Bankruptcy is a form-driven type of law. The free fillable bankruptcy forms you'll need can be found on the U.S. Courts website. Your case will begin once you’ve completed them and filed the forms with your local bankruptcy court.

The Bankruptcy Forms by Chapter

You’ll use the forms in the first list for both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The second set of lists includes forms specific to each bankruptcy chapter. Finally, in the last list, you’ll find forms that you might or might not need, depending on your case.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Forms

Everyone who files for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 must complete and file the following forms even if there’s nothing to report (write “none” in the disclosure box).

• B 101 Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy
• B 105 Involuntary Petition Against an Individual
• B 106 Decl Declaration About an Individual Debtor’s Schedules
• B 106 Sum A Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information
• B 106A/B Schedule A/B: Property
• B 106C Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt
• B 106D Schedule D: Creditors Who Hold Claims Secured By Property
• B 106E/F Schedule E/F: Creditors Who Have Unsecured Claims
• B 106G Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
• B 106H Schedule H: Your Codebtors
• B 106I Schedule I: Your Income
• B 106J Schedule J: Your Expenses
• B 107 Your Statement of Financial Affairs for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy
• B 121 Your Statement About Your Social Security Numbers

Additional required form. You’ll also need to prepare a list of the names and addresses of your creditors using the format required by your court’s local rules. You’ll find the local rules on the court’s website.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms

The first two forms must be filed in a Chapter 7 case. The last two forms can help you pass the means test and qualify for a Chapter 7 debt discharge.

• B 108 Statement of Intention for Individuals Filing Under Chapter 7
• B 122A-1 Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income
• B 122A-1Supp Statement of Exemption from Presumption of Abuse Under §707(b)(2)
• B 122A-2 Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation

Find out about the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Forms

You’ll need these forms for your Chapter 13 plan.

• B 113 Chapter 13 Plan
• B 122C-1 Chapter 13 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period
• B 122C-2 Chapter 13 Calculation of Your Disposable Income

Other Bankruptcy Forms

These forms aren’t required in each case—only when applicable. For instance, you’ll use one or more if you need to disclose an eviction judgment, want help paying the bankruptcy fee, if you're paying expenses for two homes, or if you used a bankruptcy petition preparer.

• B 101A Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You
• B 101B Statement About Payment of an Eviction Judgment Against You
• B 103A Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments
• B 103B Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived
• B 106J-2 Schedule J-2: Expenses for Separate Household of Debtor 2
• B 119 Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration and Signature

If you're represented by an attorney, your attorney will need to disclose the amount paid and who made the payment on your behalf, if it wasn't you.

Filling Out the Bankruptcy Forms

Each form has instructions explaining the type of information needed. The forms don’t cover the legal consequences of your entries, however, so you’ll want learn what will happen in your case by doing research or by consulting with a bankruptcy lawyer.

If you’re not sure which chapter to file, start by reading When Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Better Than Chapter 13?