How long does bankruptcy last?
This guide covers England and Wales
The short answer
Bankruptcy usually ends automatically after 12 months. This is called discharge. It can take longer if you do not cooperate with the person managing your case.
Some records last much longer than the bankruptcy itself. A bankruptcy can stay on your credit file for 6 years.
Last checked against GOV.UK: Becoming bankrupt, when bankruptcy ends on 30 October 2026.
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When bankruptcy ends
GOV.UK says bankruptcy usually ends about 12 months after it starts. You can check your discharge date on the public insolvency register.
The Insolvency Service emails a free letter to confirm that bankruptcy has ended. If a court made you bankrupt, you can pay a fee to ask for a certificate of discharge.
How long records last
Different records have different dates. They do not all end when bankruptcy ends.
- Credit file: a bankruptcy can stay on your credit file for 6 years from the start. Credit reference agencies learn of the discharge from public records.
- Insolvency register: updated within 3 months of discharge.
- Land Charges register: your name is usually removed after 5 years. Mortgage lenders can check it until then.
- Gazette notice: it stays on record, but after 1 year and 3 months your details are left out of internet search engine results.
What can carry on after discharge
The official receiver or trustee can keep selling assets that were part of the bankruptcy, even after discharge. An income payments agreement or order carries on until it ends. An agreement can last up to 3 years.
Debts that were not part of the bankruptcy still need to be repaid.
Restrictions can be longer
While you are bankrupt there are rules, such as telling lenders if you borrow more than £500. GOV.UK says the rules last until bankruptcy ends.
The official receiver can ask to extend them if they think you acted carelessly or dishonestly. This is done by an undertaking you agree to, or by a court order.
What to do next
Free, independent debt advice
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Related guides
- What is bankruptcy? Plain-English guideHow bankruptcy works in England and Wales: how it starts, what happens to your home, money and belongings, the rules you follow and how it ends.
- What does bankruptcy cost?The official bankruptcy fee in England and Wales, where help with the fee may come from, and the other costs of bankruptcy.
- IVA or bankruptcy? The main differencesA side-by-side look at an IVA and bankruptcy in England and Wales: cost, length, your home, your credit record and risks. We do not pick a winner.