Discharge Cert question

viktory

Morning all

I was made BR in 2004 (?) (must check the date) and was subsequently discharged. I have now decided to check my credit file and make sure it was been updated. Question is, do I need a discharge certificate and if so where do I get it from and how much will it cost?

Thanks

fermi

If any of your creditors have failed to update your Credit Reference Files correctly then you may need a certificate, since many creditors will accept no other proof of discharge and its date.

The certificate should be available from the court you petitioned at, and cost about £60. Photocopies of this will be OK to send to each creditor that has an error. Your original BR certificate may be needed as well.

How to make a start can be found here: http://bankruptcy.informe.com/credit-reference-file-clean-up-ae-post-bankruptcy-dt192.html

Conor_3

When you were discharged you should have been given a letter showing this, if not ask the OR. All you need to do is photocopy the letter and send it to the relevent credit reference agencies. You may also want to show it to your bank as well.

You can ask for a certificate but it used to be £60 and IME, the letter always sufficed.

fermi

Some people do not receive a letter.

Plus that letter if received by the BR is not always sufficient for creditors. If you wish to avoid extra months and months and months of faffing around it is always best to get the certificate.

Plus if you should need to challenge a creditors refusal to update your CRF later, then you need to be able to prove to the 'Information Commisioner' that you provided the correct statutory documentation to the creditors.

wherediditallgo

And also keep an eye on your credit file. Since I've been getting alerts on mine, I found out that some of my creditors are putting info on my file about arrears when it should be saying "settled" or "satisfied". If you can keep an eye on this during the course of your BR, there will be less chance of there being incorrect info on your credit file from current creditors when it really matters. Obviously, if you're already near the end of your BR, it might not be worth signing up for such a service, but if you're at/near the beginning I think it's worth it.

rog2

If you did not receive a letter, from the Insolvency Service, then you WILL need a certificate - obtainable from the Court, at which you were declared bankrupt, at a fee of £60 (I think subsequent copies are cheaper).

viktory

Thanks everyone, most helpful :beer:

Wherediditallgo - I am well discharged now, I was discharged in April 2005. It is only now that I am thinking about getting my credit file straight, for peace of mind more than anything. I certainly don't want credit cards etc, but a decent bank account with a debit card would be nice.:D

I did receive a letter from the OR, but really stupidly lost it. Think I will go for the discharge cert and start getting my affairs order.

penguin83

Dont forget as well you can still apply for exemption or remission of the £60.00 fee just like all other court fees if you are in receipt of benefits or a low income. Subsequent copies once you have your certificate are £1.00.

If you have changed address since you were made bankrupt make this clear on your request for the certificate. Insolvency is the only remaining thing that isnt computerised in the courts and so the clerk doing your certificate will send it to the address on your original bankruptcy order.

hth x