How To File Bankruptcy for Free in North Dakota
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many North Dakotans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in North Dakota.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated April 29, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in North Dakota
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify.
If your income is below North Dakota’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
North Dakota Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov. Some courts also require local forms, which we’ll cover in the Local Forms/Requirements for North Dakota section later.
✍️ North Dakota requires anyone filing without a lawyer to write their daytime phone number under every signature line on their forms.
If you’re filing without a lawyer in North Dakota, you can submit your bankruptcy forms in person, by mail, or online through the court’s electronic filing system.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
📍The North Dakota Bankruptcy Court has one main filing office: Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse 655 1st Ave. North, Suite 210 Fargo, ND 58102-4932
How filing works with Upsolve →
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
North Dakota Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2026Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don't qualify for a fee waiver, you'll need to pay when you submit your forms. You can pay the full $338, or if approved for installments, pay at least $100 up front and the rest over time (usually four payments within 120 days).
💰 You can pay the $338 filing fee using a money order or cashier's check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court or with cash (exact change). You can also pay online at Pay.gov using a bank account, PayPal, or debit card.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Local Forms/Requirements for North Dakota
No matter how you file, you must submit the following items in person or by mail:
Creditor Mailing List (a list of everyone you owe, with mailing addresses) and a signed Verification of Creditor Mailing List
North Dakota accepts this list as a hard copy, by email, or as a .txt file on a CD.
Be sure to follow the court’s formatting rules.
Statement Concerning Payment Advices, if you didn’t receive paychecks in the past 60 days
Extra step for eSR filers: After you submit your petition online, the court will email instructions. Within 14 days, you'll need to mail or deliver the local forms listed above, the filing fee, and a Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing.
👉 For full details on what's required when you file, including payment options and which forms to submit, see North Dakota’s Chapter 7 checklist on the court’s website.
Free Legal Aid in North Dakota
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across North Dakota. Legal Services of North Dakota (701) 222-2110 4007 State St. Bismarck, ND 58501
