188体育

There are other options for dealing with your debts that do not restrict what you can do as much as bankruptcy does. Before you apply to become bankrupt, find out about other options for dealing with your debts.

How to apply

You can only apply online.

Apply for bankruptcy.

It costs 拢680. If you鈥檙e struggling to pay the fee, a charity may be able to help. Find out where to get free debt advice.

After you鈥檝e applied

Someone who works for the Insolvency Service (called an 鈥榓djudicator鈥�) will check if your application meets the requirements for bankruptcy.

They鈥檒l see if any other money could be used to pay your debts instead, for example your pension or savings. If you have access to other money and it covers your debts, the adjudicator might refuse to make you bankrupt.

If the adjudicator decides you can be made bankrupt, they鈥檒l accept your application and issue a bankruptcy order.

They鈥檒l then pass your case on to an 鈥榦fficial receiver鈥� who鈥檒l deal with your bankruptcy.

Your name will be added to the Land Charges register - lenders can search this register if you apply for a mortgage.

If you鈥檙e the sole owner of a property, HM Land Registry will add an entry to the register it holds for your property. This might mean you cannot sell your property.

Find out what happens after you鈥檝e become bankrupt.

How long it takes

You鈥檒l get an email or letter from the adjudicator within 28 days of submitting your application confirming whether you鈥檝e been made bankrupt. It can take longer if they need to ask you more questions.

If you鈥檝e changed your gender or name

If you鈥檝e changed your gender or name, you might have to include this on your bankruptcy application. The official receiver might need to tell other people your previous name if:

• they need to do that to protect or recover the things you own

• it will help people or organisations identify what you owe them