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Information about bankruptcy and court records nationwide
Access to Bankruptcy and Other Court Case Files in NARA's Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle, WA)
NARA's Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle) makes available for review closed business and personal bankruptcy case files, and civil and criminal case files from Federal courts in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
You can order copies of most court case files online , by mail, or you can order using one of these order forms:
For access to and copies of all other case files, you must visit the Seattle facility.
Visiting The Seattle 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 206-336-5134 between 7:45 A.M. and 4:15 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 9 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 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.
Directions to the Seattle Facility
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:- Payment is due before the copies are made.
- Payment may be made by cash, money order, personal 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.
- Photocopy requests of more than 50 pages will either be mailed to you or will be available for pick-up the following day.
Access - Selected Court Case Files Only
Photocopying Costs Rise
Effective October 1, 2007, fees have increased for reproductions at all National Archives facilities, including for all
commonly-requested genealogical records.
You can order copies of most court case files online or you can order using one of these order forms:
We also accept mail, e-mail, or fax requests for photocopies of selected court 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.
- Court location:
- Case file number:
- Case file name:
- Transfer number:
- Location number:
- Agency box number:
Step 2 - Complete appropriate order form.
Step 3 - Be sure to include the following information on the order form:
- Name:
- Address:
- City:
- State:
- Zip code:
- Daytime telephone number (if we have a problem with your request):
Step 4 - Pay for your copies.
Make payment by money order, personal 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 or Fax payment or credit card information and the order form to:
* Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.
NARA's Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle)
6125 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115-7999
E-mail: seattle.reference@nara.gov
Your photocopies will be sent to you as soon as workload permits. If you want express service, please prepay the charges or provide your account number and name of the express company.
YOUR REQUEST, AND ANY FEES SUBMITTED, WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU IF:
- The information supplied in Step 1 is incorrect or incomplete.
- The name on the case file does not match the name requested.
- You fail to enclose full credit card information or the amount of your enclosed payment is incorrect.
- The charge to your credit card is declined.
- The case is too large or complex to handle by mail.
NARA's Seattle Facility Main Page
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