Search Indiana Bankruptcy Records
Indiana bankruptcy records are filed in two federal court districts that cover all 92 counties across the state. Cases go through the Northern District or the Southern District of Indiana. Each district has clerk offices spread across seven locations. You can search case filings, discharge orders, and docket entries through the federal PACER system online. Phone access is free through the McVCIS voice line. Records from 2005 forward are on PACER. Older Indiana bankruptcy cases may be stored at the National Archives in Chicago. This page covers how to search Indiana bankruptcy records, which court serves your area, and where to get copies of case documents.
Indiana Bankruptcy Records Quick Facts
How to Find Indiana Bankruptcy Records
There are three main ways to look up bankruptcy records in Indiana. The fastest method is PACER, which stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. This federal system lets you search by name or case number from any computer. It costs $0.10 per page to view or print documents. You need an account to use it. Registration is free and takes a few minutes at the PACER site. The system holds bankruptcy records for cases filed from 2005 to now in both Indiana districts.
The PACER federal records system is the main tool for finding Indiana bankruptcy records online.
PACER covers both the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and runs around the clock.
You can also check bankruptcy records by phone. The Multi-Court Voice Case Information System, called McVCIS, is free to use. Call (866) 222-8029 any time. The automated line gives you basic case data like the debtor name, case number, filing date, chapter type, trustee name, judge, case status, and discharge date. It works for Indiana bankruptcy records in both districts. No login is needed.
In-person access is the third option. Each of the seven bankruptcy court offices in Indiana has public computers where you can look up records at no charge. Staff at the clerk office can help you find what you need. Bring a valid ID. You can also ask for printed copies, though copy fees apply. The offices are open Monday through Friday, typically 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Federal Bankruptcy Courts in Indiana
Indiana has two federal bankruptcy court districts. The Northern District covers the top part of the state. The Southern District covers the bottom half. Which court handles your case depends on the county where you live or where your business is based. All bankruptcy records in Indiana are federal records, not state or county records. County clerks do not keep bankruptcy files. Only the federal courts do.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana runs three offices.
The main office is in South Bend at 401 South Michigan Street. Fort Wayne has an office at 1300 South Harrison Street. Hammond has one at 5400 Federal Plaza. All three share the phone line at (574) 968-2265. A fourth location in Lafayette handles some hearings but has limited hours. These offices serve the northern counties and hold all bankruptcy records filed in that half of Indiana.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana has four office locations.
The main office is in Indianapolis at 46 E Ohio St, Room 116. It has a staff of 37 and four authorized judgeships. The Evansville office is at 101 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Room 352, and you can reach them at (812) 434-6470. New Albany has an office at 121 W Spring St, Room 110, at (812) 542-4540. Terre Haute has a courtroom at 921 Ohio Street but it is not staffed, so all mail and filings for that area go to the Evansville office. The Indianapolis office phone is (317) 229-3800.
Searching Indiana Bankruptcy Records Online
Two main online tools give you access to Indiana bankruptcy records. PACER is for public searches. ECF, which stands for Case Management/Electronic Case Files, is the system attorneys use to file new documents. When a lawyer files a paper through ECF, it shows up on PACER shortly after. Both systems tie into the same database of bankruptcy records for Indiana.
Attorneys and creditors use the Southern District ECF portal to file and track cases electronically.
Public users can view the filed documents through PACER after they post to the docket.
You can log in through the PACER Service Center portal to access records from both Indiana districts and any other federal court in the country.
Registration is free. Viewing documents costs $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly fees under $30 are waived.
The Southern District also offers electronic services beyond PACER. The eSR system lets self-represented debtors file papers without a lawyer. EBN, or Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing, sends case notices to creditors by email instead of mail. DeBN does the same for debtors. These tools make it easier to track Indiana bankruptcy records as a case moves through the system.
Types of Indiana Bankruptcy Cases
Most bankruptcy cases filed in Indiana fall under one of three chapters of the federal code. Chapter 7 is the most common. It is a liquidation case where a trustee sells non-exempt property to pay creditors. The filing fee is $338. Chapter 7 cases in Indiana typically end in a few months. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, only people and businesses that meet certain income tests can file Chapter 7. The means test compares your income to the state median. If you earn too much, the court may push you toward Chapter 13 instead.
