The £680 breakdown
The £550 deposit funds the initial work of the Official Receiver — the government office that administers the bankruptcy. It is called a deposit but it is not refundable and is not returned at the end.
The £130 adjudicator fee covers the cost of the Insolvency Service assessing the application and issuing the bankruptcy order. This is also non-refundable.
These fees have been the same amount for several years and remain in place for 2026.
Paying in instalments
The Insolvency Service allows you to pay the £680 in instalments before submission. Common patterns are £50-£100 monthly across 7-13 months.
The full £680 must be paid before your bankruptcy application will be reviewed. Once you have paid the full amount, you can complete the application at any time.
You cannot pay the fee after the bankruptcy is granted. The application is only processed once the fee is complete.
If you cannot afford £680
If you cannot afford the fee at all, options are more limited than for DROs (where charities help more often). Some charities occasionally help with bankruptcy fees but this is uncommon.
If your total unsecured debts are under £50,000 and you have minimal surplus and assets, a DRO is likely the better route — much cheaper at £90 and often more suitable for people in the "cannot afford £680" bracket.
For debts above £50,000 or with more assets, the £680 needs to come from somewhere. Some people save from benefits or restricted income; some borrow from family; some sell an asset (though the proceeds then have to be spent on essentials before applying, not held as savings that would be lost in the bankruptcy).