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FAQs

  • What should I bring to the 341 meeting?
    • Debtors are required to bring both Picture ID and Proof of Social Security number to their 341 meeting.
    • Your case number.
    • If you are attending your 341 meeting at the courthouse in Seattle or Tacoma and plan to make a filing fee payment on your case, you can make online payments, or bring a money order or certified funds to the Clerk's office. Cash, credit cards, debit cards, bill bay checks and personal checks are not acceptable forms of payment.
  • How do I find out who the trustee is in a case?
    • The trustee’s name and address is printed on the first notice the court sends out, the Notice of the §341(a) Meeting of Creditors. The trustee's contact information is also available from the following sources:
    • McVCIS (Multi Court Voice Case Information Service) - an automated information service available 24 hours a day from any touch-tone telephone by calling 1-866-222-8029. To connect to our court, say "Washington Western". You can obtain case information following the instructions given by using the numbers on the keypad of your telephone.
    • PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) - Access to a mirror image of the court’s database from your personal computer which is available 24 hours a day via the internet. You must sign up for this service and there is a small fee. For more information visit their web site at http://www.pacer.gov(link is external) or call the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676-6856.
    • Computer terminals in the lobby of each office of the Clerk.
    • By calling the court and speaking to a clerk during the court's office hours.
  • What if I cannot attend my 341 meeting?

    The debtor, including each debtor in a joint case, is required to appear at the section 341 meeting of creditors. If a debtor needs to reschedule their meeting of creditors or request permission to appear other than in person, they should review Local Bankruptcy Rule 2003-1 and the Region 18 United States Trustee Policies for Rescheduling Meetings of Creditors and Allowing Debtor’s Appearance Other Than in Person(link is external)  for complete information.

  • What if I missed my 341 meeting?

    Chapter 7 and 13 debtors must contact the trustee assigned to their case as soon as possible and request the matter be continued. The trustee’s name and contact information may be found on the section 341 Meeting notice.

  • Are co-debtors required to be at the 341 meeting?

    No.  Only debtors and joint debtors who are listed on the first page of the petition must attend the section 341 meeting.

  • What if I don't speak English?

    The U.S. Trustee has a telephone interpreter service that debtors can use free of charge at their section 341 meeting. Debtor(s) who need a language interpreter for this purpose should contact the trustee assigned to their case. Debtors who need a sign language interpreter should contact the Office of the U.S. Trustee at 206-553-2000 to make arrangements.

    The bankruptcy court will only pay for a language interpreter if the United States initiates the court proceeding. In all other cases, a party needing an interpreter is responsible for obtaining an interpreter and for payment of the interpreter's fees and expenses. An exception is when a party, witness, or other participant in a judicial proceeding needs a sign language interpreter. In that instance, the bankruptcy court will provide and pay for a sign language interpreter or provide an auxiliary aid or service, or an assistive listening device to a person who is deaf, hearing impaired or has other communications disabilities whether or not the proceeding is initiated by the United States. For more information about court certified interpreters call the Clerk's Office in Seattle at 206-370-5200, and in Tacoma at 253-882-3900.

  • In the event of inclement weather, will I still need to appear at my 341 meeting?

    In the event of inclement weather resulting in the closing of court facilities, a Weather Notice will be posted on the court's website . For debtors scheduled to appear at 341 meetings in a facility that is closed, those hearings will be continued. Please contact the Clerk's Office in Seattle at 206-370-5200, or in Tacoma at 253-882-3900, for your new hearing date.  If the facility is opening late, please plan to appear as close to your scheduled time as possible.

    If there is no Weather Notice on our website, you should assume that all facilities are open and operating on schedule.

  • How do I obtain case information?

    The clerks office's in Seattle and Tacoma provide public terminals that may be used to view electronic court documents via PACER.  Public lobby hours apply:  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) is a public service that offers electronic access to the court's electronic case management system from your personal computer.

    Voice Case Information System (VCIS) - The Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029 is connected to the Bankruptcy Court's electronic case file system and can be accessed from any touch tone telephone to hear current case information in English or Spanish. This is a free service and is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

    Obtain Copies of Documents

    Order a Transcript of a Hearing

    Request Audio Recording of Hearing

    For further assistance, please contact the clerk's office:

    Seattle 206-370-5200 or Tacoma 253-882-3900

  • How do I get certified copies of documents?

    Copies and certified copies of documents are available at the Clerk's Office in either Seattle or Tacoma. There is a cost of $0.50 cents per page. A charge of $11.00 is added for a certification. Request may be made via mail or in person. 

    See also:  Obtain Copies of Documents

  • How do I get a hearing date?

    Parties set their own hearings from a list of available hearing dates for the judge assigned to the case. The bankruptcy judges hold motion calendars in Seattle, Tacoma, Port Orchard, Everett, and Vancouver on certain dates. To view the future calendar dates for a particular judge, look on the Court's website under Judges & Calendars.

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