Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN) – Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN)?
- Who is the Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC)?
- What are Court Notices and Orders?
- Who Will Serve Notices to Me via Email?
- How Long Will a DeBN Account Remain Active?
- How Does DeBN Work?
- How Do I Request DeBN?
- How Do I Make Changes to My DeBN Account?
- When can I enroll in DeBN?
- I filed jointly with my spouse. Do we both have to request DeBN?
- What should I do if I move?
- What should I do if I want to reactivate my DeBN account?
- Who do I contact if I have additional questions about DeBN?
- I am an attorney. How do I request DeBN for the debtor?
What is Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN)?
Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN) is a FREE and voluntary service that allows debtors to request delivery of court notices and orders from the bankruptcy court, through the BNC, via email instead of U.S. mail.
Who is the Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC)?
The Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) provides services to the bankruptcy court by sending court notices and orders to the parties by either mail or email.
What are Court Notices and Orders?
Court notices and orders refer to the documents filed by the bankruptcy court, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Notice of Meeting of Creditors
- Notice Scheduling Objections (This notice provides a deadline for parties to file objections to motions)
- Notice Setting or Cancelling Hearing
- Notice of Requirement to Complete Course in Financial Management
- Notice re: Deficient Documents
- Order Discharging Debtor
Who Will Serve Notices to Me via Email?
By enrolling in DeBN, a debtor consents ONLY to service of court notices and orders filed by the bankruptcy court. The BNC, on the bankruptcy court’s behalf, will prepare and send the emails.
No other parties, such as creditors and trustees, are allowed to use the DeBN program to email debtors—all other parties will continue to serve documents upon the debtor via U.S. mail.
How Long Will a DeBN Account Remain Active?
A DeBN account remains active, unless:
- Debtor’s account is automatically disabled due to an email transmission failure (email bounce-back); or
- Debtor files a request to deactivate the account. A debtor may file this request at any time.
As long as the debtor’s DeBN account is active, all court notices and orders will be emailed to the debtor by the BNC in any current or future bankruptcy or adversary case from any bankruptcy court district in which the debtor’s name and address in that case match the name and address in the debtor’s DeBN account, including cases where the debtor may be listed as a creditor.
How Does DeBN Work?
Once the debtor files a DeBN request form and the clerk’s office creates the DeBN account, all future court notices or orders will be emailed to the debtor.
When the court files a notice or order and sends it to the BNC for service upon the debtor, the BNC will email the notice to the debtor at the end of the day. The court notice or order will be emailed as a single PDF attachment, and a separate email will be sent for each court notice or order that has been filed.
There is no limit to the number of times the debtor may view the PDF attachment, and the debtor is free to print the attachment, save it to his or her computer, or simply retain the email for viewing at any time.
If the PDF attachment exceeds 8 MB, the notice will be sent to the debtor by U.S. mail instead of email.
How Do I Request DeBN?
Signing up for DeBN is easy:
- Complete and print the request form: Debtor’s Electronic Noticing Request (DeBN)
- File the completed and originally signed form at the court's intake counter or mail to the address listed on the form.
- The court creates your account.
After your account is activated, you will receive a confirmation email from the BNC. From this point forward, all future notices and orders filed by the court will be delivered to you via email, as long as your name and address in the bankruptcy case match your name and address in your DeBN account and there are no email transmission failures.
How Do I Make Changes to My DeBN Account?
Keep the Court Advised When You:
- Change your email address
- Change your mailing address;
- File a new case after enrolling in DeBN (so the court can make sure your name and address in your DeBN account match your new case); or
- Wish to deactivate or reactivate your account.
A debtor can enroll in DeBN at any time during the pendency of his case. A debtor may also request deactivation of his account at any time.
What should I do if I move?
You or your attorney should file a notice of change of address with the court. The clerk’s office will make the necessary changes to both your bankruptcy case and your DeBN account. You will then receive an email from the BNC advising you that your DeBN account has been updated.
What should I do if I want to reactivate my DeBN account?
You must complete, sign and file an updated DeBN request form, check-marking the section to request reactivation of your account. Once the clerk’s office processes your request, you will receive an automated email from the BNC advising you that your DeBN account has been activated.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions about DeBN?
Please contact the Clerk’s Office if you have any questions about the DeBN program. Do not contact the BNC, or reply to emails you receive from the BNC. Those BNC email accounts are used for the sole purpose of sending emails, and the inboxes are not monitored.
I am an attorney. How do I request DeBN for the debtor?
Please file the request form electronically using the docket event in the Instructions page.