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Overview of DeBN

What is 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 BNC?

The BANKRUPTCY NOTICING CENTER (BNC) provides services to bankruptcy courts by sending court notices and orders to the parties by either mail or email.

What are Orders and Court-Generated Notices?

Court notices and orders refer to the documents prepared and filed by the bankruptcy court, which may include, but are 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 website to print and complete the DeBN request form.
  2. If you are represented by an attorney, ask your attorney to file the completed form with the court.
  3. If you are not represented by an attorney, you may file the completed form by delivering it to the Clerk's Office or by sending it to the Clerk's Office by mail, email, or fax.
  4. Upon receipt of your completed form, the court will create your account and submit your account information to BNC.
  5. BNC will send you a confirmation email that requires you to confirm receipt with a reply email. Activation of your account is not complete until BNC receives your reply email. Upon activation of your account, court orders and court-generated notices will be delivered to you via email as long as your name and address in the bankruptcy case docket is the same as the name and address on your DeBN account and the BNC has not experienced any email transmission failures in sending emails to you.
  6. It is very important that you check your Spam and Junk filters to make sure that you are able to receive emails from BNC.
  7. If you have questions, please email the Help Desk at ecfhelp@flmb.uscourts.gov.

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;
  •   Change your physical or 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 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 court served 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?

You DeBN account will be deactivated if:

  1.   The BNC disables it because the BNC was notified of an email delivery failure ("bounce-back");
  2.   You file a Debtor's Electronic Noticing Request (DeBN) 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.