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eSR

To file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Case in the Eastern District of Oklahoma without an attorney you should read these instructions to the end.  When you are ready, click on the eSR picture at the bottom of this page to begin preparing your bankruptcy petition for submission for filing with the court.


What is eSR?  

  • eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy petition when they have decided to file bankruptcy without an attorney.

Who can use eSR?

  • Individuals who wish to file a bankruptcy petition and who live in the Eastern District of Oklahoma must use eSR to file without an attorney. To determine if you can use eSR, consult the Oklahoma map to determine your district, based on the county of residence.
  • Important Note: eSR is not to be used by attorneys or bankruptcy petition preparers. eSR is not to be used for business or corporate bankruptcy filings, Chapter 12 family farmers or Chapter 11 Debtors.  eSR is only available for chapter 7 and chapter 13 filings.
  • You must know what Chapter you wish to file before you begin.

Why use eSR?

  • There is no cost to use eSRPay only the filing fee for a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 see the fee schedule here
  • eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that allows you up to forty-five (45) days to complete the package before you submit to the court.  However, your case is NOT filed until you complete all information, submit to the court and receive a case number back from the court. This is important to remember.
  • Your personal information is only accessible to you using a unique login and password assigned to you.
  • eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any internet-enabled computer.
  • There is no software to download or purchase.

eSR Computer Requirements

  • A computer or iPad with an Internet connection.
  • Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher).
  • Pop-up blocker must be disabled.
  • Printer to print out your completed copy for your records.
  • Browser requirements - It is recommended that you use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Chrome or Safari. 
  • Note: eSR will NOT work from a smart phone.

How do I begin?

  • After watching the videos and reading all the information on the website and this page, collect all of your financial documents before you begin.
  • Obtain credit counseling from a court-approved credit counseling agency.  The law requires credit counseling be completed by both spouses before filing for bankruptcy. Save and print your Certificate(s) of Credit Counseling.
  • After reading all of the instructions on this page, click on the eSR picture below and create a user profile, unique login, and password.
  • Read the Notice Required by 11 U.S.C. Sec 342(b) for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy and consent to receive electronic notices. By consenting to receiving electronic notices you must comply with all notices sent to you by email.  If you change your email, home address or telephone number, you are required to notify the court.  Failure to notify the court may result in your case being dismissed.
  • Answer all questions about your property, income and debts.  (eSR) Electronic Self-Representation Bankruptcy Petition Preparation System will prepare all your forms for you as you are answering the questions. Remember to print a copy of your package to keep for your records. Once you submit your package to the court, you will receive an Email Confirmation from the court that your package has been submitted but not filed and will contain additional information with links concerning documents you need to submit outside of the initial petition package and mail to the court within seven (7) days. 
  • Make your Payment - To visit our Pay.gov Online Payment Page, Click Here.     To make payment Click Here.  To pay for a new case type in “NEW CASE” in case number.   Your case will be dismissed if the payment is not made or an Application to Pay Installments is not submitted. If you cannot make the full payment  and desire to pay the filing fee in installments you must pay at least $75.00 on line and mail to the court Form 103A Application by an Individual to pay in installments.   To make remaining installment payments on our website home page and click on the Pay.gov Online Payment form . This link can also be found on the home page of our website www.okeb.uscourts.gov.    Be sure to type in your case number when you submit monthly installment payments.
  • If you cannot pay the fee and qualify for a fee waiver you should fill out and mail Form 103B Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived (Chapter 7 cases only).  To see if you qualify for a fee waiver review the:  Poverty Guidelines.

