How to file bankruptcy in District of Columbia
Courts, filing fees, the means test, and what property you can keep in District of Columbia, with figures updated automatically from official sources.
District of Columbia bankruptcy courts
District of Columbia has one bankruptcy court, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of District of Columbia.
Each court's website has its local rules, filing instructions for people without a lawyer, and the courthouse address.
Do you qualify for Chapter 7 in District of Columbia?
To file Chapter 7 you must pass the means test. It compares your household's average income over the last 6 months, multiplied by 12, with the median income for a household your size in District of Columbia. If you are at or below the median, you generally qualify.
| Household size | Median annual income |
|---|---|
| 1 person (1 earner) | $85,391 |
| 2 people | $161,397 |
| 3 people | $161,397 |
| 4 people | $166,598 |
| 5 people | $177,698 |
| 6 people | $188,798 |
| 7 people | $199,898 |
| 8 people | $210,998 |
For households larger than 4, add $11,100 for each additional person. Source: U.S. Trustee Program.
Use the District of Columbia means test calculator
If your income is above the median, you may still qualify after a second calculation that subtracts allowed expenses (Official Form 122A-2), or you can file Chapter 13 instead.
Filing fees
Bankruptcy filing fees are the same in every state: $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 (fees in effect since December 1, 2023). You can ask to pay in installments. In Chapter 7, you can ask the court to waive the fee if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty line.
What property can you keep in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia lets you choose between two sets of exemptions: District of Columbia's own exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions. You must pick one set; you cannot mix them. The state list can protect more or less than the federal list, especially for a home, so compare them before you decide.
| Property | Law | Amount per person |
|---|---|---|
| Home (homestead) | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(1) | $31,575 |
| Motor vehicle | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(2) | $5,025 |
| Household goods | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(3) | $800 per item, $16,850 total |
| Jewelry | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(4) | $2,125 |
| Wildcard (any property) | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(5) | $1,675 plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead |
| Tools of your trade | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(6) | $3,175 |
| Life insurance cash value | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(8) | $16,850 |
| Personal injury awards | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(11) | $31,575 |
| Retirement accounts | 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(12) | No limit, except IRAs ($1,711,975) |
In a joint case, each spouse may claim these amounts (11 U.S.C. § 522(m)). Amounts adjust every 3 years; the next adjustment is April 1, 2028.
We do not list District of Columbia's own exemptions yet. You can find them in District of Columbia's statutes or on your bankruptcy court's website.
Separately, federal law limits a state homestead exemption to $214,000 for a home bought within about 40 months (1,215 days) before filing (11 U.S.C. § 522(p)). If you moved to District of Columbia within the last 2 years, the exemptions of the state you lived in before may apply instead.
How to file in District of Columbia, step by step
- Take a credit counseling course from an approved agency within 180 days before you file.
- Gather your documents: pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, bills, and a list of everything you own and owe.
- Fill out the official forms. Our free filing tool fills in the official court forms with your answers.
- File with the bankruptcy court for your district in District of Columbia and pay the filing fee, or apply to pay in installments or have it waived.
- Attend the meeting of creditors (the "341 meeting"), usually 3 to 6 weeks after filing.
- Take a debtor education course and file the certificate. In Chapter 7, you usually receive your discharge a few months after filing.
Bankruptcy lawyers in District of Columbia
Filing on your own works best for simple cases. If you own a home, run a business, or have income above the median, a lawyer is usually worth it. Many offer a free consultation.
District of Columbia bankruptcy questions
What is the median income for the bankruptcy means test in District of Columbia?
For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026, the median annual income in District of Columbia is $85,391 for a single earner, $161,397 for 2 people, $161,397 for 3, and $166,598 for 4. Add $11,100 for each additional person.
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in District of Columbia?
The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. You can ask to pay in installments, and in Chapter 7 you can ask the court to waive the fee if your income is below 150% of the poverty line. You also need to take two short courses.
Which bankruptcy court do I file in, in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has one bankruptcy court, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of District of Columbia.
Can I use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia lets you choose either the federal bankruptcy exemptions or District of Columbia's own exemptions, but not a mix of both.
Can I file bankruptcy in District of Columbia without a lawyer?
Yes. Anyone can file their own case. Simple Chapter 7 cases are the best fit; consider a lawyer if you own a home with equity, run a business, or have income above the median.
General information, not legal advice. Figures last updated from official sources: means test July 15, 2026; federal exemptions April 1, 2025.
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