What are Nevada Bankruptcy Records?

Nevada bankruptcy records are paper and electronic documents generated during bankruptcy case filings in the state. Typically, bankruptcy refers to legal proceedings involving persons or businesses that are unable to pay their outstanding debts. In Nevada, such legal proceedings involve the elimination of debts, distribution of assets, and debt repayment plans between debtors and creditors. The federal bankruptcy court in the state is charged with filing and maintaining records of bankruptcy filed within the state’s jurisdiction. This may not be true for older bankruptcy case files. By federal law, bankruptcy records are public documents that are available to the public via state-managed and independent sources such as CourtRecords.Us.

What do Nevada Bankruptcy Records Contain?

Nevada bankruptcy records contain general and specific information about bankruptcy cases filed in the state. These records share similar general characteristics but differ based on specificities. Indeed, no two bankruptcy records are the same. Some of the details in a Nevada bankruptcy record may include:

• Name of the business or person filing the action
• Bankruptcy filing type (for instance, chapter 7)
• Bankruptcy filing date
• Bankruptcy closing date
• Case type (single or mega)
• Court where the bankruptcy was filed (Nevada Court)
• Liability amount
• Asset amount
• Creditor information including name, date of inquiry, and the credit bureau
• Consumer statements or additional remarks
• Case status

Are Bankruptcy Records Public Information?

Yes, bankruptcy records generated in the Nevada Bankruptcy Court are available to the public eyes. This right is ensured by two laws including the Federal Records Act and Freedom of Information Act. The case filing details, including a list of all property and debts in bankruptcy schedules as well as a list of all creditors in the case. The public is also capable of viewing the creditor’s proof of claim and how the debts were discharged. It is important to note that not all parts of a bankruptcy record are public information in Nevada. Some parts that contain sensitive financial and personal information are closed from public access. Also unavailable are bankruptcy records sealed by court order. Pursuant to 44 USC § 3303, bankruptcy records older than 15 years in storage are destroyed and may never be located and accessed by public or specific citizens.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Such platforms, which operate independently of any state, county, or local agency, may make the search process easier because they are not geographically constrained. Third-party platforms may also have search engines that might be useful when conducting a search for a specific or many records. To use a third-party or government website, interested parties typically submit any or all of the following:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How to Get Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records are public records. Nevada citizens may access bankruptcy records generated within the jurisdiction of the state by querying the relevant authority responsible for keeping the records. The Nevada Bankruptcy Court provides various methods for accessing records of mega bankruptcy cases, single bankruptcy cases, open bankruptcy cases, closed bankruptcy cases, and even old bankruptcy cases. Transcripts and compact discs of these records and information about unclaimed funds are also available. The court clerk is the authority vested with the power to maintain and process all record requests in the state’s bankruptcy court. The available record retrieval methods include:

• Using available online resources (managed by courts or third party websites)
• By making in-person requests to the record custodian
• By sending written requests to the office of the clerk of courts
• By phone via the Voice Case Information System (VCIS)

How to Get Nevada Bankruptcy Court Records In Person

Step 1: Identify the Right Court

The Nevada Bankruptcy Court holds hearings in Las Vegas and Reno. Both courthouses have clerks of court responsible for processing and releasing copies of bankruptcy records filed from 2002 to present day. To access bankruptcy records filed in Las Vegas, interested persons should visit the office located at:

CLERK OF COURT
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada
Foley Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
300 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 527–7000

Entry into the Las Vegas courthouse is located on the east side of the building. There is also a Handicap Access Ramp reserved for handicaps and people living with a disability at the entrance.

The address and contact information of the Reno Office’s Operations Manager include:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada
C. Clifton Young Federal Building
300 Booth Street
Reno, NV 89509
(775) 326–2100

Visitors may enter the Reno office through the west side of the building on Booth street. As with the Las Vegas office, a Handicap Access Ramp is located at this entrance.

Step 2: Collect Relevant information and Visit the Appropriate Courthouse

Requesters are required to gather important information needed to find the bankruptcy record of interest. Such information may include case number, debtor’s name and case status. Gather information needed to facilitate the search such as case number and debtor’s name. Case information pertaining to mega cases are generally accessible on the mega cases section of the Nevada Bankruptcy Court website. Mega cases are cases in which the amount of debt is $100,000 or more or involves 1000 or more creditors.

Both the Las Vegas and Reno offices have public access terminals where visitors may self-serve and print bankruptcy records themselves. Provided the requester has the basic information, they may be able to view and print copies of bankruptcy records filed in the court since 2002. Alternatively, requesters may take written requests to the court clerk’s office. The office operates on weekdays between 9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. except on federal holidays.

Note: Be sure to have a valid government-issued photo identification to be able to gain entrance into the building. The ID is strictly required at the security checkpoints.

Step 3: Pay the Required Fees and Collect the Record of Interest

Viewing bankruptcy court records using the courthouse terminal is free of charge. However, requesting parties are typically charged a nominal fee for making copies of these records. Printing at the terminal costs 10 cents per page. At this point, it is imperative to note that records printed from these terminals are for informational purposes and are not certified. Certified copies are only available from the clerk’s office. Generally, the clerk charges 50 cents per page for uncertified copies and $11 per certified document. Acceptable payment methods include cashier’s check, money order, or personal check payable to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The Nevada Bankruptcy Court does not accept cash payments. Also, personal checks are unacceptable from debtors and debtors in possession.

