Gathering the right documents is the first practical step towards applying for debt review in South Africa. Having everything ready upfront means your debt counsellor can assess your situation quickly and begin protecting you from creditors sooner. Here is everything you need.
Complete Document Checklist
The following documents are needed to apply for debt review. Your debt counsellor will guide you through each one, but having them ready in advance speeds up the process significantly.
You need a valid South African ID book, smart ID card, or valid passport. This is required to verify your identity and confirm your South African citizenship or permanent residency. A clear photograph or scan of both sides of your smart ID card is sufficient for the initial application.
Your latest payslip, not older than 4 months. This confirms your gross and net income, deductions, and employer details. If you are self-employed, provide financial statements, bank statements showing income deposits, or tax returns (IT34 or ITR12). If you earn commission, provide 3 months of payslips so your debt counsellor can calculate your average income.
3 consecutive months of bank statements for ALL your bank accounts — current accounts, savings accounts, and any other accounts you hold. Your debt counsellor uses these to verify your income, identify all debit orders going off your account, and understand your monthly spending patterns. Download them directly from your banking app as PDFs.
A complete list of every credit agreement you have. This includes credit cards, personal loans, vehicle finance, home loans, store accounts, clothing accounts, cellphone contracts with handset financing, and overdraft facilities. For each, include the account number, outstanding balance, monthly instalment amount, and interest rate if known. Your bank statements will help you identify most of these through debit orders.
A utility bill (electricity or water), municipal rates account, or bank statement showing your residential address. The document must not be older than 3 months. This confirms where you live and is required for the court application. If you rent, a copy of your lease agreement also works.
If you are married, provide your marriage certificate. This is especially important for marriages in community of property (COP), because both spouses must apply for debt review together when married COP. If you signed an antenuptial contract (ANC), bring that document as well — it determines whether your estates are separate or joint.
A detailed breakdown of your monthly living expenses, including rent or bond repayment, water and electricity, groceries and household supplies, transport and fuel costs, medical aid or medical expenses, school fees and education costs, insurance premiums, and any other regular expenses. Your debt counsellor needs this to calculate how much you can afford to pay towards your debts each month.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need: a divorce order (if divorced), a maintenance order (if you pay or receive maintenance), any existing court orders or judgments against you, insurance policies (life, funeral, household), and your employment contract. These documents help your debt counsellor build a complete picture of your financial situation and obligations.
Form 16 — The Official Application
Once you have submitted your documents, your debt counsellor will complete a Form 16 — the official debt review application form prescribed by the National Credit Act. This is the formal notification that you have applied for debt review.
The Form 16 collects your personal details, employment information, a full list of your creditors and outstanding balances, your income and expenses, and your consent to undergo debt review. You do not need to fill this form out yourself — your debt counsellor guides you through every section and completes it on your behalf using the documents you have provided.
Within 5 business days of issuing the Form 16, your debt counsellor sends a Form 17.1 (certificate of balance) to all your creditors and the credit bureaus. This formally notifies them that you are under debt review, and from this point forward, you have legal protection — creditors must pause any legal action against you.
Digital vs Physical Documents
Most debt counsellors — including DS4U — accept digital documents for the initial application. This means you can submit everything via WhatsApp, email, or an online portal. Photographs of your ID, screenshots of your payslip, and PDFs of your bank statements downloaded from your banking app are all acceptable.
However, original or certified copies may be required later in the process, specifically for the court application (consent order). Your debt counsellor will let you know if and when originals are needed — this typically only applies to your ID document and marriage certificate. It does not delay the start of your debt review.
How to Gather Everything Quickly
You do not need to spend days collecting documents. Follow these 7 practical steps and you can have everything ready in under an hour:
Take a clear photograph of the front and back of your smart ID card (or the photo page of your ID book or passport).
Screenshot or photograph your latest payslip. If you receive it digitally, forward the PDF or email.
Log into your banking app and download 3 months of statements for every account you hold. Save them as PDFs.
Review your bank statements and write down every debit order — these are your credit agreements. Note the creditor name, account number, and monthly amount for each.
Find a recent utility bill, municipal account, or use your bank statement as proof of residence.
Write down your monthly living expenses — rent, electricity, water, groceries, transport, medical, school fees, and insurance.
Locate your marriage certificate and antenuptial contract if you are married. Check your filing cabinet, or request a copy from the Department of Home Affairs if needed.
Do not let document gathering delay you. Most debt counsellors — including DS4U — accept documents via WhatsApp. You can photograph your ID, screenshot your payslip, and forward bank statements from your banking app. The whole process can take as little as 30 minutes.
Pro tip: Download your bank statements from your banking app first. They reveal most of your creditors through debit orders, making it easy to compile your list of credit agreements. Go through each statement line by line and highlight every recurring debit order — that is your debt list.
Related Articles
Now that you know what documents to gather, learn more about the process itself:
- What Is Debt Review and How Does It Work? — understand the full process before you apply
- The Debt Review Process Step by Step — a detailed walkthrough from application to clearance certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for debt review if I do not have all the documents?
Yes. You can start the process while gathering remaining documents. Your debt counsellor will tell you exactly what is outstanding and help you obtain it. Most people begin with just their ID and latest payslip and submit the rest within a few days.
Do I need original documents or are copies accepted?
For the initial application, clear digital copies are accepted — photographs, screenshots, and PDFs are all fine. Your debt counsellor may request certified copies of your ID and marriage certificate later for the court application, but this does not delay the start of your debt review.
How far back do my bank statements need to go?
You need 3 consecutive months of bank statements for all your bank accounts. These help your debt counsellor verify your income, identify debit orders, and understand your spending patterns. You can download them directly from your banking app.
What if I am self-employed — what proof of income do I provide?
Self-employed applicants can provide financial statements, 3 to 6 months of bank statements showing income deposits, tax returns (IT34 or ITR12), or a letter from your accountant confirming your average monthly income. Your debt counsellor will advise which combination works best for your situation.
Can I send my documents via WhatsApp?
Yes. Most debt counsellors — including DS4U — accept documents via WhatsApp. You can photograph your ID, screenshot your payslip, and forward bank statements directly from your banking app. This is the fastest way to get your application started.
