Yes. Access to electronic court records using the Internet or direct dial-up modem is available by registering with PACER. To obtain a password, contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676-6856 or access the PACER website.

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) has a national index search tool called the U.S. Party/Case Index. With a valid PACER account, a search of the entire country for a specific debtor may be conducted. The search results will provide the party name, case number, the jurisdiction in which the case was filed, and a link the case docket.

The Bankruptcy Court has no jurisdiction over credit reporting agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act is the law that controls credit-reporting agencies. The law states that credit reporting agencies may not report a bankruptcy case on a person's credit report beyond ten years of the bankruptcy case filing date. The Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection can provide information on how to reestablish credit and address credit problems. Contacting credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and Transunion directly may also provide the necessary information to reestablish credit. Federal Trade Commission contact information is: Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Education Division, Washington, D.C. 20580; telephone (202) 326-2222.

Photo copies and certified copies may be obtained in the Clerk’s Office. A copy request specifying the document(s) requested and the number of copies requested must be submitted to the clerk’s office with the exact amount due. Please see the Court Info section of the court’s website for a list of fees.

Filers may independently select hearing dates for cases assigned to some judges, and for other judges, the hearing date must be provided by the court. To obtain hearing date guidelines, reference the Judges' Info section of the court’s website.

A bankruptcy case filing may remain on a debtor’s credit report for a maximum of ten years under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

If the court confirms a repayment plan, the chapter 13 trustee will distribute any such payments in accordance with the plan as soon as practicable.

A Notice of Change of Address must be submitted to the court to change the address on a Proof of Claim.

If the trustee files a Trustee's Notice of Assets & Request for Notice to Creditors in a chapter 7 no asset case, creditors will be sent a notice of the deadline (bar date) by which a claim is due. In a Chapter 7 "asset" case, the deadline (bar date) for creditors who have claims against the debtor is stated in the Notice of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Meeting of Creditors and Deadlines.

In Chapter 9 and 11 cases, creditors will receive a specific notice of the deadline (bar date) by which a claim is due.

In a Chapter 13 case, the deadline (bar date) for creditors who have claims against the debtor is detailed in the Notice of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Meeting of Creditors and Deadlines.

In a Chapter 12 case, the deadline (bar date) for creditors who have claims against the debtor is noted on the Notice of Meeting of Creditors.

Remittances for fees should be made payable to, "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court."

The Meeting of Creditors, also known as the 341 Meeting, is usually conducted 20 to 40 days after case filing. Debtors must attend. If the case involves spouses filing jointly, both spouses must appear. In chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases, the trustee assigned to the case conducts the meeting. In chapter 11 cases, a representative of the United States Trustee's Office conducts the meeting.

The 341 Meeting permits the trustee or the representative of the U.S. Trustee to review the debtor's petition and schedules with the debtor. The debtor is required to answer questions under penalty of perjury (swearing or affirming to tell the truth) about the debtor's conduct, property, liabilities, financial condition, and any other matter that may affect the administration of the case, or the debtor's right to discharge. In addition, the trustee or U.S. Trustee's representative will ask questions to ensure that the debtor understands the bankruptcy process.

The 341 Meeting is referred to as a meeting of creditors because creditors are notified that they may attend, and ask the debtor questions pertaining to assets or any other matter pertinent to the administration of the case. It is sometimes referred to as a 341 Meeting because it is mandated by Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code. Creditors are not required to attend these meetings, and do not waive any rights if they do not attend. The meeting usually lasts ten to fifteen minutes, and may be continued if the trustee or U.S. Trustee's representative is not satisfied with the information presented.

If the debtor fails to appear and provide the information requested, the trustee or U.S. Trustee's representative may request that the case be dismissed, or may seek other relief against the debtor for failure to cooperate.

A pro se debtor is one who files bankruptcy without an attorney. A pro se debtor is responsible for all proceedings in his or her case. Failure to comply with the Bankruptcy Code and Rules or with court orders may result in dismissal of the case. It is recommended that debtors seek legal advice from a licensed attorney before filing bankruptcy.

Credit Counseling

Credit counseling is a course that is taken by chapter 7 and chapter 13 debtors before the bankruptcy case is filed. The course must be provided by an agency that is approved by the U.S. Trustee’s Office. The purpose of the course is to determine if there is an alternate way to handle debt outside of bankruptcy. Upon course completion, debtors will receive a certificate that should be presented with the bankruptcy petition.

Personal Financial Management

A personal financial management course is a course required for chapter 7 and 13 individual debtors that is taken after bankruptcy filing. The course must be taken through an agency authorized by the United States Trustee. An individual in a chapter 11 case may be required to complete the personal financial management course if applicable by law. After course completion, the course provider may file the Personal Financial Management Course Certificate on behalf of the debtor. If the course provider does not file the certificate for the debtor, the debtor must file Official Form B423 Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Post-petition Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management. Failure to timely file proof of course completion may result in the case being closed without the issuance of a discharge.

Please visit the Office of the U.S. Trustee section of the court’s website and access the U.S. Trustee Program link for the most recent information on approved credit counseling agencies and personal financial management instructional course providers. For additional information regarding credit counseling and personal financial management requirements, reference Code and Rules located on the Rules and Procedures section of the court’s website.

The Office of the U. S. Trustee is an agency of the Department of Justice, with responsibilities that include monitoring the administration of bankruptcy cases and detecting bankruptcy fraud. It is also responsible for appointing and supervising interim trustees to administer chapter 7 cases, overseeing the Debtor-in-Possession in chapter 11 cases, and appointing a standing trustee in chapter 13 cases.

Services of petition preparers are limited to the typing of forms. Petition Preparers are not authorized to practice law, therefore, they cannot provide debtors with legal advice. Petition preparers are also not authorized to file documents on behalf of debtors, or collect fees greater than what is allowable by law. For additional information regarding authorized petition preparer services and fees, visit the Filing without an Attorney section of the court’s website.

The Notice of the Section §341 Meeting of Creditors includes a date by which all complaints objecting to the debtor’s discharge or dischargeability of debts must be filed. If the debtor has complied with all filing requirements, paid the full filing fee, completed an instructional course concerning personal financial management, and filed the proper certification of course completion, his or her discharge should be entered in due course after the expiration of the objection to discharge deadline.

To expedite the handling of complaints of criminal violations in the bankruptcy system, the United States Trustee requires the submission of complaints in the form of a signed letter, bearing the return address and telephone number of the person filing the complaint.

The complaint will be reviewed promptly upon receipt. If the information furnished establishes a reasonable belief that a criminal violation has occurred, the matter will be referred to the United States Attorney. If the United States Attorney deems the matter to hold prosecutorial merit, it will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation. A clearly written statement containing copies of any available documentation will expedite the process. For additional guidelines on suspected bankruptcy fraud reporting, see the U.S. Trustee section of the court’s website.

The following information should be submitted with the complaint:

1. The name and address of the person or business against whom the complaint is filed.
2. The name on the bankruptcy case, the case number, and the filing location. 
3. Any identifying information regarding the individual or the business.
4. A brief description of the alleged fraud, including how the party filing the complaint became aware of the fraud, and when the fraud occurred. Include all supporting documentation. 
5. A description of the type of asset that was concealed and its estimated dollar value, or the amount of any unreported income, undervalued asset, or other omitted asset or claim.
6. The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person filing the complaint. The party submitting the complaint is not required to identify himself/herself, though it is often helpful to do so if questions should arise.

Letters may be submitted via e-mail to USTP.Bankruptcy.Fraud@usdoj.gov.

Letters may also be submitted via U.S. Mail to one of the following addresses:

Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
Office of Criminal Enforcement
441 G Street, NW Suite 6150
Washington, DC 20530
Tel: (510) 637-3200 Fax: (510) 637-3220

Office of the United States Trustee
844 King Street, Suite 2207
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: (302) 573-6491 Fax: (302) 573-6497

Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
Criminal Enforcement
Unit 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 8000
Washington, DC 20530

The policies of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts do not allow the Clerk's Office to provide change. Bankruptcy filers may submit payments in the form of cash, money order, or cashier’s check for the exact amount due. Cash should not be sent to the court via U.S. Mail.