Bankruptcy Search

How can I search the bankruptcy records?

You can search the bankruptcy records online, or by visiting your local official receiver's office. All searches are free of charge. By ordering a bankruptcy search you can discover whether any person or company is, has been or is about to be made bankrupt.

Online

The easiest and quickest way to search the bankruptcy records is by visiting the Insolvency Service website at www.insolvency.gov.uk and clicking on the link labelled ‘Bankruptcy/IVA search’ on the home page. This will give you instant access to all the information on the bankruptcy records register.
You can search the database online with just the surname (or even part of the surname) of the individual. The search can cover the whole of England and Wales, or the area covered by a particular official receiver's office.

What information will a bankruptcy search will provide:

• Name and address of the bankrupt on the date of the bankruptcy order, together with any known business address
• The bankruptcy registration number
• Date of the bankruptcy and the name of the Court that made the order, together with the case number

Local official receiver's office

You can also perform an on-line search of bankruptcy records by visiting your local official receiver's office Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. For details of your nearest official receiver's office, please check your phone book, or call The Insolvency Enquiry Line on 0845 602 9848.
What details can I get from public bankruptcy records?

For Bankruptcy orders the information includes:

• the bankrupt's name (including any other names by which the bankrupt was known)
• occupation and trading details
• date of birth
• last known address
• details of the currently bankruptcy order
• the automatic discharge date
• or, where appropriate, the date the bankrupt was discharged.

Bankruptcy > Search the Individual Insolvency Register

The Register contains:

• details of bankruptcies that are either current or have ended in the last 3 months
• current individual voluntary arrangements and fast track voluntary arrangements
• current bankruptcy restrictions orders and undertakings.

How to search the register

1. On-line
   You can search the database free of charge on-line with just the surname (or even part of the surname) of the individual and the search can be of the whole of England and Wales, or the area covered by an individual Official Receiver’s office.
   If you would like to carry out an on-line search click here
   You will be given the option to print the results.
2. Local Official Receiver’s office
   You can visit your local Official Receiver’s office Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Please check your phone book for details of your nearest Official Receiver’s office or click here for further information. Alternatively you can call The Insolvency Service Insolvency Enquiry Line on 0845 602 9848.

   You will receive a report of any records that match your request. If there is no match for your request, you will receive a report stating “no match found”. We will normally respond to your request within 7 working days of receipt.

3. By subscription
   You can subscribe to the Insolvency Service to gain access to the data via an XML based data file. Potential subscribers will need to ensure that they have the expertise and the internal systems able to process the XML file. To see the terms and conditions of use click here
4. Where can I find records of company liquidations and disqualified directors?
   You can search the disqualified directors register at Companies House by clicking here.
   You can also obtain details from:
   The Register of Companies
   Companies House
   Crown Way
   Maindy
   CARDIFF
   CF4 3UX
   Tel: 02920 388588.

If you would like to speak to one of the team about a bankruptcy search please contact Money Advice Direct bankruptcy team on 0800 074 6918.

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