Bankruptcy Voice Case Information Systems (VCIS)
Getting bankruptcy records could not be any easier, but some people do not know how to do it and actually pay money for this information. All one has to do to get bankruptcy information is to call the bankruptcy court's automated VCIS number and run a search by either case number, name or social security number. The automated system will then read off information about the case. Some courts have all of this information available online, as well. Links to bankruptcy court web sites and VCIS phone numbers are all included for you here. The VCIS lines are currently (as of this writing) free to use.
PACER Service Center
This is the Federal Judiciary's centralized registration, billing, and technical support center for electronic access to U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate court records. If you need more detailed information than what is provided on the voice system, just get a PACER account. Note that there is a charge to use PACER, though.
Links To Bankruptcy Courts
To get bankruptcy information, first go to the applicable state court page. From there, it should be easy to write/telephone for information on how to obtain the records.
Bankruptcy Data
BankruptcyData.com provides instant access to information on thousands of business bankruptcy filings from over 80 federal bankruptcy districts.
Bankruptcy, Public Records and Privacy
There is a lot of information in this letter of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and the Electronic Frontier Foundation presented to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Bankruptcy Resources On The Web
There are helpful links that contain information about bankruptcy and bankruptcy law and links to bankruptcy organizations, committees and discussion groups.
U.S. Bankruptcy Clerks' Offices
These are links to web sites of bankruptcy clerks' offices across the country. Contact information is listed for those without web sites.
KnowX Bankruptcy Search
From KnowX: "Check the financial stability of businesses and individuals. Covering all bankruptcy districts in the United States, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, this search is an excellent scan of financial history."
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada
This site has a searchable database that contains a record of all bankruptcies and proposals filed in Canada from 1978 to date; tt also contains a record of all private and court appointed receiverships filed in Canada from 1993 to date.
Note: You can get a lot of information from bankruptcy records, which are considered to be public information. Basic bankruptcy information couldn't be easier to get, and it can be done using the automated VCIS (Voice Case Information System) right over the telephone for free. The bankruptcy petition file will contain the person's social security number, date of birth, current and former addresses, names of spouse and children, bank account information, employment history and benefit information, list of property and vehicles with VIN numbers, information about the spouse (including social security number, etc.) and more. The attorney's name will also be listed. Any property that can be retained will also be listed. You will be able to search the bankruptcy files by name for an application. On the application will be a case number. Once you have the case number, you can retrieve the entire file.
Know of a site that belongs on this list? Contact Spies Online.
