Chapter 7 Documents: What You Need To Fill Out Your Bankruptcy Forms

If you’re filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your own — whether with Upsolve’s free filing tool or by yourself — getting your documents together is a great place to start. 

Filing bankruptcy requires filling out a lot of forms, and having the right supporting documents on hand can make the process much easier. Think of this step as laying the groundwork for your case. 

The forms you'll fill out ask for details about your income, expenses, debts, and property, and the documents you collect will help you fill them out accurately. Being organized now can also help avoid delays or issues later on with the court or trustee.

This article will walk you through the most common documents people gather when preparing to file. 

Documents You’ll Need To File Chapter 7

As you prepare to file your Chapter 7 case, you’ll need to gather certain documents to support the information in your bankruptcy forms. 

Some of these documents must be submitted to the court as part of your case. Others are usually sent to your bankruptcy trustee after your case is filed. Without the right paperwork, it can be harder to get your case approved and receive a discharge.

That said, not every document on this checklist will apply to every filer. 

💡 The easiest way to think about it is: Do you have a reason to have this document? For example, if you’ve never been divorced, you won’t need to track down a divorce decree. So as you review this list, focus only on the documents that apply to your specific situation.

Income Documents

Eligibility for Chapter is primarily based on income. To prove your income, you’ll need:

• Tax returns

• Proof of income

  • Pay stubs or other proof of income if you’re a W2 worker or contractor

  • Profit and loss statements if you’re self-employed or a business owner

📌 Note: Don’t send your Social Security benefit statements, 1099s, or W-2s to the court when you file. These may be requested by the trustee after your case is submitted.

✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll be prompted to upload digital copies of your tax returns and proof of income.

Tax Returns

Most filers need to provide copies of their federal tax returns from the past two calendar years. If you filed state tax returns, your trustee may request those too, even though they aren’t required by law. 

If you don’t have copies, you can request a transcript for free from the IRS. Tax returns help confirm your income and financial history.

📝 If you weren’t required to file a tax return for one or both years, you’ll usually need to provide a short written statement explaining that. This sometimes happens for filers whose income was too low.

✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll be prompted to upload digital copies of your tax returns.

Pay Stubs

🗓️You’ll need proof of your income from at least the last 60 days before filing. Many trustees prefer to see pay stubs going back 6–7 months if you have them. 

💍 If you’re filing jointly with a spouse, include their income too. 

If you’re unemployed, you don’t need pay stubs, but if you worked multiple jobs, make sure to include stubs from all employers. 

Your income will be used to complete forms like Schedule I and the Statement of Financial Affairs, which are two of the required bankruptcy forms.

✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll be prompted to upload digital copies of your pay stubs.

Profit and Loss Statements (Self-Employed or Business Owners)

If you run a business or farm, you’ll need to show recent profit and loss statements, along with any records of income and expenses. This helps show how much you actually earn after business costs are taken into account.

Credit Counseling and Financial Education Certificates

To file your Chapter 7 case and receive your discharge, you’ll need to complete two required courses. The first course must be completed before you file, and you’ll submit the certificate of completion with your bankruptcy forms when you file with the court.

👉 Before you file: You’ll need to take a credit counseling course from an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee’s Office. 

This course must be taken within 180 days (about six months) before filing your case. Once you complete it, you’ll get a certificate that needs to be filed with your other bankruptcy forms. If you don’t file it within 14 days of submitting your case, the court may dismiss your case.

👉 After you file: To receive your discharge (the court order that erases your qualifying debts), you’ll need to take a second course called the debtor education or financial management course. 

You can only take this course after your case is filed. Once you complete it, you’ll receive a second certificate that must be filed with the court within 60 days of your 341 meeting (the meeting of creditors).

You can take both courses online, by phone, or in person. Just make sure the provider is approved for your state and that you hang on to your certificates.

Other Important Documents

• Identification: You’ll need to bring proof of identity to your 341 meeting. 

  • Most people bring a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport) and proof of their Social Security number. 

  • If you don’t have a driver’s license, other accepted forms of ID include a state ID card, student ID, resident alien card, or a consular ID.

• For Social Security number verification, most trustees will accept your Social Security card. 

  • If you don’t have it, alternatives include a Medicare card, IRS tax notice, W-2, or a Social Security Administration letter.

• Retirement Account Statements: If you have any retirement accounts — like a 401(k), IRA, or pension plan — collect your most recent account statements. 

  • These should show your balance, account number, and any recent transactions. 

  • Most retirement accounts are protected in Chapter 7, especially if they fall under ERISA rules, but having this documentation helps confirm that your accounts qualify for protection.

• Education Savings Accounts: If you have a 529 plan or an education IRA (also called a Coverdell ESA), you’ll need to provide records of the account. Trustees typically review the balance, named beneficiary, and any recent contributions or withdrawals. You can get this information by requesting a recent statement from your plan provider..

Helpful Documents

Of course, the information needed to complete the bankruptcy forms goes well beyond what you’ll be able to glean from the required documents. So, let’s take a look at what other documents you’ll want to collect so you’re ready to prepare and file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Information About Your Debts

• Bills (creditor statements): Gather statements and agreements from credit card companies, store cards, medical bills, and every other creditor. 

  • You can get a copy on the billing company’s website if you can’t find one at home.

• Collection notices: Save your collection notices. Note where the debt originally came from. 

  • Some debts may have been sold to a collection agency. You should receive notice of this.

