Becoming bankrupt
When bankruptcy ends
After 12 months, you’re usually released (‘discharged’) automatically from your bankruptcy restrictions and debts. It can take longer if you do not co-operate with the trustee (the person who’s dealing with your bankruptcy).
You must still pay debts that were not included in your bankruptcy until they’re paid off.
Check your discharge date online using the Individual Insolvency Register.
The official receiver or trustee will continue to deal with your bankruptcy after you’re discharged. This means they’ll carry on selling your possessions that were included in the bankruptcy.
If you have an Income Payments Agreement (IPA) or Income Payments Order (IPO), you must keep paying it until it finishes, even after your bankruptcy has ended.
Prove your bankruptcy has ended
Email the Insolvency Service and ask for a letter confirming your bankruptcy has ended. There’s no fee.
Insolvency Service
[email protected]
If you were made bankrupt at a court
You can apply for a ‘certificate of discharge’ if you need further proof your bankruptcy has ended. Contact the court and pay the fee.
Public records of your bankruptcy
The Individual Insolvency Register is updated within 3 months of your discharge.
The notice in the Gazette is a permanent record of your bankruptcy but your details will be left out of internet search engine results after 1 year and 3 months.
Your name will usually be removed from the Land Charges register after 5 years - lenders can search this register if you apply for a mortgage.
The bankruptcy restriction will stay on HM Land Registry’s entry for any property you owned before the bankruptcy until the trustee has dealt with that property. When they’ve dealt with the property, the trustee can remove the restriction.
Your credit record
Credit reference agencies will not be told directly when your bankruptcy ends - they’ll get this information from public records.
Get a copy of your credit reference report - contact a credit reference agency if it needs updating.
Your bankruptcy can stay on your credit reference file for 6 years from the date of your bankruptcy.