How to Search Bankruptcy Records

Conducting your own bankruptcy search is an easy process on the Internet.

Filing for bankruptcy allows debtors who cannot meet financial obligations to meet with creditors through an intermediary known as a bankruptcy trustee. The case is filed in federal bankruptcy court. After a set period of time, usually a number of months, the debtor is released from liability and is considered to be discharged from the bankruptcy, also referred to as the "fresh start". Certain debts, such as child support or student loans, are exempt from the discharge. Bankruptcy records are public information in the United States; bankruptcy searches are inexpensive and provide detailed information regarding an individual or company that has filed for bankruptcy. The Federal Court has jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases; the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 allow citizens electronic access to government public records.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Credit card

Instructions

1. 

   Bankruptcy is regulated by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure

   Conduct your bankruptcy searches through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) online service. Registering is an easy process to access records from federal bankruptcy courts. Sign up with your name and contact information. Registration is free. The Judicial Conference of the United States has mandated a fee of 8 cents per page for access to information in PACER. Accounts are billed quarterly and are payable by credit card or check. This fee is current as of January 2011. You will be provided with a user name and password for your account.

2. 

   Bankruptcy searches are inexpensive and available to the public.

   Search the PACER Case Locator using the person's first and last name or the party name of a company or corporation. Searches can also be conducted using a social security number, or a tax identification number. You can also search using a case number. You can also search commercial bankruptcy using the company name.

3. 

   Thanks to the Internet, it is no longer necessary to visit government offices to conduct records searches.

   Download the copy of your results and print them using the provided instructions. PACER recommends using the browsers Internet Explorer or Firefox. Prior to download, the site will provide the cost of your documents and you can determine whether to continue. You can save your results as a document or print them.

Tips & Warnings

• PACER provides an online manual with detailed instructions on searching, downloading, billing and printing.

• When you are not sure how to spell a name, you can use wild cards such as

• an asterisk (*) to replace an unknown letter. You can also use an underscore to replace a letter.

• If you require a bankruptcy search in a foreign country, or do not feel capable of performing your own searches, you can hire a company that specializes in background and reference checks. Search for "private investigator companies" or "background check companies."

• Background search companies conduct bankruptcy searches, however they charge fees that are often quadruple what you will pay conducting your own search. Turn around time will be longer when using a third party.

References

• Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
• Wisconsin State Law Library: Public Records- Background Checks
• United States Courts: Bankruptcy
• United States Court: Bankruptcy Basics

Resources

• Public Records Guide: Conduct a Bankruptcy Public Records Search
• PACER Manual