Gathering paperwork for your bankruptcy application

A bankruptcy online application is straightforward — most rejections and delays come from missing information or inconsistency. Gathering documents first means you can submit in one sitting.

Identity documents

• Full legal name and any previous names
• Date of birth
• Current address and addresses in the last 3 years
• National Insurance number
• Driving licence or passport and proof of address (recent utility bill)

Income

• Last 3 payslips (or self-employed accounts if applicable)
• P60 from your employer
• Recent benefit award letters (UC, PIP, ESA, child benefit)
• Pension statements
• Other income (maintenance, lodger, side income)

Essential living costs

• Last 3 months of bank statements for every account, showing your spending
• Recent utility bills (gas, electricity, water)
• Rent or mortgage statement
• Council tax bill
• Childcare and any medical or care costs

Debts

• Creditor names and addresses
• Account references
• Current balances (or estimate if unsure)
• Most recent statement from each credit card and loan
• Any CCJ documentation from courts
• Letters from debt collection agencies
• Whether debts are joint (with a partner)

Assets

• Property details (estimated value via Zoopla or a local agent, outstanding mortgage)
• Vehicle (estimated value via Parkers, whether financed or owned)
• Bank accounts and savings
• Pension statements (state pension forecast, workplace pension)
• Anything worth over £500

Useful tips before applying

• Scan everything and store as PDFs. You can store documents in Debtrupt once your account is set up.
• Match your figures to bank statements — UC payments, salary credits and recent rent debits should be consistent.
• Photograph everything — some screenshots may be requested during the application.
• Keep originals safe — the Official Receiver may ask to see physical documents.

The Filing Tracker in your dashboard generates a 7-task checklist automatically — keeping court, payment and document evidence in one place.

What NOT to do

• Do not transfer assets to family or sell them below value before bankruptcy — this is a transaction at undervalue and the Official Receiver can reverse it.
• Do not pay one creditor a lump sum before declaring — this is a preference and may be reversed.
• Do not take new credit between now and the application.

Speak to a debt charity first

Submitting bankruptcy without professional review can be costly. Free debt charities typically review your application form and confirm if bankruptcy is the best route. See How to apply for bankruptcy online for the step-by-step process.

England & Wales only. General information, not legal advice.