Pacific Region

Order copies online Order copies of court records online.

Photocopying Costs Rise

Effective October 1, 2007, fees have increased for reproductions at all National Archives facilities, including for all commonly-requested genealogical records.

Access to Bankruptcy and Other Court Case Files

The National Archives Pacific Region in San Francisco (San Bruno) makes available for review closed business and personal bankruptcy case files, and civil and criminal case files from Federal courts in northern California, Hawaii, and Nevada (except Clark County.)

We now have the following Court Records Order forms online, which you can print out and mail in:

To order copies of these case files, you can also order online. Copies of personal bankruptcy case files can also be ordered by mail. For access to and copies of all other case files, you must visit the San Bruno facility.

Visiting the San Bruno Facility

You MUST make an appointment before visiting the facility. To do so, follow the steps below:

Step 1 - Acquire case information from the Federal court.

For each case, obtain the following information from the court where the case was closed. Your request cannot be processed without this information.
  • City in which the court is located:
  • Case file name(s):
  • Case file number:
  • Transfer number:
  • Agency box number:
  • NARA location number:
Step 2 - Schedule an appointment.
Call 650-238-3500 between 7:30 A.M. and 4 P.M. weekdays, except Federal holidays, to schedule an appointment. Call at least 24 hours before you wish to visit. You will have to provide the following information:
  • The case information from Step 1.
  • Your name and daytime telephone number.
Appointments are scheduled on weekdays, every 20 minutes between 7:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. You will usually be given an appointment on the first or second business day after your call. Please do not travel to the facility without scheduling an appointment because the case file(s) you wish to review will not be available.

Step 3 - Arrive at the appointed time.

Only paper and pencil, laptop computers, or portable audio recording devices may be used for note taking. Briefcases, pocketbooks, bags, and other personal items must be checked in a locker or returned to your vehicle. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the research room, nor are children under 16 years old.

Step 4 - Obtain Copies of Documents.

You must identify the pages you wish to have copied. The research room staff is not trained in court procedures and can provide only limited assistance in identifying pages that you need. All questions regarding file contents must be directed to the appropriate Federal court.
Please note:
  • Certified and uncertified copies are available. Costs are $ .90 (90 cents) per copy, with an additional $10.00 per box retrieval fee, $15.00 per certification.
  • Payment is due before the copies are made.
  • Payment may be made by cash, money order, personal preprinted check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund, valid identification required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA.
  • No copies will be made after 4:00 P.M.
  • Depending on workload, photocopies of more than 50 pages will either be mailed to you or will be available for pick-up the following day.

Personal Bankruptcy Case File Access by Mail

Copies of Court Records can now be ordered online. This is an easy and convenient method to order copies of case files.

* Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.

The facility will also accept mail, e-mail, or fax requests for photocopies of personal bankruptcy case files only (not business bankruptcy, criminal, or civil case files). Please follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Acquire case information from the Federal court.
For each case, obtain the following information from the court where the case was filed and closed. PLEASE USE ONE PAGE PER CASE.
  • The city in which the court is located:
  • Case file number:
  • Case file name:
  • Transfer number:
  • NARA location number:
  • Agency box number:
Step 2 - Select from the options below.
Identify whether you want the ENTIRE CONTENTS of the case file photocopied or a PACKAGE of selected documents:

--- The ENTIRE CONTENTS of the case file. This option includes all the documents in the case file and costs $70.00 for 150 pages uncertified ($85.00 certified), and $13.23 labor rate per 15-minute increments for additional pages uncertified ($15.00 per certification).

--- A PACKAGE containing commonly requested documents (personal bankruptcy cases only.) This option includes one or more of the documents listed below (no substitutes accepted). Note that some bankruptcy cases do not contain all the documents listed. If you chose the PACKAGE, you will receive only the copies of the documents found in the file. All questions concerning file contents should be directed to the appropriate bankruptcy court. The PACKAGE costs $25.00 for uncertified copies or $40.00 for certified copies.

  1. Final Decree, Order of Dismissal, or Order of Discharge
  2. Debtor's Voluntary Petition
  3. Attached Mailing List of Creditors
  4. Schedules A1(E), A2(D), & A3(F) - Statements of All Liabilities of Debtor
  5. Trustee's No Asset Report

Step 3 - So that we can send you your copies, give us your:

  • Name:
  • Address:
  • City:
  • State:
  • Zip code:
  • Daytime telephone number (if we have a problem with your request):

Step 4 - Pay for your copies.

* Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.

Make payment by money order, personal preprinted check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund, valid identification required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA. Provide type of credit card, account number, expiration date, and cardholder's authorized signature.

Step 5 - Mail, Email, or Fax payment or credit card information and the above information to:

NARA's Pacific Region (San Francisco)
Attn: Copy Request
1000 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066-2350

Requests will be processed (file retrieved, copies made and placed in outgoing mail) within 3 business days of receipt of payment. Your photocopies will be sent to you by U.S. Postal Service. If you want express service, please prepay the charges or provide your account number and name of the express company. You may also fax your copy request to 650-238-3507 or e-mail sanbruno.reference@nara.gov.

YOUR REQUEST, AND ANY FEES SUBMITTED, WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU IF:

  1. The information supplied in Step 1 is incorrect or incomplete.
  2. The name on the case file does not match the name requested.
  3. You fail to enclose full credit card information or the amount of your enclosed payment is incorrect.
  4. The charge to your credit card is declined.

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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272