month/year].
The late payment occurred because [brief honest explanation]. This was an isolated situation, and the account is now current. I have also taken steps to prevent this from happening again, including [automatic payments / reminders / account monitoring].
Because this late payment is out of character compared with my overall history, I would be grateful if you would consider removing the late-payment notation from my credit reports as a courtesy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
iRunCredit provides free educational information and document templates. We are not a law firm, credit repair organization, lender, credit bureau, or financial advisor, and nothing here is legal, financial, or credit repair advice. You can dispute credit-report errors and contact creditors yourself for free under federal law. Always verify facts, keep copies, and consider a qualified professional for your specific situation.