Is bankruptcy a public record?

Yes, bankruptcy is a public record. In Washington, as in all other states, a bankruptcy filing is a matter of public record. This means that anyone who searches online can view your bankruptcy filing and learn your details. The information in your filing may include a list of your creditors, the total amount of debt that you have, and any assets that you have. When you file for bankruptcy, your information is added to an index of bankruptcies that can be searched by name, date, or other factors. This index is searchable by anyone who knows your name and has access to it. Furthermore, bankruptcies are published in local newspapers, which can make your information available to a wider audience. In Washington, all bankruptcy papers filed in the last 8-10 years are public records. This information will stay on public record until the information is officially sealed or expunged. In most cases, it may take at least two years for the information to be sealed or expunged. So, it is important to remember that your bankruptcy filing will be public record for a long time.

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