How to go bankrupt. Guide to the process

How can I apply for bankruptcy?

England and Wales

You make yourself bankrupt by:

• Submitting an online application
• Paying the bankruptcy fees

In Northern Ireland

You make yourself bankrupt by:

• Submitting an online application
• Paying the bankruptcy fees
• Going to a court hearing

The people you owe cannot take any further action against you to recover the debt once you go bankrupt.

At the end, most of your debts are written off.

What is an official receiver?

The Official Receiver (OR) is an officer from the Insolvency Service who administers your bankruptcy.

The OR works with a staff of case examiners and will contact the people you owe to tell them about your bankruptcy.

Letters and phone calls from the people you owe should stop after the bankruptcy. They cannot ask your for payments once you are bankrupt.

Let your OR know if calls or letters continue.

What debts can I include in my bankruptcy application?

You can usually include the following debts in your bankruptcy application:

• Unsecured debts like:
• Credit cards
• Personal loans
• Overdrafts
• Priority household arrears, like council tax
• County Court judgments
• Benefit overpayments

What forms do I need to go bankrupt?

You can apply for bankruptcy online.

In Northern Ireland you can apply through the Insolvency Service Public Portal. But you have to attend a court hearing.

Each section explains what information is need and can be completed in your own time.

Get help now

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