Now you can order copies of court records online.
Information about bankruptcy and court records nationwide
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 in NARA's Mid Atlantic Region, Philadelphia
NARA's Mid Atlantic Region (Philadelphia) makes available for review closed business and personal bankruptcy case files, and civil and criminal case files from Federal courts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Copies of Court Records can now be ordered online. We also have the following Court Records Order forms online, which you can print out and mail in:
To review and obtain copies of court case files, please follow the steps below.
For questions and information about our fax and mail order services
call 215-305-2020 or 215-305-2000 or e-mail philadelphia.reference@nara.gov.
Visiting the Philadelphia Facility
If you would prefer to research the files at the records center, you MUST make an appointment before visiting.
STEP 1 - Provide us with case information.
For each case, obtain the following information from the court
where the case was adjudicated. Your request cannot be processed without this
information.
- Court location: _________________________
- Case file name(s): _______________________
- Case file number: _______________________
- Transfer number: ______________________
- Agency box number: ____________________
- Record Center shelf location number: _________________
Step 2 - Schedule an appointment.
Call 215-305-2020 or 215-305-2000 between 8 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. weekdays, except Federal holidays, to schedule an appointment. 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 between 8 A.M. and 3 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 may not be available. We will call you to confirm that your file(s) is(are) ready, however you can confirm that the file is available by calling 215-305-2020 or 215-305-2000. Allow one business day between making your request for a case file and confirming that it is available.
- Directions to the Northeast Philadelphia Facility
Step 3 - Arrive at the appointed time.
Only paper and pencil, laptop computers, portable audio recording devices and, at times, photocopying equipment, may be used for note taking. Briefcases, pocketbooks, bags, and other personal items must be checked before entering the research room. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the research room.
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:
* Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.
- Case file retrieval fee for those visiting the records center: Effective 10/1/2007, a $10.00 retrieval fee will be charged for each folder or box retrieved from which you request copies be made. If you do not request copies, there is no charge. You can also request our Small or Large Package options for $25.00 and $75.00 respectively, plus certification fees (if selected).
- Certified and uncertified copies are available. Costs are $ .90 (90 cents) per copy, $15.00 per certification.
- Payment may be made by cash (exact amount required), money order, personal check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund-identification will be required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA.
- No copies will be made after 3:30 P.M.
- Large orders will either be mailed to you or will be available for pick-up at a later date.
- Under no circumstances will NARA staff certify photocopies after they have been delivered to the requester.
PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.
