If you have applied for debt counselling, your debt review status is recorded on the National Debt Help System (DHS) and reflected on your credit profile.

Many consumers do not understand what their debt review status means — or how it affects their ability to apply for credit, finance, or a home loan.

In this guide, we explain:

• What a debt review status is
• The different debt review status codes
• When you can remove your debt review status
• When removal is no longer possible
• How to check your debt review status

Understanding your debt review status is critical if you want to regain financial flexibility.

What Is a Debt Review Status?

When you apply for debt review, your case is assigned a status code.

Your debt review status shows:

• Whether you are still under review
• Whether a court order has been granted
• Whether you have completed the process
• Whether you are legally cleared

Each stage of the process is reflected through a specific code.

Your debt review status directly impacts whether you can access new credit.

🔎 Pre–Court & Application Debt Review Status Codes

These debt review status codes apply before a court order is granted.

These are the most important stages if you are considering removal.

If your debt review status is:

• A, A1, A2, B, D1, D2, or D3

You may still qualify to remove your debt review status — depending on your circumstances.

Why This Stage Matters

If your debt review status has not yet reached D4, you may still have options available.
However, once it progresses further, removal is no longer possible.
Timing is critical.

⚖ Court Order Debt Review Status (D4)

Once your debt review status reaches D4, the situation changes.

D4 debt review status means:

• A court order has been granted.
• You are legally under debt review.
• You cannot exit voluntarily.
• You must complete the repayment plan.

If your debt review status reflects D4, removal is no longer an option.

You must complete the process and receive a clearance certificate.

This is often referred to as the “point of no return.”

✅ Completion & Clearance Debt Review Status Codes

The only way your debt review status is fully resolved is when it reflects a legal clearance code.

These are the only debt review status codes that confirm legal resolution:

• F1 – Clearance Certificate Issued
• F2 – Short-term debt settled
• G / G1 – Court declaration not over-indebted

If your debt review status reflects one of these, you are legally cleared and may apply for credit again (subject to normal affordability checks).

Common Misunderstandings About Debt Review Status

“I stopped paying, so my debt review status is removed.”

Incorrect.
Stopping payment does not remove your debt review status. It only removes your legal protection.
Your credit profile may still show that you are under debt review.

“I withdrew from debt review.”

Once you signed Form 16 and formally entered the process, your debt review status is recorded.
It will only be removed if:

• You are declared not over-indebted (A1),
• You receive a clearance certificate (F1/F2), or
• A court declares you not over-indebted (G/G1).

“I paid everything off yesterday — why am I still declined?”

Your debt review status does not update instantly.

The process must move through:

• Your debt counsellor
• The DHS system
• Credit bureaus
• Credit providers

Administrative processing takes time.

When Can You Remove Your Debt Review Status?

You may qualify to remove your debt review status if:

• Your case has not yet reached D4
• You were incorrectly flagged
• You were declared not over-indebted
• Legal grounds exist for rescission

Once your debt review status is D4, you must complete the repayment plan.

How to Check Your Debt Review Status

If you are unsure of your current debt review status, you should have it verified professionally.

Apply for a Free Debt Review Removal Assessment and provide your ID number.

Our legal team will:

• Check your official debt review status on the DHS
• Confirm whether a court order exists
• Determine if removal is possible
• Advise you on the correct next step

Understanding your debt review status is the first step toward financial rehabilitation.