Using eSR

1. Where can I access eSR?

   eSR can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection by visiting the Court's eSR page and clicking on the eSR logo, or click here. The system can also be accessed from the public access terminals located in the Clerk's Office.

2. How to login and use eSR?

   To use eSR, create a user profile, unique login, and password. Next, answer questions about your property, income and debts.

3. Is there a cost to use eSR?

   There is no cost to use eSR. Pay only the chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy filing fee. Only cash, U. S. Postal Service money orders and cashier's checks from an acceptable financial institution are acceptable forms of payment of fees by individual debtors. No one should charge you for using eSR.

4. What are the benefits of using eSR?

   eSR is free to use.  You pay only the chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy filing fee. eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that allows you up to 45 days to complete your petition and certain other required documents. Your personal information is only accessible to you using a unique login and password assigned to you. eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any Internet-enabled computer. There is no software to download or purchase.

5. How many days do I have to work on my eSR petition after starting?

   From the first day you begin working in eSR, you have up to 45 days to complete the eSR petition and any other required documents. If you do not submit the petition to the bankruptcy court for filing within 45 days, whatever you have done will be deleted from the system. If you do not think you will finish within 45 days, please print out a copy of your work for future reference.

6. How many days do I have to submit the Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing Form, additional forms and bankruptcy filing fee?

   The Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing Form, additional forms, and bankruptcy filing fee (or Chapter 7 Application for Waiver or Application to Pay the Filing Fee Installments, which requires an initial $90 payment) are due within 10 days of the date of the email confirming that your eSR documents have been received.

7. I have more creditors than the fields in the eSR schedules allow. What should I do?

   If you reach the limit of fields allowed in the schedules, you may type additional creditors on paper copies of the pertinent schedule or schedules, and submit those paper copies with your Declaration.

8. What happens after I submit my eSR chapter 7 or 13 petition?

   After submitting your petition, you should receive an automatically generated email confirming the electronic receipt of the bankruptcy petition submitted to the Court; The bankruptcy petition will NOT be officially filed and a case number will NOT be assigned until the items listed on the confirmation email have been received by the Bankruptcy Court; The items are due within 10 days of the date of the submission of the petition (which will be reflected on the confirmation email). Even if you do not receive the email, you will only have ten days to submit the required documents.

9. What additional forms need to be completed after submitting my petition via eSR?

   After submitting the petition, you must complete and sign the eSR Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing Form in addition to the Statement About Your Social Security Numbers, and the Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived or our court's Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments. You must then hand-deliver or mail those documents to the Clerk’s Office with: (1) a photocopy of your government-issued photo identification such as your driver’s license or passport; (2) one of the following: the filing fee; or in a Chapter 7, an application for waiver of the filing fee; or an application to pay the filing fee in installments (which requires an initial payment of $90); (3) an approved certificate of credit counseling obtained within the 180-day period ending on the date of filing of the petition; and if applicable, (4) the Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You (Form 101A) with a rent deposit check made payable to the landlord. For additional information on court approved credit counseling agencies click here. Be sure you have a certificate of credit counseling in hand (confirming that you obtained the required prepetition credit counseling) before you hand deliver or mail your remaining case opening documents.

10. My computer does not allow me to open the attachments in the confirmation email. Where else can I get the forms attached?

    Refer to the links in question number 9.

11. I did not receive a confirmation email. What information is on it?

    The email contains important information and steps needed to be taken to complete the official filing process of your chapter 7 or 13 petition. The eSR petition is NOT filed until you submit the documents mentioned on the email and the Clerk's office processes those documents. If you did not receive the confirmation email, please refer to the steps in question number 9 to complete your submission. If you need assistance or have any questions, you may contact the Court by calling 202-354-3281.

12. I submitted my petition but realized I need to make some changes before filing. How can I do that?

    If you need to make changes to the petition but have already submitted it, you will need to contact the Court to make the petition available to you again via eSR. You may request to send the petition back to eSR by contacting the Court at 202-354-3281.

13. Can I submit the petition without providing all of the documents that can be completed using the eSR software?

    Yes.

    Please note: If you choose to submit your List of Creditors with the petition, you must complete schedules D, E/F, G and H (the eSR software automatically compiles the list from these schedules). Otherwise, you will be required to submit a separate Mailing Matrix Coversheet and List of Creditors in paper form within 7 days.

    Documents other than the petition, that the eSR software is set up to prepare, must be filed within 14 days after filing the petition. But after the petition is processed and deemed filed, you cannot use eSR to submit any documents you did not already provide. You will have to file those documents in paper form (or have an attorney file them in electronic form).

14. Are there any documents I will need to file that the eSR software does not cover?

    Yes.

    Within 14 days after the petition is treated as filed, you must file a LBR 1007-5 Declaration of Debtor Regarding Payment Advices Coversheet (Local Official Form 9) and any applicable payment advices.

    In Chapter 13, you must file a Chapter 13 Plan (Local Official Form No. 14) within 14 days after the petition is treated as filed.

    You must complete a Financial Management Course from an approved provider and submit Official Form 423.

    • in Chapter 7, within 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors; and

    • in Chapter 13, no later than the date when the last payment is made by you under the plan (or the date on which you file a motion for a so-called hardship discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 1328(b)).