After you submit your completed package:

  • You will receive a Confirmation Email when your bankruptcy petition package has been submitted to the court but not filed.  An automatic stay (injunction) is NOT in effect until a bankruptcy case number is issued by the bankruptcy court.
  • Your petition package will be filed by the Clerk’s Office and you will receive a Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing with a case number.  When you receive the Notice of Bankruptcy Case filing with a case number your case has been officially filed.  However, you still have more documents to complete and mail to the Clerk’s Office.
  • You will have seven (7) days to complete and submit the additional required documents stated within the Confirmation Email. Your case will be dismissed if the required documents are not received on time.
    • The following forms will be provided to you via hyperlink in the Confirmation Email: 
      • Signed Declaration form provided to you in the email link
      • Signed Pro Se Filing Disclosure form provided to you in an email link
      • Signed Statement About Your Social Security Numbers and a copy of your Government-issued Photo ID (e.g. driver's license, passport)
      • Copy of Certificate of credit counseling for each debtor
      • See instructions for “eSR Help.”
      • Read the requirements below for “After your case is filed.”
      • See instructions for “Emergency Filings

 

When you are ready click on the eSR picture to begin:

eSR Help

  • For technical and procedural assistance on eSR, please contact the Clerk's Office at 918-549-7200.  Alternatively, you may contact us via email.    The Clerk’s Office cannot give Legal Advice.  *** Inactive Packages not completed and submitted to the bankruptcy court 45 days after your last login will be removed from the system. ***

After Your case is filed:

  • The following documents are required to be filed and cannot be completed within eSR.   Each have their own time frame to be filed under the Bankruptcy Rules.  The forms are located on our website via the links below.
  • Debtor Education - A second education course, called the financial management course,  must be completed after the date your Chapter 7 case is opened and the certification must be filed with court along with the Certification About a Financial Management Course (Form B423) This is to be filed before 60 days from the date first set for the Section 341 meeting of Creditors in a Chapter 7.   Within 45 days after completion of plan payments and before the last payment is made in a Chapter 13.   This must be filed before a discharge can be granted. 
  • Chapter 13 Plan - For Chapter 13 cases, the Chapter 13 plan must be filed on our local plan form located at our Local Chapter 13 Plan Information Page.  This is due within 14 days of the date of filing.
  • Affidavit and Disclosure of Domestic Support Obligations  - Local Form 4002-1(B)   THE AFFIDAVIT SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE TRUSTEE AND NOT FILED WITH THE COURT  This must be received by the Trustee within 14 days after filing the Schedules.
  • Federal income tax return (a copy or transcript of return) for the most recent tax year ending before filing.   THE COPIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE TRUSTEE AND NOT FILED WITH THE COURT.  This must be received by the Trustee 7 days prior to the date set for the Section 341 Meeting of creditors    Local Rule 4002-1(E)  Tax return privacy information
  • Chapter 13 Certification of Compliance and Motion for Entry of Discharge Chapter 13 individual only This must be filed in Chapter 13 cases only when the last payment is made under the Chapter 13 plan before the discharge can be granted.   (link to Financial Management Courses) Local Form 4004-1(A)(13)
  • Statement of Intention for Individual Filing Under Chapter  7 – This must be filed in Chapter 7  individual cases.  It lists the assets and liability of debtors secured property of the estate or personal property subject to an unexpired lease.  Form 108   This is due with the petition or within 30 days thereafter or by the first date set for the Section 341 meeting of creditors, whichever is earlier.
  •  Pre-Confirmation Certification of Domestic Support Obligations and Tax Returns Chapter 13 individual only Local Form 3015-2(A) This is due within 14 days before the date set for confirmation hearing.
  • Amendments – If you need to make a change in any of the documents that you filed or the court notifies you that more information is required you will be required to file an Amendment to your document.   Amendments must comply with the Local Rules, they must be verified true and correct with original signatures from both debtors,  must be mailed to the court, and may require a fee.   Forms for Amendments can be found on our website under FORMS >National Forms or Local Forms.   Please see:  Local Rule 1009-1  https://www.okeb.uscourts.gov/local-rules-interactive-version#Rule%201009-1
  • Adding additional creditors – to add creditors that were not included in the original filing Please see: Local Rule https://www.okeb.uscourts.gov/local-rules-interactive-version#Rule%201007-1  You may submit additional creditors online on the court’s website under the tab Filing Without an Attorney.  Submit Creditors for Matrix to Court