Must I receive a bankruptcy judgment first before I can have my file checked out of the federal archives? Or can I start the process of bankruptcy and change my mind a long the way? Because bankruptcy is overseen by federal courts, bankruptcy files are kept in the federal archives. Before I apply for credit can I have my attorney request to have my file ''checked-out'' from the federal archives??

A bankruptcy will hit your credit report and the "federal archives" (as you call them) as soon as it's filed. If the case is later dismissed, it will be so indicated on the record, but the record will still be there. A complete Chapter 7 will remain on your credit report for 10 years, a completed Chapter 13 for 7. All bankruptcies, whether dismissed or not, will be in the "federal archives" forever. There is no way to delete that record.