total bankruptcy filings
591,850Reported for the 12 months ending March 31, 2026, up 11.9% from the comparable prior-year period.Source: U.S. CourtsU.S. Bankruptcy Data
U.S. bankruptcy statistics: 2026 update
Six current figures from the federal courts, gathered in one place for readers who need a reliable view of recent filing activity.
Updated September 21, 2026. Figures below cover the 12 months ending March 31, 2026, unless noted otherwise.
Key figures
Recent bankruptcy filing activity in the United States
These figures are reported by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Each entry links directly to the source used for the number.
nonbusiness filings
565,890The federal courts reported this total for cases filed primarily by individuals with consumer debt, up 11.9% year over year.Source: U.S. Courtsbusiness filings
25,960Business filings increased 11.4% from the comparable 12-month period ending March 31, 2025.Source: U.S. CourtsChapter 7 filings
369,702Chapter 7 was the largest filing category reported for the 12 months ending March 31, 2026.Source: U.S. CourtsChapter 13 filings
211,700The federal courts reported 211,700 Chapter 13 cases during the same 12-month period.Source: U.S. Courtsfilings at the June 2022 low
380,634The courts identify this as the recent low before filings began rising each quarter, while noting totals remain below historic highs.Source: U.S. CourtsHow to read the figures
These are filing counts, not a prediction about any one person’s options.
Federal court totals are reported on a rolling 12-month basis four times a year. That timing matters: the newest total is a 12-month snapshot through March 31, 2026, not a calendar-year count.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two largest filing categories in the latest report. A filing total can show broad activity, but it cannot tell someone which path fits their circumstances. Bankruptcy rules, timing, income, property, household details, and local practice can all matter.
Compare debt relief pathsMethodology and sources
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page come from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts’ April 23, 2026 report, “Bankruptcies Increase 11.9 Percent.” The report compares rolling 12-month filing periods ending March 31 and includes totals by filing type and chapter.
For the June 2022 low, the same report provides the historical context. This page uses the court’s language and totals without estimating missing figures or combining unrelated data sets.
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, April 23, 2026Cite this page
Bankruptcy Pilot. “U.S. Bankruptcy Statistics: 2026 Update.” Updated September 21, 2026. https://bankruptcypilot.com/bankruptcy-statistics
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