Is There a Bankruptcy Database? Where and How to Access Filing Records

Accessing Bankruptcy Databases in the U.S.

Is there a bankruptcy database that professionals like attorneys, credit counselors, or legal marketers can access for research or outreach? Yes—and understanding how to access and use this data depends on what you’re looking for, how often you need it, and how you plan to use it. In the United States, bankruptcy records are part of the public record and are maintained through a federal database system. Several other tools and platforms also help legal professionals access, track, and analyze bankruptcy filings.

In this article, we’ll explore what a bankruptcy database is, the tools available (including PACER), and how this data can be used ethically—especially when looking for potential clients or researching bankruptcy trends.

What Is a Bankruptcy Database?

A bankruptcy database is a system that stores and organizes information about people and businesses that have filed for bankruptcy. These databases typically include:

• The filer’s name
• The bankruptcy chapter (7, 11, or 13)
• Court documents and filing dates
• Creditor and asset information
• Case status and outcomes

These systems are useful for:

• Attorneys researching potential leads
• Creditors monitoring bankruptcy activity
• Journalists reporting on business closures
• Consumers checking the status of their own or related cases

While bankruptcy filings are public, they are not listed in a simple Google search. Instead, they are stored in official legal databases—especially one called PACER.

PACER: The Federal Bankruptcy Database System

The main bankruptcy database in the U.S. is PACER, which stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is the official electronic filing and retrieval system used by all federal courts, including U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

What PACER Offers:

• Access to all bankruptcy cases filed in federal court
• Downloadable case documents (petitions, schedules, discharge notices)
• The ability to search by name, case number, date, or district
• Up-to-date information on case status and court actions

How to Use PACER:

1. Create an account at pacer.uscourts.gov
2. Log in to search bankruptcy records by debtor name or court
3. View case summaries or pay a small fee to download documents

Cost of Access:

PACER charges $0.10 per page (up to $3.00 per document), with free access for users under $30 in quarterly usage. Attorneys, journalists, and researchers use it regularly for official court information.

Other Ways to Access Bankruptcy Records

While PACER is the official database, there are third-party services that aggregate bankruptcy data into more user-friendly formats. These services may charge subscription fees but offer added features like lead scoring, contact filtering, and bulk downloads.

Common Third-Party Platforms:

• BKData
• LexisNexis
• Westlaw
• Accurint
• InfoTrac
• Local bankruptcy court websites (limited to individual jurisdictions)

Mailing List Providers:

For those interested in legal marketing, some data vendors offer bankruptcy mailing lists pulled from public filings. These are often filtered by:

• Location
• Date filed
• Type of bankruptcy
• Income bracket

These lists are commonly used by:

• Attorneys offering post-filing legal services
• Debt relief and credit counseling agencies
• Financial advisors offering rebuilding tools

Ethical Considerations When Using Bankruptcy Data

If you plan to use bankruptcy databases to generate leads or contact filers, you must follow legal and ethical guidelines:

Key Reminders:

• Do not contact debtors before their 341 Meeting of Creditors—this can be viewed as solicitation during the court’s notice period
• Always follow your state bar’s advertising rules
• Ensure your message is truthful, respectful, and non-coercive
• If using a data vendor, choose one that verifies records and filters sensitive information properly
• Consider offering free consultations or non-salesy resources in your outreach

Using bankruptcy records to help individuals access resources is valid—but it must be done ethically and with intent to inform, not exploit.

Is There a Bankruptcy Database and How Can You Use It Responsibly?

Yes—there is a bankruptcy database. In fact, multiple systems exist, with PACER being the official federal platform for accessing bankruptcy filings across the United States. Whether you’re an attorney, marketer, journalist, or credit counselor, these tools provide valuable insight into current and past bankruptcy cases.

However, with access comes responsibility. Using these records ethically—whether to serve clients, understand legal trends, or reach out to individuals—requires compliance with advertising rules and a clear intent to inform, not exploit. Bankruptcy data is public, but trust must be earned when using it in practice.

Need Access to Bankruptcy Data for Your Legal Practice? We Can Help

Still asking is there a bankruptcy database that fits your needs? Legal Brand Marketing connects law firms and legal professionals with tools, services, and ethical outreach strategies that help you turn public bankruptcy data into meaningful client relationships.

Contact us today for strategic legal marketing support.