DROs and bankruptcy · 5 min read
How to apply for a Debt Relief Order: step-by-step guide
How to apply for a Debt Relief Order in England and Wales, from checking eligibility to the Official Receiver's decision. The documents you'll need, how long it takes and what happens next. DROs are free.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 3 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
You apply for a Debt Relief Order through an approved intermediary – a qualified debt adviser – who checks you’re eligible and submits the application online to the Official Receiver. There’s no fee. You’ll need details of your income, spending, assets and debts. Once the DRO is made, creditors named in it can’t chase you or use bailiffs, and the debts are usually written off after 12 months.
DROs are at a record high: 46,939 were made in England and Wales in 2025, and 4,523 in March 2026 alone, the highest monthly figure since DROs began (Insolvency Service).
Step 1: check whether you might qualify
- Are your debts £50,000 or less?
- Is your spare income £75 a month or less after essential costs?
- Are your assets worth £2,000 or less?
- Is any vehicle you own worth less than £4,000?
- Have you lived, had a home or worked in England or Wales in the last 3 years?
- Have you not applied for a DRO in the last 6 years, and aren't in an IVA or bankruptcy?
Simplified checklist based on GOV.UK. Homeowners usually don't qualify. A DRO is free but affects your credit rating for six years. Not advice.
Read the full rules in our Debt Relief Order guide.
Step 2: find an approved intermediary
You can’t apply on your own. Approved intermediaries are experienced debt advisers working for organisations authorised to help with DROs, including many free debt charities and some FCA-authorised debt advice firms. They don’t charge you. You can find free help through MoneyHelper and debt charities, or use our form to speak to an adviser.
Step 3: gather your documents
The adviser will ask for evidence of:
- income: payslips, benefit award letters, pension statements
- spending: rent or mortgage, council tax, energy, travel, childcare and other essential costs
- bank statements: usually the last few months
- debts: letters, statements or a list of who you owe and how much, including any bailiff letters
- assets: savings, valuables and the value of any vehicle (it must be worth less than £4,000)
- ID, such as a passport or driving licence
Don’t worry if you can’t find everything. The adviser can help, and you can check your credit file for a list of debts.
Step 4: the adviser checks and submits your application
The adviser goes through your budget to confirm your spare income is £75 a month or less, checks your assets and debts are within the limits, and makes sure a DRO is the right option. They’ll explain the restrictions and the effect on your credit file. They then submit the application online to the Official Receiver.
Step 5: the Official Receiver decides
The Official Receiver, part of the Insolvency Service, reviews your application. If it’s approved, the DRO is made and your creditors are told. You’ll get confirmation and details of the rules you must follow.
What happens during the DRO
- Creditors named in the DRO can’t take action to recover those debts, including using bailiffs, without the court’s permission.
- You must tell the Official Receiver if your income rises, you get a windfall, or you acquire assets. Your DRO could be revoked.
- You must not borrow £500 or more without telling the lender about your DRO.
- After 12 months, you’re usually discharged from the debts included.
Read will a DRO stop bailiffs?
If bailiffs are already involved
A DRO only protects you once it’s made. While you’re applying, your adviser can apply for Breathing Space, and ask for a 28-day extension to any recent Notice of Enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a DRO application take?
It depends on how quickly you can gather the information. Once submitted, the Official Receiver usually decides within a few weeks.
Do I have to go to court for a DRO?
No. DROs are handled by the Official Receiver, not the court.
What if I’m refused a DRO?
The adviser will explain why and look at other options, such as bankruptcy, an IVA or a payment arrangement.
Sources
- GOV.UK, How to get a debt relief order (DRO)
- GOV.UK, Debt Relief Orders
- Insolvency Service, Individual insolvency statistics, March 2026
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
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