• Legal notices (lawsuits): Gather legal notices. Legal actions such as garnishments or orders for child support, alimony, court fines, and criminal actions need to be reported. 

  • If you’re a party to a civil action, you’ll have to list it on the bankruptcy forms, and having documents from the case is helpful to make sure you get all of the information you need.

• Credit reports: You can get a free credit report every week. If you’re filing a bankruptcy case, it’s a good time to get one.

  • Your credit report can help you confirm your creditors and debts, and you can also check it for errors. Disputing errors can help improve your credit score.

Information About Your Expenses

Expenses are what you spend, not a past-due debt. 

💡 For instance, your past due cell phone bill from your old carrier is a debt. The cell phone bill you pay every month for your current cell service is an expense.

You’ll need to list your expenses on your bankruptcy forms, so it can be helpful to gather:

• Utility, Phone, Internet, and TV bills

  • Here’s a list of common household expenses: heating and cooling, garbage pickup, cell phone and landline phone, internet, satellite, cable television or internet service. 

  • Get a copy of a bill for each service you have and call the company and ask for a statement of last year’s bills. 

  • You may be able to get a copy online at the company website. 

• Car loan statements: If you have any car loans, you’ll need your loan contracts and a record of payments. Get a copy from your loan company.

  • Many Chapter 7 filers are able to keep their car in bankruptcy.

• Mortgage or rental statements: Get your most recent statement for your mortgage, home equity loan, or a copy of your rental agreement. 

  • The courts will take into consideration taxes, homeowners’ insurance, home maintenance, repair, and upkeep, so check your credit card statements and receipts.

• Bank statements: Collect all bank statements with your name and proof of certificates of deposit (CDs). Get copies from your bank or online. 

  • The trustee will review these for expenses, assets, and joint accounts, to make sure all of the information on your bankruptcy forms matches up with what’s in your bank statements.

• Medical and childcare: If you have ongoing medically necessary expenses, gather receipts for the past year. If you have childcare expenses necessary for work, gather receipts for the past year.

• Religious and Charitable: If you tithe or give to charity, get a yearly statement from the church or charitable organization.

• Entertainment: You can count some entertainment expenses. Gather receipts or bank statements that show movies, memberships, subscriptions, and kids’ activities.

If you forget an expense after filing your petition, you’ll have to amend (update) your forms, so it’s always better to be thorough the first time around.

Information About Your Assets

An asset is property you own and can be tangible or intangible. Personal property, real estate, and ownership interest in a legal action are all examples of assets. If you are part owner in your brother’s restaurant or your son’s car, that interest will count as an asset.

Here are some asset documents you may need to gather:

• Car and vehicle titles: Get titles for all vehicles in your name.

• Life Insurance: If you have life insurance, the trustee may want to see a statement showing its cash value (if any) and identifying the named beneficiary.

• Stocks, bonds and retirement accounts: You will need proof of investments including the name of the institution and the current value. 

• Divorce Decree: If you’ve been divorced in the 10 years before your bankruptcy filing, your bankruptcy trustee will most likely want to see your divorce decree. 

  • They use the information in the decree to double check that the information contained in your forms is accurate.

• Property tax bills: If you own your home, you’ll need a property tax bill to show debt and expenses. 

  • Call your town clerk for a copy. 

  • The appraisal value on the property tax form is not proof of real property value for bankruptcy.

• Proof of real property value: Real property is your house or land (real estate). 

  • Get a comparable market analysis from an agent or hire a real estate appraiser to give you a value. You’ll be able to discuss the appraisal.

• Proof of personal property value: You’ll need to know the current fair market value of cars, boats, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes. 

  • The Kelley Blue Book can determine fair market value for cars. 

  • Fine art and expensive jewelry will need a formal appraisal. Get your appraisals ready.

If you own valuable assets like a home or expensive jewelry, it’s best to speak to get professional help for your bankruptcy case. Upsolve can connect you with a local attorney for a free consultation.

Understanding Bankruptcy Forms vs. Supporting Documents

Before diving into the checklist, it helps to understand the difference between bankruptcy forms and bankruptcy documents.

Bankruptcy forms are the official paperwork you file with the court. Bankruptcy documents are the real-life records you use to complete those forms accurately. 

🔑 The forms tell your financial story; the documents help prove it. Here’s a little more information about each.

Bankruptcy Forms

📂 Bankruptcy forms are the official paperwork you’ll fill out and file with the court when you’re starting your Chapter 7 case. You’ll also hear this referred to as your bankruptcy petition.

These include forms with names like the Voluntary Petition, Statement of Financial Affairs, and a set of documents called schedules. The schedules ask for detailed information about your income, expenses, property, and debts. There’s also a form called the means test that helps figure out if you qualify for Chapter 7.

These forms are required in every Chapter 7 case, and you can find them (along with instructions) for free on the U.S. Courts’ website.

This may sound like a lot, but if you’re using a tool like Upsolve, you’ll be guided through the questions step by step without having to fill out the actual court forms by hand. You can see if you qualify to use our tool in just two minutes.

Bankruptcy Documents

📨Bankruptcy documents, on the other hand, are the real-life records you use to complete the required bankruptcy forms. Think of them like puzzle pieces that help you build the full picture of your financial situation. 

Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and bills are all examples of documents that support and prove the information you include in your forms.

You’ll be required to file some of these documents with the court as part of your official case. The bankruptcy trustee assigned to your case may ask to review other forms.

Finally, there are some documents that aren’t required but will be very helpful to have as you fill out the required forms.