Bankruptcy is a federal legal process — all cases are filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, part of the federal district court system. There are 94 federal judicial districts, each with its own bankruptcy court. In 2024, more than 500,000 bankruptcy petitions were filed nationwide, with consumer bankruptcies (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13) making up the vast majority. Business reorganizations under Chapter 11 — which can involve billions of dollars in assets — are also publicly searchable. Because bankruptcy is a federal proceeding, all records are in PACER, the federal court's public access system. Searching PACER for a bankruptcy case is straightforward once you have a registered account. The PACER Case Locator allows nationwide name searches across all bankruptcy courts simultaneously. Free alternatives exist for historical cases and published opinions. This directory explains each chapter type, how to search, and what the records contain, updated March 2026.

How to Search Bankruptcy Filings

The most reliable method is PACER (pacer.uscourts.gov). After creating a free account, use the PACER Case Locator to search by debtor name, Social Security Number (last four digits), or business name across all 94 bankruptcy courts. Each case record shows the chapter filed, filing date, case number, trustee, status (open/closed/dismissed/discharged), and all filed documents.

Understanding Bankruptcy Chapters

The Bankruptcy Code offers different chapters for different financial situations. Chapter 7 is liquidation — most assets are sold to pay creditors, and remaining eligible debts are discharged. Chapter 11 allows businesses (and sometimes individuals) to reorganize while continuing operations. Chapter 12 is designed for family farmers and fishermen. Chapter 13 lets wage earners repay debts over 3–5 years under a court-approved plan.

How Long Bankruptcy Stays on Record

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years from the filing date under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Chapter 13 stays for 7 years. The bankruptcy court record itself is a permanent public record — it does not expire from PACER. However, once the credit reporting period passes, most lenders and employers can no longer see it on a consumer credit report. Dismissed cases still appear in the court record.

Business & Corporate Bankruptcy

Chapter 11 reorganization cases involving major corporations are public records and often extensively covered by financial media. The dockets contain disclosure statements, reorganization plans, creditor lists, and court orders — all downloadable through PACER. Notable recent Chapter 11 cases include retail chains, real estate companies, and crypto firms. Creditors in a business bankruptcy can file a proof of claim through the court's online portal.

Search by State

Select your state to find state-specific public records resources.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

What information shows up in a bankruptcy court record?

A PACER bankruptcy docket shows the debtor's name and address, case number, chapter filed, filing date, case status, assigned trustee, list of creditors (Schedule D, E/F), all assets and liabilities (Schedules A–C), income and expenses (Schedules I–J), all motions and court orders, and the final discharge order. Financial statements and tax returns are also filed in most cases.

Can I search bankruptcy records without paying PACER fees?

For recent cases, PACER is the most complete source at $0.10/page. However, if your quarterly charges total less than $30, fees are waived. CourtListener provides free access to published bankruptcy opinions. For historical business bankruptcies, BankruptcyData.com and news archives are useful free alternatives.

Does a Chapter 13 discharge the same debts as Chapter 7?

No. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) but cannot discharge student loans, most taxes, alimony, child support, or debts from fraud. Chapter 13 also cannot discharge those same priority debts, but allows a debtor to catch up on mortgage arrears, pay priority taxes over time, and sometimes reduce what is owed on certain secured debts.

How do I find out if a business I am dealing with has filed for bankruptcy?

Search PACER by business name using the Case Locator. Also check SEC EDGAR for publicly traded companies, which must file Form 8-K disclosing a bankruptcy filing within 4 business days. BankruptcyData.com tracks significant commercial filings. News searches on the company name plus 'bankruptcy' or 'Chapter 11' are also effective.

What is an automatic stay in bankruptcy?

The automatic stay is one of bankruptcy's most powerful provisions — the moment a petition is filed, it immediately stops virtually all collection actions, lawsuits, foreclosures, wage garnishments, and creditor contact. The stay is automatic and requires no court order. Creditors who violate the automatic stay can be held in contempt and ordered to pay damages.