Documents in cases filed prior to 1998 can be obtained with assistance by the Court, or directly from NARA. 

Option #1 - Bankruptcy Court Assistance.

There are two ways the Court can assist you in obtaining copies of your case:

1. Obtain copies from the Court via SmartScan:

SmartScan is a NARA service in which the specific paper documents are located, pulled and scanned into a PDF format then transmitted to the court via email. Upon payment of the applicable fees, the court will then email the requesting party the documents. This option is best if you need your documents fast.

There is a limit of 100 pages to utilize SmartScan. Requests over 100 pages will require the records to be shipped to the Court. The court will contact you with the total fee due and after payment, your records will be delivered to you via email.

Fees for the folowing can be foung at this link:

• Electronic Record Retrieval (SmartScan)
• FRC Electronic Retrieval Flat Fee 
• ERC Electronic Retrieval Rate (per Page) 

2. Have your case shipped to the Court:

1. Contact the Court and request that the Court order the file from the Federal Records Center.

2. The Clerk’s office will contact the Federal Records Center and, if the case has not already been disposed of, they will contact you regarding the fee. 

3. Once the fee is paid, the Clerk’s office will request the file back from NARA.

4. The Clerk’s office will notify you when the files arrive at the Court. You will have 30 days to come into the Clerk’s office to review the materials after which they will be returned to NARA. The 30-day period may be extended upon written request for an additional 30 days. If the requested materials are not viewed within the 30-day period or any extension thereof, they will be returned. Any further request for the files will require a new fee to be paid.

FEES ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING DOCUMENTS FROM THE COURT

These fees are, but are not limited to those contained on this page:

• Case retrieval fee from the FRC;
• Fee certification of document;
• Fee for reproduction of audio recording of a court proceeding;
• Copy fee per page.

Option #2 – Obtaining Copies From NARA:  

1. Contact the Court and request the following case record information you will need to order your case or documents from NARA:

a. Transfer Number
b. Location Number, and
c. Box Number

2. To request the documents from NARA:

Once you have the information above, you may order copies of documents online at NARA, click on Order Reproductions>Court Records>Bankruptcy Cases  or by completing the National Archives and Records Administration Bankruptcy Cases Order Form (NATF Form 90) and send it to NARA by mail or fax to the address below.

Federal Records Center
Research Room
380 Trapelo Road
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone Toll Free: 781-663-0378
Fax: 781-663-0154

FEES ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING DOCUMENTS FROM THE NARA

There are varying fees associated with this depending on the option package chosen, however, this option is almost always less expensive than having the Clerk's office retrieve your file for you.