The full text of Title 11 of the United States Code covers all bankruptcy law that applies to Indiana cases.
Each chapter has its own rules for who can file and what happens to debts and property.
Chapter 13 lets people with regular income set up a repayment plan over three to five years. The filing fee is $313. This option works for people who want to keep their home or car while paying down debt. Chapter 11 is for business reorganization. It costs $1,738 to file. Businesses stay open while they restructure under court oversight. Chapter 12 serves family farmers and fishermen at a $278 filing fee. All of these case types create bankruptcy records that become part of the public file in Indiana. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, some debts like child support, certain taxes, and student loans cannot be discharged in any chapter.
Are Indiana Bankruptcy Records Public
Yes. Bankruptcy records are public under federal law. Section 107 of Title 11 says that all papers filed in a bankruptcy case are open to the public. Anyone can look them up. You do not need to be a party in the case. You do not have to give a reason for your search. This applies to all Indiana bankruptcy records in both the Northern and Southern Districts.
The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains access rules for state court records.
Bankruptcy cases are federal, so they follow federal access rules rather than Indiana state rules.
Some limits exist. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107(b), a court can restrict access to trade secrets or certain personal data. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and details about minor children are redacted from public filings. Parties can also ask the judge to seal specific documents for good cause. Sealed records in Indiana bankruptcy cases are uncommon. Indiana's own public records law, IC 5-14-3, governs state and local records but does not apply to federal bankruptcy filings.
Indiana state courts use a different system. The mycase.in.gov portal handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases at the state level.
This system does not include bankruptcy records. For those, you must use PACER or contact the federal court clerk.
Indiana Bankruptcy Record Copies
You can get copies of Indiana bankruptcy records in several ways. Through PACER, you can view and print documents at $0.10 per page. A certified copy from the clerk costs $11 per document plus $0.50 per page. An exemplified copy is $22 per document plus $0.50 per page. Audio recordings of hearings cost $2.40 per file. These fees are set by the federal courts and apply in both Indiana districts. For cases filed before 2005, contact the clerk office in the district where the case was filed. Some older records have been sent to the National Archives facility in Chicago.
The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis can help with historical research and finding archived bankruptcy records.
Their staff can direct you to the right federal archive or court office for older case files.
The Indiana Courts Directory lists contact details for every court office in the state.
Use this to find the county clerk nearest to you who can point you toward the right federal court.
Indiana state court fees are governed by IC 33-37, but those apply to state filings only. Federal bankruptcy record fees follow a separate schedule set by the Judicial Conference. Fees can change, so check with the clerk before placing an order. If you need help paying, you can ask the court to waive fees by filing a fee waiver application.
Indiana Bankruptcy Research Resources
Several state offices can help you track down bankruptcy records or related information in Indiana. While these offices do not hold bankruptcy files themselves, they can assist with research, forms, and referrals to the right federal court. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, an automatic stay goes into effect when someone files for bankruptcy. This stops most collection actions. If you are a creditor trying to verify a filing, these Indiana resources can help you confirm the details.
The Indiana Supreme Court oversees the state court system and sets rules for public access to court records.
State courts handle civil judgments and property matters that sometimes connect to bankruptcy cases in Indiana.
The IN.gov County Portal links to every county government website in Indiana.
County clerk offices can help with state court records and direct you to the federal court covering their area for bankruptcy records.
The Southern District also keeps a list of attorneys who do pro bono bankruptcy work. If you need legal help with a bankruptcy case in Indiana but cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask the court about volunteer attorney programs. The Northern District has similar resources at its South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Hammond offices.
Note: County clerks handle state court matters like civil cases, property records, and judgments, but they do not store bankruptcy records in Indiana.
Browse Indiana Bankruptcy Records by County
Each of Indiana's 92 counties falls under one of the two federal bankruptcy districts. Pick a county below to find out which court handles filings, local clerk contact information, and how to access bankruptcy records for that area.
Bankruptcy Records in Major Indiana Cities
Residents of larger cities file bankruptcy at the federal court that covers their county. Pick a city below to learn which district and office handles cases for that area.