Review a Case File Online

Our virtual file room provides easy access to case files. Here's what we have online:

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from Federal Appellate, District, and Bankruptcy courts, and from the U.S. Party/Case Index. An alternative to the dial-up PACER system, PACER provides Internet access to all our dockets and images, regardless of database. Visit the PACER Service Center online or call them at (800) 676-6856 to register. Note: If you are already a PACER user, then enter your ID and password.

The ECF/PACER system currently has all cases that were active in 1997 or filed in 1997 and later. For older case information, you may need to use webPACER for now. We'll keep you posted on the progress of our conversion efforts.

For cases outside the Southern District of California, you may use the U.S. Party/Case Index (national PACER case/party index). It contains information from most (but not all) bankruptcy courts. For registered agencies or individuals, the standard charge of $0.08 per page will be assessed for access to this service, and these fees cannot be waived by our court for ECF filers.

^ Top

Case file not online? Reserve a Case

If the case is open (and you can give us at least 24 hours), we will pull the file and confirm its availability by E-mail or telephone. Using our reservation system saves time and money because it notifies you that the file is available — before you make a trip to the courthouse.We will hold a file for 48 hours before returning it to the shelves.

^ Top

Is the case closed?

If the case is closed and you want document copies, click here for complete directions on obtaining the records directly from the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Federal Records Center.

You can order document copies by completing Form NATF 90, titled National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Order for Copies of Bankuptcy Cases. On Form NATF 90, you will need to supply specific information in order to obtain document copies from the NARA Federal Records Center:

• Case number
• Accession number
• Box number
• Location

Click here to obtain the case's the accession number, box number, and location. Where prompted, enter the case number to find this information. Enter this information on Form NATF 90, then complete the remainder of the form and submit it to the NARA Federal Records Center.

^ Top