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Overview of DeBN

What is DeBN?

Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing 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) is a third party vendor that provides services to the bankruptcy court by sending court notices and orders to the parties by either mail or email.

What are Court Notices and Orders?

Court notices and orders refer to the documents filed by the bankruptcy court, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Notice of Meeting of Creditors (provides the date, time, and location of the 341 meeting)
  • Notice of Requirement to File a Statement of Completion of Course in Personal Financial Management
  • Order of Discharge of Debtor

Who Will Serve Me via Email?

By enrolling in DeBN, a debtor consents to service of court notices and orders filed by the bankruptcy court. The BNC, on the bankruptcy court's behalf, prepares and sends the emails.

No other parties, such as creditors and trustees, are allowed to use the DeBN program to email debtors - all other parties continue to serve documents upon the debtor via U.S. mail.

Length of Enrollment in DeBN:

Once the DeBN account is created, the account continues to remain active, unless:

  • Debtor's account is automatically disabled due to an email transmission failure (email bounce-back);
  • Debtor files a request to deactivate the account. A debtor may file this request at any time; or
  • Debtor's mailing address on file with the court changes and it no longer matches the DeBN account mailing address.

As long as the DeBN account is active, all court notices and orders are emailed to the debtor by the BNC in any current/future bankruptcy or adversary case from any bankruptcy court district in which the debtor's name and address in that case match the name and address in the debtor's DeBN account, including cases where the debtor may be listed as a creditor.

How it Works:

Once the debtor files a DeBN request form and the clerk's office creates the DeBN account, the debtor begins receiving the respective notices and orders by email.

When the court files a notice or order and sends it to the BNC for service upon the debtor, the BNC emails the notice to the debtor at the end of the day. The court notice or order is emailed as a single PDF attachment, and a separate email is sent for each court notice or order that has been filed.

There is no limit to the number of times the debtor may view the PDF attachment, and the debtor is free to print the attachment, save it to his or her personal computer, or simply retain the email for viewing at any time.

If the PDF attachment exceeds 8 MB, the notice will be sent to the debtor by U.S. mail instead of email.

How to Request DeBN?

Signing up for DeBN is easy:

  • Complete and print the request form: Debtor's Electronic Noticing Request (DeBN) Form
  • File the completed form through the debtor's attorney. If no attorney, mail to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 110 East Court Ave., Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309 or deliver to the Clerk's office at the same address.
  • The court creates your account.

Activation of your account is now complete, and the BNC sends you a confirmation email. From this point forward, all future notices and orders filed by the court are delivered to you via email, as long as your name and mailing address in the bankruptcy case match your name and mailing address in your DeBN account exactly, and there are no email transmission failures.

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 or reactivate your account.