The Insolvency Service maintains two facilities which provide information to the public, the Register of Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA) and the Bankruptcy Public Search Room (BPSR).

The Register of IVAs is available for members of the public and can be inspected in person or by written request for individual entry details. Telephone requests are not accepted. Enquirers are requested to provide full details of the individual for whom they would like to search. Enquirers will then be informed of the result of any search and, where a positive match is found, will be provided with a copy of the relevant register entry together with details of the Supervisor of the IVA (who must be a licensed insolvency practitioner), whom they may contact for further details. No charge is made for searches of the Register and the supply of relevant information.

The Bankruptcy Public Search Room maintains a record of bankruptcies from 1973 to the present. Details of bankruptcies dating from 1924-1973 are available on special request but are not available for public inspection and will not be searched routinely. Bankruptcy information is held on index cards filed in alphabetical order, which contain the name and address (at the date of the bankruptcy order) of individuals who have been made bankrupt in England and Wales. The date of discharge is NOT always shown. Searches can be made in person and also by post giving the name, postal address, occupation and date of birth (or approximate age) of the individual to be searched. Requests will normally be returned on the day of receipt, by post. Search requests by telephone cannot be accepted. No charge is made for this service.