They definitely don't HAVE to put your name in the newspaper when you file for bankruptcy but I suppose that it's technically possible... However unless you're a corporation or newsworthy individual I'd consider it highly unlikely.Bankruptcies will technically become part of the "public record" but really you can go to pacer.gov to see how hard it is to find information about someone (along with knowing what you're doing you'd first you'd have to register and even then the information isn't free).