Information about open & closed cases is available to the public from a variety of mediums. The best medium for you to use depends on the kind of information you are looking for and the type of access available to you.

Electronic Services

The WebPACER system provides Public Access to Court Electronic Records via the WWW using any standard browser. Scanned case document images are also available via TXEB's WebPACER service. Persons interested in utilizing this service must first register with the PACER Service Center at 800 676-6856 or on the Internet at the PACER Service Center. There is a charge of $.07 per page for information retrieved from this site. If you need help using the WebPACER system, there is a user's guide available. To access WebPACER, go to http://pacer.txeb.uscourts.gov.

VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. VCIS uses an automated voice response system to read a limited amount of bankruptcy case information (debtor, debtor's attorney, case trustee and current case status) directly from the court's database in response to Touch-Tone telephone inquiries. From the Tyler local calling area dial 903-590-3251. Outside the Tyler area call toll-free 1-800-466-1694.

This is a service that allows any user with a personal computer or word processor to dial-in to bankruptcy court computers and retrieve official electronic case information and court dockets usually in less than a minute. Case document images are not available via PACER. In accordance with Judicial Conference policy, most courts charge a $.60 per minute access fee for dial-up. Persons desiring to use this service must first register with the PACER Service Center at 1-800 676-6856 or on the Internet at the PACER Service Center.

The U.S. Party/Case Index is a national index for U.S. district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts. This index allows searches to determine whether or not a party is involved in federal litigation almost anywhere in the nation. The U.S. Party/Case Index provides the capability to perform national or regional searches on party name and social security number in the bankruptcy index, party name and nature of suit in the civil index, and party name in the criminal and appellate indices. The search will provide a list of case numbers, filing locations and filing dates for those cases matching the search criteria. The U.S. Party/Case Index is available on the Internet and through the traditional dial-up service. The dial-up service is accessible with a terminal emulation of vt100 and settings of N/8/1. The toll-free modem number is (800) 974-8896 or (210) 301-6499 if residing in the San Antonio area. The Internet service is available on the World Wide Web at the U.S. Party/Case Index. For more information on the U.S. Party/Case Index, please visit the USPCI Overview.

In accordance with Judicial Conference policy, the PACER Service Center charges a $.60 per minute access fee for dial-up service and $.07 per page for Internet service. Persons desiring to use this service must first register with the PACER Service Center at 1-800 676-6856 or on the Internet at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html.

The paper case file for all closed cases are eventually sent to the Federal Records Center in Fort Worth, Texas for long term storage. The policy differs slightly among our three divisional offices on how long a file is held at the divisional office after being closed.

You are encouraged to always determine the physical location of a case file using the Court's electronic records before actually traveling to the Court. Please visit the FRC Search Page to determine if the case file you are interested in has actually been sent to the FRC for storage.

You can find information concerning Chapter 13 Trustee's Final Reports at the following locations:

In-Person Services

Open & recently closed bankruptcy case files are available in the Clerk's office for review by the public at no charge. Under no circumstances can a case file be removed from the Clerk's office. Beaumont & Lufkin division case files are available in our Beaumont office. Texarkana, Paris & Sherman division case files are available in out Plano office. Marshall & Tyler division cases are available in our Tyler office.

Various commercial service providers may perform research on your behalf. These companies usually provide a fee for their services. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court does not endorse any of the companies listed nor does the court warrant their suitability to perform the work desired. This list is provided only as a public service.

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