Frequently Asked Questions
At the bottom of the page you'll find the contact form, but please take a look at the frequently asked questions before submitting the form. Thanks.Disclaimer: While the information presented is accurate as of the date of publication, it should not be cited or relied upon as legal authority. It is highly recommended that legal advice be obtained from a bankruptcy attorney. Please also refer to the United States Bankruptcy Code (title 11, United States Code) , the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Bankruptcy Rules for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Finally, if you do not understand terms used in these questions and responses, many of them are defined in Bankruptcy Basics issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
The Court staff cannot give legal advice under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 955.
The Clerk’s office CANNOT
- Explain the meaning of a particular rule
- Give an interpretation of case law
- Explain the result of taking or not taking action in a case
- Tell you whether jurisdiction is proper in a case
- Tell you whether a complaint properly presents a claim
- Provide advice on the best procedure to accomplish a particular goal
- Apply a Rule or Statute
- Explain who should receive proper notice or service
General Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get a copy of my discharge papers?
2. How do I get Certified copies of documents from the Clerk’s Office?
3. Can I use one of the attorneys passwords in my office to file electronically?
4. How much does it cost to have a document Certified?
5. May I speak directly with a Bankruptcy Judge?
7. Where can I get the Forms needed to File bankruptcy?
9. How do I get information about a case?
10. Where do I file bankruptcy documents?
11. Do I need an attorney to file for bankruptcy?
12. How do I get my name removed from your website? Google search finds my name.
13. How do I report a bankruptcy fraud?
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1. How do I get a copy of my discharge papers?
You have several options-
- Contact your attorney
- Visit the courthouse. The fee for copies is 10 cents per page.
- You can make a request for copies by mail to: U S Bankruptcy Court 219 S. Dearborn St., Room 713, Chicago, IL 60604. Please make sure your letter request includes your name and case number and the name of the documents you are requesting. Provide a self-addressed, and postage paid envelope large enough to return your requested documents. The fee for copies is 10 cents per page.
- You can sign up for electronic access to case information. You can subscribe to PACER Service which will allow you access to all Bankruptcy case records and you will be able to print case documents yourself. To receive more information about PACER Service you can visit the website: http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov or telephone the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 between the hours of 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday - Friday CST.
2. How do I get Certified copies of documents from the Clerk’s Office?
You must request the copies in person or in writing and prepay a fee for copying and processing.
3. Can I use one of the attorneys passwords in my office to file electronically?
To file documents in Bankruptcy Cases, an attorney or non-attorney bankruptcy trustee must obtain a login and password for electronic filing and viewing of documents in the System.
A password may only be used by the Registrant to whom it is issued and by individuals authorized by the Registrant. A Registrant is responsible for all applicable charges associated with the use of the Registrant’s password. Any documents filed using the password will be deemed authorized and signed by the Registrant. (See Administrative Procedures for the Case Management/Electronic Case filing System amended 3/20/07
4. How much does it cost to have a document Certified?
The copy cost of the document you wishes certified $.10 per page and $9.00 for each certification.
5. May I speak directly with a Bankruptcy Judge?
No. Federal law prohibits any contact with the Judge outside the Courtroom in order to preserve the impartiality of the Court and to prevent the appearance of any impropriety or allegations of preferential treatment of any party.
A person, partnership, corporation, or business trust may file a bankruptcy case. Corporations, partnerships and business trust cannot proceed if they are not represented by an attorney. Only an individual can proceed without an attorney.
7. Where can I get the Forms needed to File bankruptcy?
The forms are available at the Bankruptcy Court, the Courts website, or from a local stationery store.
9. How do I get information about a case?
There are several ways you can get information:
- If you have access to a computer with internet access, you can get access to the Court’s electronic records through PACER by selecting the menu option "ECF/Pacer Login" from the Court's website.
- In order to use PACER, you must open a PACER account. You can do that by calling (800) 676-6856 or (210) 301-6440 to get a registration form.You may register online at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/
- You may also come into the court and use the public service computers to view electronic records for no fee. See our website for Court Locations and Directions.
