Bankruptcy

1st you need the SSN and then you can order a credit report.

Or check with the federal bankruptcy court in the District the person lives in.

The fact that someone declared bankrupty is public (in the US at least). It's a matter of public record just like a marrige or divorce is.

In some places a list of those who have filed is published in local papers as the cases come up. In other areas it isn't "advertised" so much.

If someone really wants to know they can go to the county courthouse and ask to see the records. It will also be on their credit report so it will come up on any credit check for 10 or so years afterwards.

If you know the state and county, or general area, you can check the PACER system to lookup anythng about any bankruptcy filing.

www.uscourts.gov

You need to sign up, but if you can retrieve about 100 pages of info each year at no cost to you.