Instructions for Retrieving Copies of Case Files & Case Documents& Archives Requests  

How to Request Copies of Case

 

You can obtain copies of case documents through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. PACER is generally faster and cheaper than requesting copies directly from the court. For more information about the fees charged by PACER see:  https://pacer.uscourts.gov/pacer-pricing-how-fees-work

Alternatively, you can request paper copies of case documents from the court using this online form or by mailing your request to: Clerk of Court, United States Bankruptcy Court, 197 S. Main St. Wilkes-Barre PA 18702.

We will require the following information to process your request:

(1) Bankruptcy Case Number,

(2) Debtor’s Name,

(3) A specific indication of the document(s) you want copied and number of copies (preferably identifying the documents by the docket number(s)), and

(4) Your contact phone number and a mailing address where we should send the copies.

You will be responsible for paying a per page copy fee and postage charges (see information on Fees below). All fees and charges must be paid in full before any services will be performed.

 

How to Obtain Certified Copies of Documents or an Exemplification Certificate

 

To obtain certified copies or an exemplification certificate, follow the instructions above for How to Request Copies of Case Documents and check the appropriate box on the form. In addition to the per page copy charge, there is an extra fee for certification or exemplification (see information on Fees below).  All fees and charges must be paid in full before any services will be performed.

Fees for Copies, Searches, Retrieval of Archived Files, Certification, or Exemplification

 

There are fees associated with a request for copies of case documents, record searches, retrieval of archived files, certification, or exemplification. Click here for the current fees.  You will also be responsible for any postage costs. The Court will inform you of the applicable fees and/or postage charges. All fees and charges must be paid in full before any services will be performed.

Fees should be paid online here.

The Clerk’s Office does not accept cash, personal checks from debtors, or third-party checks. A party requesting the document(s) can pay fees on-line using a debit card or can submit a cashier's check or money order made payable to the "Clerk, United States Court".

How to Request Copies of Older Closed Case Documents

 

The National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) stores the court's closed case files. To request copies of court records stored at the archives center, you will first need to obtain Federal Records Center (FRC) information from the bankruptcy court. NARA will not be able to locate the requested case files without the following information: transfer (accession) number, location number, box number, case name and case number. This information is available over the phone or by mailing [EMAIL OR FORM??] your request to the court. To expedite your request, be sure to provide the court with as much information as possible about the case, such as, debtor's name, case number, date filed, and social security number or tax identification number.

Your request can be sent directly to NARA or, for a fee, you can request that the Court retrieve the archived case file from NARA. Use this form from NARA’s website.

Follow the instructions provided by NARA so that NARA personnel can send you the requested copies. If you request the Court to retrieve the file, there is an archive retrieval fee required for the Court to request the archived case file from NARA, plus a per page charge for copies of the case file (see information on Fees above).  All fees and charges must be paid in full before any services will be performed.