Official form guide
Form No.13 Petition by a Debtor to Be Adjudicated a Bankrupt
Form No.13 is a petition that a debtor files to ask the High Court to be adjudicated bankrupt. Use it when you want to voluntarily start personal bankruptcy proceedings in Ireland.
Need help with Form No.13 Petition by a Debtor to Be Adjudicated a Bankrupt?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.13 Petition by a Debtor to Be Adjudicated a Bankrupt
Form No.13 is a petition that a debtor files to ask the High Court to be adjudicated bankrupt. Use it when you want to voluntarily start personal bankruptcy proceedings in Ireland.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to sign the statutory declaration.
- 2Leaving out a debt or asset
- 3Incorrect or missing signatures
- 4Failing to attach the statutory declaration
- 5Submitting the wrong version of the form
Plain English
If you are overwhelmed by debts and want the court to declare you bankrupt, you fill out this form. It tells the court why you cannot pay and asks for a bankruptcy order.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed filing deadline, but the petition should be lodged promptly after deciding on bankruptcy to avoid further creditor action.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- When you, the debtor, want to initiate personal bankruptcy.
- When you have no viable repayment plan and creditors are pursuing you.
- When you need a court order to discharge debts and protect assets.
- Instead of a creditor’s petition (Form No.12), which is filed by a creditor, not the debtor.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Creditor wants you bankrupt
Creditor‑initiated bankruptcy
✓ Verify who is filing
Form No.12 Petition by a Creditor
Company liquidation needed
Corporate winding‑up
✓ Use CRO forms
Debt restructuring without bankruptcy
No court order needed
✓ Consider mediation first
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed filing deadline, but the petition should be lodged promptly after deciding on bankruptcy to avoid further creditor action.
Before you submit
- 1All personal details are legible and match official ID.
- 2Complete list of all creditors with amounts owed.
- 3Accurate valuation of assets and liabilities.
- 4Statutory declaration signed and witnessed.
- 5Filing fee paid and receipt attached.
- 6Form signed in the designated places.
- 7All required schedules attached.
- 8Copy of the form retained for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Collect debt statements, asset valuations, and income records.
- 2Fill out Form No.13 on paper or via the e‑filing portal.
- 3Prepare and sign the statutory declaration with a solicitor or commissioner for oaths.
- 4Pay the filing fee and obtain a receipt.
- 5Submit the form and all attachments to the High Court Registry.
- 6Obtain the court’s acknowledgement of receipt.
- 7Await the court hearing date for the bankruptcy order.
Known limitations
- 1Form is only for personal bankruptcy, not corporate insolvency.
- 2Only accepts Irish‑resident debtors.
- 3Electronic filing may not be available for all districts.
- 4The form does not include a built‑in checklist; users must add their own.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form No.13 is the current version used by the Courts Service as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced for 2025.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form header for the 2024 revision date.
- Confirm the filing fee amount on the Courts Service fee schedule.
- Verify that the statutory declaration wording matches the latest template.
- Ensure any attached schedules use the current numbering format.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 28/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service cataloguenot confirmed in official source
- SRCPurpose (debtor‑initiated bankruptcy) inferred from form namenot confirmed in official source
- SRCFiling location (High Court Registry) based on typical practice for bankruptcy petitionsnot confirmed in official source
- SRCFee requirement inferred from standard court filing proceduresnot confirmed in official source
- SRCStatutory declaration requirement typical for bankruptcy petitionsnot confirmed in official source
- SRCElectronic filing availability assumed from Courts Service e‑filing servicenot confirmed in official source
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form No.13 (debtor petition) with Form No.12 (creditor petition).
Leaving out small debts that still need to be listed.
Using an outdated version of the form.
Not having a qualified witness for the statutory declaration.
Assuming the filing fee is optional.
Submitting the form to the wrong court office.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.