Bankruptcy Documents Checklist
To file for bankruptcy you will need proof of income for the six months before filing, recent tax returns, a list of all debts with creditor addresses, statements for bank and retirement accounts, property and vehicle records, monthly expenses, a photo ID and Social Security proof, and a certificate showing you completed credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days before filing.
Bankruptcy requires complete and accurate disclosure under penalty of perjury. Gathering documents first makes the means test and the schedules much easier.
Download the printable checklist (PDF): free, one or two pages, made to print and fill in by hand.
Identity and counseling
- ☐ Government-issued photo ID
- ☐ Proof of Social Security number
- ☐ Credit counseling certificate from an approved provider
Income
- ☐ Pay stubs and other income records for the last 6 months
- ☐ Federal and state tax returns, usually the last 2 to 4 years
- ☐ Records of benefits, support, rental or business income
Debts
- ☐ Credit card statements
- ☐ Medical bills
- ☐ Personal, payday, auto and student loans
- ☐ Mortgage statements
- ☐ Collection letters and lawsuits
- ☐ Back taxes, child support or alimony owed
Assets
- ☐ Bank statements
- ☐ Retirement account statements
- ☐ Real estate deeds and recent value estimates
- ☐ Vehicle titles and loan payoff amounts
- ☐ List of household goods and valuables
- ☐ Money owed to you, including tax refunds
Expenses and history
- ☐ Monthly budget: housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance
- ☐ Payments made to creditors in the last 90 days, and to relatives in the last year
- ☐ Property sold or given away in the last 2 years
Tips
- List every creditor, including friends and family; unlisted debts can cause problems.
- Do not run up new debt or transfer property before filing.
Official resources
- United States Courts: Chapter 7 bankruptcy basics
- United States Courts: Chapter 13 bankruptcy basics
- U.S. Trustee Program: Credit counseling and debtor education
- United States Courts: Filing without an attorney
This checklist is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a legal form. Rules and deadlines vary by state; a licensed attorney can tell you what applies to your situation. Find a lawyer near you.
Sources
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This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws differ by state and change over time; talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your situation.