UK insolvency guide
The Individual Insolvency Register Explained
What the Individual Insolvency Register covers, how long records stay listed, and how to search it using gov.uk's official tool.
By Editorial team · England and Wales · Updated 10 August 2026
The Individual Insolvency Register Explained
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.
The Individual Insolvency Register is the free public register for personal insolvencies in England and Wales. It is the official place to search current bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders, IVAs and certain restriction orders or undertakings. Source
Jurisdiction: This register is only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate arrangements.
At a glance
| Point | What the official guidance says |
|---|---|
| Scope | The register covers England and Wales. Authority |
| Cases | It lists bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders and Individual Voluntary Arrangements. Authority |
| Restrictions | It also lists current Bankruptcy Restriction Orders and Undertakings and Debt Relief Restriction Orders and Undertakings. Authority |
| Search | It can be searched by a person’s name or trading name. Authority |
| Cost | The search is free. Authority |
| Removal | Records are usually removed within 3 months of a case ending. Authority |
| Correction | To correct an entry, contact the office that dealt with the insolvency. Authority |
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.
What the register is for
The register gives the public a way to check live or recently completed formal insolvency cases in England and Wales. It does not list every kind of debt problem, and it is not a credit-reporting service. Source
The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source
What the acronyms mean
BRO and BRU mean Bankruptcy Restriction Order and Undertaking. DRRO and DRRU are the Debt Relief equivalents; these are separate restrictions that can appear alongside the core bankruptcy or DRO record. Source
The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source
Using the official search
The official register search takes a name or trading name. It is preferable to use the government tool rather than rely on a third-party search page. Source
The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source
How long a record remains
“Usually within 3 months” is not the same as a permanent history. A result not appearing today cannot prove that a person never had an insolvency case, and it does not establish the state of informal arrangements. Source
The published rules need to be read together rather than as a single deciding factor. Source
Other nations
Scotland and Northern Ireland do not use this England-and-Wales register. Scotland’s insolvency records are maintained within the Accountant in Bankruptcy system. 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
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
What is the Individual Insolvency Register?
It's a free public register, run by the Insolvency Service, covering bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders and IVAs in England and Wales. Source
How do I search the register?
You can search by name or trading name using gov.uk's official tool at gov.uk/search-bankruptcy-insolvency-register. Source
How long does someone stay listed?
Gov.uk states records are usually removed within 3 months of the case ending. Source
What do BRO, BRU, DRRO and DRRU mean?
These are Bankruptcy/Debt Relief Restriction Orders and Undertakings — additional restrictions that can be listed alongside a case, often linked to misconduct. Source
Does the register cover Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No — this register covers England and Wales only. Scotland has its own register maintained by the Accountant in Bankruptcy. 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.