If you’re considering an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), or you’re already in one, you may have heard about the Insolvency Register and wondered what it is, what information it shows, and who can see it.
For many people, the idea of their financial situation appearing on a public register can feel worrying or uncomfortable. Understanding what the IVA Insolvency Register is, why it exists, and what it actually means in practice can help remove a lot of that anxiety.
This guide explains what the register is, what information appears on it, who can view it, and how it affects your credit record and privacy.
What Is the IVA Insolvency Register?
The IVA Insolvency Register (more formally known as the Individual Insolvency Register) is a public database that lists people who are currently in certain formal insolvency solutions.
This includes people who are in:
- An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
- Bankruptcy
- A Debt Relief Order (DRO)
If you enter an IVA, your details are added to this register and remain there while your IVA is active.
The register is managed by the Insolvency Service and is designed to provide transparency and allow creditors, lenders, and other interested parties to check whether someone is in a formal insolvency process.
Who Can View the Insolvency Register?
The Insolvency Register is open to the public. This means that, in theory, anyone can search it.
However, in practice:
- Most people will never check it
- It is not something that appears in Google search results in a simple name search
- Someone would need to actively go looking for it and search your details specifically
The people most likely to check the register are:
- Banks and lenders
- Letting agents or financial institutions
- Insolvency professionals
- Creditors
Friends, family, neighbours, or employers are very unlikely to ever come across it unless they deliberately search for it.
What Details Appear on the Register?
If you have an IVA, the register will usually show:
- Your full name
- Your date of birth (or age range)
- Your address or partial address
- The type of insolvency solution (for example, IVA)
- The start date of your IVA
- The name and contact details of your insolvency practitioner
It does not show:
- The full list of your debts
- How much you owe
- Your income
- Your bank details or employer
- Any detailed financial information
The register exists to confirm the status of the insolvency arrangement, not to publish the full details of your personal finances.
Why Is the IVA Register Open to the Public?
The register is public for a few key reasons.
Transparency
An IVA is a formal, legally binding insolvency process. The register allows creditors and organisations to check whether someone is in a legal arrangement that affects their ability to borrow or enter financial contracts.
Preventing Fraud
If someone is in an IVA, they are usually restricted from taking out significant new credit without permission. The register helps lenders check whether someone is legally allowed to take on new borrowing.
Protecting Creditors and the Public
The register helps ensure that insolvency processes are properly recorded and visible, so that financial decisions can be made fairly and with the right information.
Will Details of My Individual Voluntary Arrangement Impact My Credit Score?
Yes, but not because of the register itself.
Your IVA affects your credit score because:
- It is recorded on your credit file
- It shows that you entered a formal insolvency solution
- It stays on your credit file for six years from the start date
The Insolvency Register and your credit file are separate systems, but both reflect the fact that you are in an IVA.
During this time:
- Getting credit will be difficult
- Any credit you do get is likely to be expensive
- You will usually need permission to borrow more than a small amount
However, this impact reduces over time, especially if you:
- Pay all ongoing bills on time
- Stick to your IVA
- Avoid further financial problems
Once six years have passed from the start of your IVA, it should drop off your credit file automatically.
How Long Do Your Details Stay on the Insolvency Register?
Your details remain on the Insolvency Register:
- While your IVA is active
- And for a short period after it is completed or terminated
Once your IVA is successfully completed and officially closed, your details are removed from the register.
This does not happen instantly, but it usually happens within a few months of completion.
Asking the Insolvency Service to Remove Details from the Register
In most cases, you cannot ask for your details to be removed early while your IVA is still active.
The register is a legal requirement and must show accurate, up-to-date information about active insolvency arrangements.
However, you can ask for details to be corrected or removed if:
- Your IVA has finished and your details are still showing
- There is an error in your information
- Your IVA was set up incorrectly or cancelled
If your IVA has been completed and your details are still visible after a reasonable period, you can contact:
- Your insolvency practitioner, or
- The Insolvency Service
You may need to provide your completion certificate as proof.
Will My Employer or Landlord Find Out?
In most cases, no.
Your employer:
- Is not automatically informed
- Would only find out if they actively searched the register or you told them
Your landlord or letting agent:
- Might discover the IVA through a credit check
- But is unlikely to be checking the Insolvency Register directly
For most people, the register has very little impact on day-to-day life.
Does Being on the Register Mean My Details Are Publicly Advertised?
No.
Your details:
- Are not published in newspapers
- Are not sent to people in your area
- Do not appear in Google searches in any obvious way
The register is a technical, administrative tool, not a public announcement.
What If I’m Worried About Privacy?
It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable about the idea of being on a public register.
It’s worth remembering:
- The information shown is limited
- Very few people ever search the register
- The purpose is legal and administrative, not personal or social
For most people, the relief of getting out of debt and stopping creditor pressure far outweighs the concern about the register.
What should I do now?
If you’re struggling with debt and considering an IVA, it’s important to get clear, honest advice before making any decisions. My Debt Plan offers impartial guidance to help you understand your options and choose the right path for your situation.
You can get debt help online or speak to our friendly team for a confidential, no-obligation conversation. Call us today on 0161 464 0870 and start taking back control of your finances.
