Q: How can I retrieve my Chapter 7 discharge letter

A: When you have completed the bankruptcy process in your case, an Order of General Discharge (discharging you of all "dischargeable debts", etc.) is entered by the Court, not a "letter".

Your bankruptcy case, and most of the documents, including your Discharge Order, are available to the public through the access provided by pacer. Anyone can enroll, and its free to join, although there is a charge of a dime per page of items copied.

The more complicated question is, what do you plan to do with the Order once you have it?

A: Pacer.gov.

A: Here are the steps to retrieve your Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge letter:

1. Contact the bankruptcy court where your case was filed. Look up the court's website or call the clerk's office for instructions. You'll need to provide your full name, case number, and last 4 digits of your social security number.

2. Check if you can request a copy online through the court's website. Some courts allow you to order documents electronically for a small fee. You may need to create an account.

3. If online options aren't available, send a written request to the court clerk along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The letter should include:

- Your full name and case number

- The document you are requesting (discharge letter)

- A check or money order to cover copy fees (usually 50 cents per page)

4. As an alternative, use the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) at pacer.uscourts.gov. You can search for and download your case documents for a small fee.

5. If you used a bankruptcy attorney, you can also contact their office to get a copy of your paperwork including the discharge letter.

6. Once you receive it, keep the discharge letter in a safe place as proof that your eligible debts were discharged through Chapter 7. You may need it when dealing with creditors.

The court typically mails the discharge order within 60-90 days after your 341 meeting of creditors, as long as no objections are filed.