How to Get a Copy of a Bankruptcy Filing
Bankruptcy is a legal process used when you are unable to pay your bills. Filing for bankruptcy may allow you to avoid repayment of debt. A bankruptcy filing is an important and lengthy document. As a debtor, you may need to get a copy of the court papers for legal purposes.
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Instructions
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Get contact information for the court where the case was filed and closed. You will need to know the city where the court is located. Contact information can often be found in sources such as the Yellow Pages. You may have a lawyer who will do this for you.
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Obtain the following information: the location number, the case file name and number, the transfer number and the agency box number. If you have a lawyer, he may have this information for you. If not, you should be able to contact the court directly and obtain it.
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Request the information. Initial requests may be made via email, mail or even faxed in. Such requests may have privacy laws. You may have to get the request document notarized or provide proof of identity such as a passport. Check with the court first before submitting any requests.
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Schedule an appointment. If you can pick up a copy of the report in person, you will need to schedule an appointment in advance. This can often be done by phone or even online. The appointment will allow you to gain access to the records. You will probably be asked to show proof of identification. Bring a driver's license, passport or state issued identification. You may also be provided with the option of allowing others to collect the documents for you. To do so, they will need identification papers of their own. They may also need a letter from you granting permission. Make sure you find out beforehand.
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Have all required forms filled out properly if mailing or faxing the request. You can obtain copies of the forms you will need from the US Courts website. Copies may also frequently be found in office supply stores and stores that sell legal stationary.
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Pay for the copies you need. The courts take personal checks, certified checks, money orders and credit cards. Fees charged may vary depending upon your needs. In general you will be charged five cents per page. You may also face additional charges for certified copies.
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