A claim is the creditor's right to receive payment on a debt owed by the debtor that arose on or before the date of the bankruptcy filing. See 11 U.S.C. §101 (5). A claim may be secured or unsecured.

A "proof of claim" is a form used by the creditor to indicate the amount of the debt owed by the debtor on the date of the bankruptcy filing. The creditor must file the form with the clerk where the bankruptcy case was filed.

The "Proof of Claim" (Official Bankruptcy Form B410), is available at the following link:

http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms