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Electronic Self Representation (eSR)

Warning: Because bankruptcy can have serious long-term financial and legal consequences, including loss of your property, individuals considering bankruptcy should hire an attorney and carefully consider all of your options before you file. Only an attorney can give you legal advice about what can happen as a result of filing for bankruptcy and what your options are. If you do file for bankruptcy, an attorney can help you fill out the forms properly and protect you, your family, your home, and your possessions.

Although the law allows you to represent yourself in bankruptcy Court, you should understand that many people find it difficult to represent themselves successfully. The rules are technical, and a mistake or inaction may harm you. If you file without an attorney, you are still responsible for knowing and following all of the legal requirements.

You should not file for bankruptcy if you are not eligible to file or if you do not intend to file the necessary documents.

Bankruptcy fraud is a serious crime; you could be fined and imprisoned if you commit fraud in your bankruptcy case. Making a false statement, concealing property, or obtaining money or property by fraud in connection with a bankruptcy case can result in fines up to $250,000, or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both. 18 U.S.C. §§ 152, 1341, 1519, and 3571.

Electronic Self-Representation, or eSR, is an online tool available in the Southern District of Ohio to help individuals prepare a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition package when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney. This tool is for individuals only--it may not be used by attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers and is not designed for non-individuals (e.g., business and other corporate entities).

Debtors who file using the Court’s eSR program are provided with a guided, step-by-step process for completion of the forms required to file bankruptcy. The program is accessible 24 hours a day and allows you at least 45 days to complete and submit the documentation necessary to file a Chapter 7 or 13 case. And although you must pay the required filing fee for a Chapter 7 or 13 case, there is no additional fee to use eSR and no software to download or purchase. Your personal information is accessible only to you using a unique login and password assigned to you.

How to Submit a Petition Package

Filing to delay or stop a foreclosure or due to an emergency? If you are filing bankruptcy to delay or stop a foreclosure action on your home (or for some other emergency purpose), please consider visiting the Clerk’s Office to open your case. The use of eSR to submit a bankruptcy petition may delay the filing of your case for several days until the Court receives the additional documents that are required to complete your filing, and an automatic stay is not in effect until a bankruptcy petition is filed and a case number is assigned.

Follow the guidance below to submit a petition package to the Court using the eSR portal.

Collection of Financial Documents

You will need to collect your financial documents before you begin. Use these checklists to ensure you have everything needed to file via eSR:

Note that the financial documents you must gather to complete the eSR form (e.g., bank statements and bills) should not be submitted to the Court. The only additional documentation needed to file your case is listed below under "How to Complete the Filing."

Creation of User Profile

After you have collected your documentation, visit the eSR portal to create a user profile, provide an email address which will serve as your login ID, and create a password for eSR.

Visit the eSR Portal

Completion of Forms

Using the financial documents you have collected, answer the questions about your property, income and debts. eSR will use those answers to prepare the petition package for you. Review and submit the petition package to the Court within eSR.

How to Complete The Filing

Your case is not opened when the petition package is submitted. Take the following steps to complete the filing process.

Completion of Additional Documentation

After your petition is submitted in the eSR portal, the Court will send you a confirmation email with links to the following documents:

These documents must be signed with an original handwritten signature. A copy of government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver's license, passport) is required.

Submission of Declaration

Documents should be submitted within 10 calendar days from receipt of the eSR confirmation email. You must deliver the additional documents to the Court in person or through the mail. Review the Court's locations here.

The Court will open the case when it receives a completed and signed Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing (Self-Represented Individual) (Form G-20).

Payment of Filing Fee

If you are applying to have your fee waived or paid in installments, complete the appropriate Official Form that was sent in your confirmation e-mail. Otherwise, if you intend to pay the filing fee in full at case opening, review payment options here.

Questions or Technical Issues?

Please review the Court's FAQ regarding eSR cases if you have additional questions. For technical assistance with eSR, please contact the Court. Please note that employees of the Court’s Clerk's Office cannot provide legal advice on how to complete the forms.