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How to Obtain Case Information

Case Information by Phone
Case information is available toll free through the court's automated Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at (866) 222-8029.  This system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A case number, complete name, or a social security number/ITIN is required to obtain case information. The information available from the automated system is:

  • Case number;
  • Name(s) of debtor(s), or principal party(ies);
  • Date the case was filed, whether a voluntary or involuntary petition was filed, and the chapter under which the petition was filed;
  • Name and phone number of the debtor’s attorney;
  • Trustee's name;
  • Name of the assigned Judge;
  • Discharge and closing dates;
  • Whether there are assets in the case;
  • Case status; and
  • Case disposition.

Case Information Online
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) is a web-based system that allows users with an internet connection and a PACER account to view or print case documents online.  A fee is charged for each page viewed. To sign up for a PACER account, register at http://www.pacer.gov.  
  
Case Information in Person
Most bankruptcy records can be viewed at no charge using the public access terminals in each Bankruptcy Court divisional office.  For cases closed in the Los Angeles Division prior to February 1, 2001, please call the Court’s Call Center at (855) 460-9641 for assistance.

Paper Copies of Bankruptcy Documents
Paper copies of bankruptcy documents can be obtained in person, by mail, or by using Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).  To sign up for a PACER account, register at http://www.pacer.gov/.  

In order to obtain copies of bankruptcy documents, you must have a bankruptcy case number.  Bankruptcy case numbers can be obtained toll free through the Court's automated Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at (866) 222-8029 or from a public access terminal in any Bankruptcy Court divisional office.

Photocopy fees and Search of Court Record fees may apply.  Please refer to the Bankruptcy Court Fee Schedule for more information regarding photocopy fees, Search of Court Records fees, and the Court’s Check Acceptance Policy.

Certified Copies of Bankruptcy Documents
Certified copies of bankruptcy documents can be obtained via CM/ECF account, in person or by mail from the divisional office where the case was filed. In order to obtain a certified copy of a bankruptcy document, you must have a bankruptcy case number and the docket number of the document to be certified.

Bankruptcy case numbers can be obtained toll free through the Court's automated Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at (866) 222-8029 or from a public access terminal in any Bankruptcy Court divisional office.  Docket numbers are located on the official court docket and can be obtained from a public access terminal in any Bankruptcy Court divisional office or through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).  To sign up for a PACER account, register at http://www.pacer.gov.  

Photocopy fees and Search of Court Record fees may apply.  Please refer to the Bankruptcy Court Fee Schedule for more information regarding photocopy fees, Search of Court Records fees, and the Court’s Check Acceptance Policy.

All requests for certified bankruptcy documents sent by mail must include:

  • Bankruptcy or Adversary Proceeding case number
  • Debtor(s) name
  • Docket number of document(s) to be copied and certified
  • Daytime telephone number of the requesting party
  • A self-addressed, stamped return envelope of proper size and postage for the documents requested

Requesting parties will be contacted by phone once the Bankruptcy Court determines the total fees due. 

Note that the Bankruptcy Court only accepts bank cashier's checks or U.S. Postal Service money orders made payable to the United States Bankruptcy Court. DO NOT SEND CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS.

Archived Case Information
Cases closed for one year or more may be archived at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Perris, California. To determine if a case has been archived, contact the Clerk's Office in your division. For information, visit the NARA website.

To retrieve case information or copies of documents from NARA, the Transfer Number, Location Number, and Box Number must first be obtained from the Clerk's Office where the bankruptcy case was filed.  Archive information can be obtained in person, by phone, or by writing to the Records Department of the divisional office where the bankruptcy case was filed.

Once the archive information has been obtained, place records requests directly with NARA.  For more information download this form.