10. Where do I file bankruptcy documents?
You can mail or bring your document into the appropriate court. The court is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm except legal holidays.
If the bankruptcy case you are filing the document for is located in one of the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, Grundy, LaSalle, or Kendall
Please file your document at this location:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Dirksen Federal Building
219 S. Dearborn St. - Room 713
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 435-5694
If the bankruptcy case is located in one of the following counties: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, JoDaviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, or Winnebago
Please file your document at this location:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
211 S. Court Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-4350
11. Do I need an attorney to file for bankruptcy?
You may file a bankruptcy petition on your own if you are an individual, but not if you are a corporation or partnership. However, the relief available to you, the obligations imposed on you and the ramifications associated with the bankruptcy are extremely complex. It is difficult to have a successful bankruptcy case without the help of competent legal counsel.
If you decide to file without an attorney, see our website
http://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov"Filing Bankruptcy without a Lawyer" for more information.
12. How do I get my name removed from your website? Google search finds my name.
We cannot remove your name from our website. All records and hearings are public. Google has an option to remove your name from it's results http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=508&topic=360&hl=en. Other search engines may have a similar option.
13. How do I report a bankruptcy fraud?
Investigations of alleged bankruptcy fraud is the responsibility of the U.S. Trustee. Here is a link to the local U.S. Trustee http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/r11/index_page.htm. Please report of any fraudulent bankruptcy activity.
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Debtor Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I go to get my Certificate of Credit Counseling?
2. How can I add a creditor that was accidentally left off my bankruptcy case?
3. What creditors can I include in my bankruptcy?
5. What is a Meeting of Creditors? What happens there?
6. How do I get my bankruptcy removed from the Credit Bureau’s record?
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1. Where can I go to get my Certificate of Credit Counseling?
A list of credit counseling agencies can be found on our website at http://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov under a link on the left side of the page click on Filing Bankruptcy without a Lawyer/Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Information.
The list is displayed according to the state you reside.
2. How can I add a creditor that was accidentally left off my bankruptcy case?
You can file the appropriate Amended Schedule (D, E, or F) to add or correct the creditors address accompanied with the amount from the fee schedule (Amendments to debtor’s schedules, lists of creditors or mailing list). The fee must be paid with by cash, money order, or certified check. The money order, or certified check must be made payable to U. S. Bankruptcy Court.
3. What creditors can I include in my bankruptcy?
You can contact an attorney who provides assistance for Pro Se filers at the Bankruptcy Assistance Help Desk Monday thru Friday from 9:30 am thru 12:30 pm. Located at the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604 in room 625.
You can contact an attorney who provides assistance for Pro Se filers at the Bankruptcy Assistance Help Desk Monday thru Friday from 9:30 am thru 12:30 pm. Located at the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604 in room 625
5. What is a Meeting of Creditors? What happens there?
The meeting of creditors is hearing all debtors must attend in any bankruptcy proceeding. It is held outside of the presence of the judge and usually occurs between 20 and 40 days after the filing of the petition. In a Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases, the trustee assigned to the case conducts the meeting. In a Chapter 11 case, a representative of the United States Trustee’s Office conducts the meeting.
6. How do I get my bankruptcy removed from the Credit Bureau’s record?
The bankruptcy court does NOT perform any activities with the credit bureaus. You must contact the individual credit bureau’s for their procedure for removing your bankruptcy filing from their credit report. In general, bankruptcies are listed on your credit report for 7-10 years.
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Creditor Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I file a proof of claim against a debtor?
2. How can I confirm my claim has been filed on case XXXXXX?
1. Where can I go to get my Certificate of Credit Counseling?
You can file a Proof of Claim (Form B-10) with the Clerk's Office to have the association listed as a creditor on this bankruptcy case and receive notice. There are instructions on page two of this form. The forms are available on the website under Forms, Bankruptcy Forms.
2. How can I add a creditor that was accidentally left off my bankruptcy case?
Please submit a contact request.
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