How to Obtain Bankruptcy Case Information

Bankruptcy Case Information by Phone

Bankruptcy 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 parties
  • Case filing date
  • Case chapter
  • Debtor's attorney's name and phone number
  • Trustee's name
  • Assigned Judge's name
  • Discharge and closing dates
  • 341(a) meeting date, time, and location
  • Case status
  • Whether the case has assets
  • Case disposition

WHAT YOU NEED: A touch-tone telephone is the only equipment you need to access VCIS. See #1 below for instructions on using MCVCIS. 

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(link is external).  
  
Case Information in Person
Most bankruptcy records can be viewed at no charge using the public access terminals at the Bankruptcy Court.  For cases closed prior to XXX, please call the Clerk's Office (401) 626-3110 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/(link is external).  

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 at the Bankruptcy Court Clerk's 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 in person or by mail. 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 the Bankruptcy Clerk's  office.  Docket numbers are located on the official court docket and can be obtained from a public access terminal in the Bankruptcy Clerk's office or through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).  To sign up for a PACER account, register at http://www.pacer.gov(link is external).  

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 from debtors 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 Waltham, Massachusetts. To determine if a case has been archived, contact the Clerk's Office. For information, visit the NARA website(link is external).

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.

SmartScan is an alternative to viewing records at a Federal Records Center (FRC) or having records shipped from an FRC to a court, a new service offered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is known as “SmartScan,” and allows members of the public to request same day electronic delivery of a limited number of scanned pages of judiciary documents. SmartScan eliminates shipping costs and is ideal for small or urgent requests.
After ordering your records, the Court will contact the records center who will fill the order. The court will contact you with the total fee due and after payment, your records will be delivered to you via email, usually same day. 　
SmartScan Fee:　
$10.00 Judiciary Administrative Fee　
+ $ 9.90 FRC pull and refile fee　
+ $ 0.65 per page fee