PACER Guide: Track Your Bankruptcy Case Without an Attorney

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. You can use it to track your bankruptcy case.

The system gives you access to case information, dockets, and filed documents. You get everything electronically.

What Is PACER?

PACER is the federal court system for electronic records. The Federal Judiciary created it to improve public access.

You can access case information from any bankruptcy court with a PACER account. State court records are not included.

A PACER account differs from an Electronic Case Filing (ECF) account. You can view documents but cannot file documents for your case online.

How Much Does PACER Cost?

Signing up is free. Viewing documents costs $0.10 per page.

The charge applies to everything you view. Pulling up a case docket counts as viewing, even though it’s not a PDF.

Charges are capped at $3.00 per document. Audio files cost $2.40 each.

You won’t pay anything if your quarterly charges stay under $30. That means 300 pages or fewer per three months.

If you only track your own case, you’ll likely never hit $30.

Why You Need a PACER Account for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Courts send notices to self-filers through regular mail. Many courts also offer electronic notices through the Bankruptcy Noticing Center.

PACER gives you all case information in one place. You get it directly from the bankruptcy court.

Most courts have PACER terminals in the clerk’s office. But traveling to court every time you need information wastes time.

Signing up for PACER solves that problem.

How To Sign Up for a PACER Account

You only need internet access. Go to the Case Search Only Registration page.

Step 1: Register Online

Click “Register Now” in the navigation bar. You can also click the online PACER Registration Form link.

Fill out the straightforward online form. The last question asks for your “user type.”

Choose “Plaintiff, Defendant, or Debtor in a Case.”

Next, you’ll create a username and password. You’ll also set up security questions.

Step 2: Select a Payment Option

The next screen requests payment information. You have two choices:

• Provide your debit card information
• Skip payment information

Debit cards with VISA or Mastercard symbols work. Don’t use credit cards to sign up.

Without payment information, you’ll receive an activation code by mail. Expect it in 7 to 10 business days.

Click “next” when ready. You’ll see the terms and conditions page.

Review the policies and procedures. Check the box at the bottom and hit submit.

A thank you screen confirms your registration.

How To Use PACER To Monitor Your Bankruptcy Case

Go to the PACER Case Locator (PCL). Sign in with your username and password.

Click Find Cases under Quick Searches. Choose Bankruptcy in the Court Type dropdown menu.

Type in your case number and hit Search.

You can sort results by Case Title, Court, Date Filed, or Date Closed. If your state has multiple districts, choose the correct one.

Check your Voluntary Petition’s first page if you’re unsure which district.

How To Find Your Case Without the Case Number

Use “Find Bankruptcy by SSN/EIN” if you don’t know your case number. You’ll need your Social Security Number.

Newly filed cases appear on PACER about 24 hours after filing.

How To Save Your Case

Click the star next to your case number. The star turns yellow when selected.

Saving your case makes it easy to find next time you log in.

Click the case link to go to the court’s CM/ECF site. Use the icons on the right to view parties or delete cases.

Viewing parties triggers a fee. You’ll see a notice to confirm charges.

Finding Specific Information Through the Query Menu

The CM/ECF site provides a menu of options. You can access different parts of your case.

Case Summary

The summary shows current case information. You’ll see the formal case name and important dates.

Contact information for the trustee and debtor is included.

Docket Report

The docket report is like a table of contents. Every filed document appears here.

Select a date range for your report. You can also choose specific document numbers.

Check the box to “Include links to Notice of Electronic Filing.” Click Run Report.

Basic case information and important dates appear at the top. Trustee information comes next.

Creditors who entered formal appearances are listed. They may not take an active role.

All documents filed appear by date. Underlined document numbers link to PDF files.

You can find information about these matters:

• Deficiency notices
• Fee waiver notices
• Hearing notices
• Objections
• Claims bar date notice
• Trustee’s Report of No Distribution
• Personal financial management certificate
• Motions (including turnover motions)
• Notices of Continuance
• Orders

Click document numbers in the second left column to view PDFs. You’ll see a transaction receipt page.

Click View Document to open it if you accept the charges.

Remember the charges:

• $0.10 per page for all pages viewed
• $2.40 per audio file for hearing recordings

Logging Out

Click the Logout link on the ECF menu bar. You’ll return to the ECF login screen.

Get Free Email Notices Instead

You can receive electronic court notices directly in your email. Sign up for electronic notices about your case.

You’ll get notified whenever something new appears on your docket. The Bankruptcy Noticing Center provides this service free.

Sign up at bankruptcynotices.uscourts.gov.

If you’re considering bankruptcy or need guidance, speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free. Getting professional help ensures you navigate the process correctly.