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DeBN FAQs

What is DeBN?

Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN) is a free and voluntary service allowing 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 BNC?

The Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) sends court notices and orders to the parties by either mail or email on behalf of bankruptcy courts.

What are Orders and Court-Generated Notices?

Court notices and orders refer to the documents prepared and filed by the bankruptcy court including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Notice of Meeting of Creditors
  • Notice of Deficient Filing
  • Notice of Requirement to Complete Course in Financial Management
  • Order Confirming Chapter 13 Plan
  • Order Discharging Debtor
  • Order on Motion for Relief from Stay
  • Order Dismissing Debtor(s)

How Do I Request DeBN?

  1. Go to the court’s DeBN web page and complete a request form.
  2. Your attorney files the completed form with the court.  If you do not have an attorney, mail your completed and signed form to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 113 St. Joseph Street Mobile, AL 36602.
  3. A DeBN administrator creates your account.
  4. You will receive a confirmation email from the BNC.  All future orders and court-generated notices 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.

Note:  If both debtors in a joint case request enrollment in DeBN, each debtor must file a separate request form.

Keep The Court Advised By Filing An Updated Request Form If You:

  • Change your email 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 your account.

Is DeBN Free?

Yes, DeBN is free.  There is no cost to view or save an order or court-generated notice.

Will DeBN Emails Contain More Than One Document?

No.  Each order and court-generated notice is sent to you as a single PDF attachment to the email.  A separate email is sent for each order and court-generated notice.

How Many Times Can I View A Document?

There is no limit to the number of times a PDF attachment can be viewed.  PDF attachments can be printed, saved to a computer, or retained in an email for viewing at any time.

What If A Document Is Too Big To Email?

If a PDF exceeds 8 MB of information, it is too large to send to you by email.  In this instance, it will be sent by U.S. Mail to your mailing address.  Your DeBN account remains active.

Who Can Send Emails To Me?

When you request DeBN, you consent to service by email of ONLY orders and court-generated notices.  The BNC will send emails to you on behalf of the court.

All other parties, including creditors, attorneys, and trustees, must serve documents upon you according to court rules (by U.S. mail, overnight mail, or personal delivery).

How Long Am I Enrolled In DeBN?

You are enrolled in DeBN as long as your account is active.

This means you will receive electronic notice of orders and court-generated notices in any current or future bankruptcy case from any bankruptcy court in which your name and address in that case match the name and address of your DeBN account.  This includes cases in which you are a creditor, plaintiff, or defendant.

Can My Account Be Deactivated?

Your DeBN account will be deactivated if:

  1. The BNC disables it because the BNC was notified of undeliverable email;
  2. You file a DeBN request form with a check-mark in the box requesting that your account be deactivated; or
  3. Your mailing address on file with the court changes and it no longer matches the DeBN account mailing address.

What Are The Advantages Of DeBN?

  • DeBN is FREE – There is no change to register or to view orders and court-generated notices sent to you by email.
  • DeBN is FAST – Receive orders and court-generated notices the same day they are filed, and the same day your attorney receives them.
  • DeBN is CONVENIENT – Access orders and court-generated notices anywhere you have internet access.

When can I enroll in DeBN?

A debtor can enroll in DeBN at any time while his case is pending.  A debtor may also request deactivation of his account at any time.

When are emails sent?

Emails will be sent by the BNC in the evening on the same day a notice or order in your case is filed by the court.

Will I receive all documents via email?

No. Only orders and court-generated notices sent to the BNC for service upon you will be delivered via email.  All other parties, such as the trustee and creditors, will continue to serve documents upon you either via U.S. mail or in person pursuant to court rules.

Can I request receipt of notices both via email and U.S. mail?

No. A party only has the option to receive notices either by email or U.S. mail.

Can others see my email address?

Your email address will not be shown on the caption of the case docket, and your DeBN request form will not be visible to the public for viewing.  However, the BNC certificate of mailing that is filed in the case will reflect your email address if the order or court-generated notice was emailed to you.  A certificate of mailing must include the party’s name and the address where it was served.

I accidentally deleted an email.  Can the notice be resent to me?

Neither the court nor the BNC can resend notices.  If you accidentally deleted a notice you should contact your attorney, or you may contact the court for further directions on how to obtain another copy of the notice.

I filed jointly with my spouse.  Do we both have to request DeBN?

No. Both joint debtors do not have to enroll in DeBN.  The joint debtor enrolled in DeBN will receive notices from the court via email, and the other debtor not enrolled in DeBN will continue to receive notices via U.S. mail.

I filed jointly with my spouse.  Can we both use the same email address?

Yes. A husband and wife can use the same email address.  Each of you will have your own DeBN account, and separate emails will be sent to each of you at whatever email address was used to register for DeBN.

What should I do if I change my email address?

You should immediately file with the court, either on your own or through your attorney, an updated DeBN request form.  Once the clerk's office has processed your request, you will receive an email from the BNC at both your old and new email addresses advising you that your DeBN account has been updated.

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 email from the BNC advising you that your DeBN account has been activated.

Why did I stop receiving my notices via email?

There are several reasons why this may have occurred, including:

  1. If your name and address in the case do not match your DeBN account, then the order or notice will be delivered to you via U.S. mail.  If you recently filed a change of address with the court and did not receive an email from the BNC advising you that your DeBN account was updated, please contact the clerk’s office for assistance.
  2. Your DeBN account may have been disabled due to an undelivered email.  If this occurred, you must file an updated request form if you wish to reactivate your DeBN account.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions about DeBN?

Please contact the clerk's office at (251) 441-5391 if you have any questions about the DeBN program.  Do not contact BNC or reply to emails you receive from BNC.  Those BNC email accounts are used for the sole purpose of sending emails, and the inboxes are not monitored.