How to Get Nevada Bankruptcy Records by Mail

Interested persons may obtain bankruptcy records via mail by querying the clerk of court. To do this, the requester is required to send a written request bearing sufficient information needed to locate the records. The information includes the case number, debtor’s name, and precisely which documents are to be copied and/or certified. Also, the request must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and appropriate fees. The court clerk requires a $31 search fee per record request. If the record is found, requesters may pay up to 50 cents per page and $11 for certification. Acceptable payment methods include bank cashier’s check, U.S. postal money order, or personal check made out to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Cash payments are not accepted. Also, personal checks from debtors or debtors in possession are not accepted by the clerk.

It is recommended to call the clerk beforehand to determine the number of pages to be copied and exact fee to be paid. This also provides an opportunity for the clerk to relate other local request guidelines if any.

How to Get Nevada Bankruptcy Court Records Online

The Federal Judiciary offers a centralized online case management system known as Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Interested persons may access this system through the Nevada Court PACER Website or by using the PACER Case Locator. The Nevada PACER site is useful for finding individual PACER or Case Management/Electronic Case files (CM/ECF) of all federal cases filed in Nevada. On the other hand, the case locator is a part of the PACER system which allows users to conduct nationwide searches. These online search systems are available for use 24 hours per day and seven days per week. First-time users are typically required to register an account and billing information.

The PACER portal is not entirely free. Users are billed quarterly if their accounts accrues $30 usage in a given quarter. Typically, each page costs 10 cents. This per-page charge applies to the number of pages that result from any search, including searches that yield no results (One page for no results/matches). The highest charge for any image document is $3 excluding transcripts. In addition, digital audio files are charged $2.40. Requesters may consult the Fee Schedule on the PACER FAQ page for additional information about fees. For a good cause, the court may exempt certain persons from paying PACER access fees. Persons who meet the eligibility criteria are required to file a motion for exemption.

One-time researchers and persons who do not wish to go through the registration process may locate the bankruptcy records of their choice by searching the online database maintained by CourtRecords.Us.

How to Get Nevada Bankruptcy Court Records By Phone

While bankruptcy records cannot be accessed by phone in Nevada, information of cases filed from 1996 may be accessible via the Voice Case Information System (VCIS). This system allows anyone with a touch-tone telephone to easily get basic bankruptcy case information free of charge. Available case information includes the debtor’s name, date of filing, chapter, attorney for the debtor, date and time of pending cases, as well as general case status, closing date, discharge date, and trustee information.

To use the Nevada bankruptcy court VCIS, interested persons must dial 1–866–222–8029 and say “Nevada’' when prompted to say the court they want to connect to. Typically, requesters may search by case number, participant name, or debtor’s social security number. To get a better grasp of the whole process, it is recommended to press 1 or say help to get detailed instruction on how to use the voice system.

How do I Find Out if My Bankruptcy Case is Closed in Nevada?

To determine the status of a Nevada bankruptcy case, call or mail the court and provide relevant details needed to locate the record. The best way to find out if a bankruptcy case is closed in Nevada is by using the Voice Court Information System (VCIS). Querying parties may also visit the courthouse to check the computer terminal, public indexes, or court files.

How to Get Closed Bankruptcy Court Records in Nevada

The Nevada Bankruptcy Court does not keep closed case files. Such records filed from 2002 and earlier may be obtained from the Federal Records Center (FRC) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The information needed to access closed bankruptcy court records from the FRC includes:

• Case file number
• Case file name(s)
• City in which the court is located
• Transfer number (or accession number)
• NARA location number
• Agency box number

Using the information above, interested persons may locate closed Nevada bankruptcy records by mail, email, or fax. If the information is not available, call the ECF helpdesk at (866) 232–1266.

To request closed Nevada bankruptcy court records by mail, requesters are required to complete the Bankruptcy Case Form (Closed Cases). Send the form along with appropriate fees to the following addresses:

For Las Vegas Closed Case Files
Riverside Federal Records Center
National Archives and Records Administration
Pacific Region
23123 Cajalco Road
Perris, CA 92570

For Reno Closed Case Files
San Francisco Federal Records Center
National Archives and Records Administration
Pacific Region
1000 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066–2350

Requesters send the complete form and fees by email or fax via the following contact information:

For las vegas closed bankruptcy records
Fax: (951) 956–2029
E-mail: riverside.trustfund@nara.gov
Website: Riverside Office

For Reno Closed Bankruptcy Records
Fax: (650) 238–3507
E-mail: sanbruno.reference@nara.gov
Website: San Francisco (San Bruno) Office

To request Nevada bankruptcy records online, visit the NARA e-service website dedicated to online request purposes.

Can a Bankruptcy be Expunged in Nevada?

No, a bankruptcy cannot be expunged in Nevada. This is to protect the public right of access to such records. However, 44 USC Section 3303 ensures that bankruptcy records older than 15 years in storage are destroyed. This destruction law practically applies to bankruptcy records filed earlier than 1996.

While bankruptcy records cannot be expunged, they may be sealed by court order. For a good cause, a bankruptcy judge may approve a motion under seal. This rule may be reversed or reinforced by the district court on creditors’ appeal.