Pay records
Recent pay stubs, payroll summaries, or other proof of regular wages for the filing spouse and, when required, the non-filing spouse.
Document checklist
What to gather before the first bankruptcy upload.
Use this checklist when the main question is not what chapter you may need, but what records the office usually needs to start a useful review. The goal is one organized submission, not perfect paperwork on day one.
01
Core Identity
Start with the records that establish who is filing and what the household looks like.
- Driver's license or another current photo ID.
- Social Security card or other reliable proof of the number.
- Basic household information for the filing spouse and, when needed, the non-filing spouse.
- Any recent address-change information if mail is still reaching an older address.
02
Income And Accounts
These are the records that usually let the office start reading the recent financial picture.
Bank statements
Recent monthly statements for checking, savings, online banks, cash-management apps, and investment accounts.
Tax records
Most recent federal and state returns, or IRS transcripts if complete returns are not available yet.
Benefit income
Letters or statements showing Social Security, pension, unemployment, child support, workers' compensation, or other recurring support.
03
Property And Debt
Bring the records that explain what is owned, what is financed, and what is already under pressure.
- Mortgage statements, home-equity loan records, and property-tax notices if a house is involved.
- Vehicle loan statements, title or registration records, and current insurance proof.
- Recent credit-card, personal-loan, or judgment paperwork for major debts that are actively being collected.
- Garnishment notices, foreclosure notices, repossession papers, lawsuits, hearing notices, or anything that carries a live deadline.
- Business income support, profit-and-loss summaries, and business account statements if the filer is self-employed.
04
Format Tips
Clear files beat fancy files. The office needs readable records, not perfect production quality.
Can I use phone photos instead of PDFs?
Yes. Phone photos are acceptable if every page is readable, fully visible, and not cut off by shadows, fingers, or screen glare.
Should I rename every file first?
No. Helpful names are nice, but the more important thing is that the pages are readable and tied to one submission instead of being spread across multiple channels.
What if one category is still incomplete?
Do not wait forever. Upload the available records and explain what is still missing in the notes so the office can understand the gap.
What if I already started a submission?
Use the same Submission ID when you come back. That keeps the file organized and avoids duplicate intake threads.
Ready to turn the checklist into one organized submission?
Open the portal if you have the core records, or use the process page if you want a clearer picture of what happens after the first upload.