Which document must be provided if a bankruptcy was discharged in the last 5 years?

The requirement to provide a discharge letter when a bankruptcy has been discharged within the last five years is crucial for verifying the status of the bankruptcy. The discharge letter serves as official documentation from the court indicating that the bankruptcy case has been resolved and that the debtor is no longer responsible for the debts listed in the filing. This document provides lenders with the necessary assurance that the bankruptcy is not still pending and that any related obligations have been legally eliminated, reflecting the individual's ability to move forward financially.

In contrast, while documents like a debt payoff letter or income tax returns may provide other relevant financial information, they do not specifically confirm the discharge status of a bankruptcy. A credit report may include the bankruptcy filing, but it does not serve as the legal documentation that explicitly states the bankruptcy has been discharged. Thus, the discharge letter is the most critical document to provide to demonstrate that the bankruptcy has been resolved and to support the credit evaluation process.