Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) Bankruptcy Petition Preparation System

Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences.  It is a complicated legal procedure.  Every case is unique, and specific questions about bankruptcy should be directed to a lawyer.   The Bankruptcy Court is not permitted to provide legal advice.  Self-represented filers are expected to follow and abide by the rules that govern the practice of law in the United States Federal Courts. Self-represented filers should be familiar with the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Local Rules of this court. 

eSR Features

What is Electronic Self-Representation (eSR)?

This system is designed for use by self-represented debtors to prepare their voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy case petition, schedules, and statements electronically.  The system allows you to electronically submit the forms to the Clerk's Office. When presented with the filing fee, signature pages, and the required forms, the Clerk's Office staff can then electroncially open the case.

Who can use eSR?

The person filing for bankruptcy must be an individual filing a chapter 7 case with either consumer or business debts.  The person filing for bankruptcy also needs to have resided or has had a residence, principal place of business, or principal assets in the District of New Mexico for 180 days before the filing of the bankruptcy case or for a longer part of such 180 days than in any other District.

There is no additional cost to submit a bankruptcy package using eSR, outside of the regular filing fee.  It guides you step-by-step through the process and performs all calculations.

What should I do before I use eSR?

  • Complete the credit counseling course from an approved credit counseling agency.

  • Check to see that you meet the minimum system requirements:

    • Internet connection
    • Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher)
    • Pop-up blocker must be disabled
    • Browser requirements - It is recommended that you use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari.
    • Printer

  • Review the resources under Filing for Bankruptcy on our website

Getting Started

Our Self-Help Center is available on Mondays through Fridays between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM MST or by appointment to assist self represented filers. The telephone number is 505-415-7999, option 1.  You may also contact us via online chat. It could take anywhere from three to six hours (may be done at one time or several sessions) to enter your information.

  • A valid email address is required to receive notification from the Court.

  • The First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Generation and Telephone Number must be the name of the person filing the bankruptcy case.

  • Ensure you provide a telephone number so that the Clerk's Office can contact you by phone in the event that your bankruptcy petition package has a problem and is returned unfiled.  If a phone number is not provided, you will be contacted via email.

  • It is recommended that eSR be used to submit a complete (petition, schedules, and statements) bankruptcy package.  Answer the series of questions in the order presented by eSR.

Submitting a Bankruptcy Package

Important Disclosure:  As part of submitting your petition to this court electronically, the court collects your IP address.  Your computer uses IP addresses every time you are connected to the Internet.  Your IP address is a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer so that data (such as the Web pages you request) can be sent to you.  We collect this data as a security measure to protect against fraud and unauthorized access to government computers.

Electronic Self-Representation Program

Upon your submission of the Chapter 7 eSR Bankruptcy Package, the Clerk will send you an email confirmation.  The confirmation contains instructions for the submission of the additional items identified below that are required to complete your bankruptcy filing.  It is important to understand that your bankruptcy package is not filed unless and until the court receives the required additional items.

Additional Items to be Completed and Filed with an eSR Petition

To complete the filing process, you must submit the additional items listed below within 10 days. 

  • If Official Form 101A - Initial Statement About an Eviction Judgment Against You is part of the bankruptcy petition package, you are required to serve a copy of this form on your landlord when you complete the instructions for filing for bankruptcy.