How to Apply for a Debt Relief Order (DRO): Step by Step

We're a directory, not a debt adviser. This page explains options in plain English. It is not financial or legal advice. If you want free, regulated debt advice, contact StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. For a formal insolvency solution, speak to an authorised insolvency practitioner or a debt-law solicitor.

A Debt Relief Order application is an online application made for an eligible person by an approved debt adviser, sometimes called an approved intermediary. It is an England and Wales process and is decided by the Official Receiver, not by a court hearing. Source

Jurisdiction: The guide concerns England and Wales. The Scottish bankruptcy application route and Northern Ireland processes are different.

At a glance

The table is a summary of published rules, not a personal assessment. Figures and conditions can change, so use the linked authority and a regulated adviser for the current position.

Step 1: look at the published criteria

The adviser will consider the DRO eligibility rules before submitting anything. This includes the debt, asset, vehicle, income, home-ownership, residency and previous-DRO conditions on the government’s DRO page. Source

The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source

Step 2: speak to an approved intermediary

The statutory process uses an approved debt adviser as the route into a DRO. Free debt-advice charities may be able to explain whether they can act as an intermediary or point a reader to an appropriate service. Source

The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source

Step 3: assemble a full financial picture

An application needs an accurate account of debts, income, household spending and assets. The adviser uses this information to prepare the online application; accuracy matters because a DRO can be cancelled if circumstances change. Source

The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source

Step 4: submission and decision

Once the intermediary submits the application, the Official Receiver assesses it against the rules. The official guidance does not promise a fixed decision time, so this article does not give one. Source

The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source

After approval or refusal

If approved, the order is recorded and the 12-month restrictions begin. If refused, the written reasons help the adviser and applicant understand the basis of the decision; they do not amount to a personal recommendation about another solution. Source

The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source

Using this information

This guide explains published rules and terms, but it cannot establish how those rules apply to a particular person, household or creditor. A regulated adviser reviews the full facts, including documents, income, assets, debts and where the person lives in the UK. Source

The figures in the table are useful signposts, not a calculator or an approval decision. A small change in the facts can matter, and formal processes have duties that are not visible from a headline threshold alone. Source

Free debt-advice charities can explain the available routes without promoting a commercial firm. An authorised insolvency practitioner or debt-law solicitor can explain the legal process for a formal solution where that is relevant. Source

This page was reviewed on 10 August 2026. The linked authority is the place to check the current wording, because legislation, fees, forms and administrative guidance can change. Source

Reading rules alongside the facts

A rule can look straightforward while its application depends on evidence and timing. Account statements, valuations, creditor balances, household income, benefits, property interests and previous formal arrangements may all affect the information considered in a case. This is why the guide uses neutral language rather than treating a checklist, table or public record as a conclusion about an individual. The authority link and a regulated professional provide the route to current, case-specific clarification.

Related information

• Debt Relief Order hub
• DRO eligibility checklist
• Life after a DRO
• The Official Receiver explained
• Help with unaffordable debts

Talk to a regulated professional. The right route out of debt depends on your specific circumstances — income, assets, debts, dependents and where you live in the UK. A regulated insolvency practitioner or a debt-advice charity can review your position and set out the options that apply to you. Find a regulated practitioner near you or contact a free debt-advice charity listed above.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a DRO without a debt adviser?

No. Gov.uk states you must apply through an approved debt adviser (intermediary) — you cannot apply for a DRO on your own. Source

Who decides if I get a DRO?

The official receiver, a civil servant at the Insolvency Service, considers and determines DRO applications — not a court. Source

Is there a fee to apply for a DRO?

No. Gov.uk confirms you do not need to pay for a DRO. Source

What happens if my DRO application is refused?

The official receiver must give written reasons for declining an application, sent by post to the debtor. Source

What happens once my DRO is approved?

You enter a 12-month moratorium during which creditors can't chase the listed debts. At the end, most qualifying debts are written off. Source

This page is published by The Insolvency Directory for general information about UK personal insolvency and debt options. It is not financial, legal, tax or debt advice, and reading it does not create a client relationship. The information is a summary — the rules change and depend on your circumstances. For advice specific to you, contact a regulated debt-advice charity or an authorised insolvency practitioner. Last reviewed 2026-08-10.