What forms must be filed?

The table below lists all the forms that must be filed to commence a Chapter 13 case.

Click here for more information on Required Lists, Schedules, Statements and Fees

Note: The Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office does not maintain hard copies of the official forms required for filing bankruptcy, but they may be downloaded from our website, www.njb.uscourts.gov. They may also be purchased from any office supply store. Please be sure to sign all documents where applicable. Proper signatures are required to process all paperwork. If a married couple files a joint case, both spouses must sign wherever a signature is required.

E:FILING GUIDANCE: Attorneys must enter "/s/Attorney's Name" on the line where your signature would normally appear. Click here for more guidance on this requirement.

FORMS

NOTES

Official Form B1 - Voluntary Petition

E:FILING GUIDANCE: Use the Case Upload module or use BK Case Opening - Voluntary.

During case opening, please enter the full nine digit Social Security number when asked to do so. CM/ECF will automatically block the first 5 digits.

This form is used to commence a voluntary case under Chapter 7, 11, 12, 13 or 15 of the Bankruptcy Code. Please note that only the last 4 digits of the debtor(s) Social Security number are entered on this form.

Exhibit B on page 2 of Voluntary Petition

If debtor is an individual with primarily consumer debt AND represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign Exhibit B section on page 2 of petition

Official Form B21 - Statement of Social Security Number (also referred to as Social Security Number Declaration)

This form is used to provide the court with the debtor's full 9 digit Social Security number OR to indicate that the debtor does not have a Social Security number. It is only required when filing hard copy documents. To comply with privacy guidelines, this form does not become part of the official court record. DO NOT E:FILE THIS FORM.

Credit Counseling Certificate

E:FILING GUIDANCE: E:file this separate from the petition using the Certificate of Credit Counseling event located in the Misc. Events category. Click here for docketing instructions.

The credit counseling agency may provide aDebtor Repayment Plan. This is NOT a required form, but if the debtor receives this form from the agency, it may be filed with the petition.

E:FILING GUIDANCE: Use the Debtor Repayment Plan event located in Misc. Events category. Click here for docketing instructions.

This is NOT a court form and cannot be obtained from the court. This certificate is issued by the credit counseling agency upon completion of the briefing.

There are limited exceptions to the credit counseling requirement. ** See Exhibit D below for more information.

Exhibit D - Individual Debtors Statement of Compliance with Credit Counseling Requirement

E:FILING GUIDANCE: E:file Exhibit D as part of the petition package during case opening.

This form is in addition to the Credit Counseling Certificate. If this is a joint debtor case, each debtor must file Exhibit D.

**For an extension of time to file a credit counseling certificate, see Box 3 of Exhibit D.

**If you are not required to receive credit counseling because you are on active military duty in a military combat zone or because of incapacity or disability as defined in 11 U.S.C. §109(h)(4), see Box 4 of Exhibit D.

Official Form 22C - Statement of Current Monthly Income and Calculation of Commitment Period and Disposable Income