Search Flagstaff Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records for Flagstaff residents are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. Flagstaff has something unique among Arizona cities outside the major metros. It has a federal bankruptcy hearing location right in town. This means Flagstaff residents do not have to drive 145 miles to Phoenix for every court appearance. The Flagstaff hearing site at 123 North San Francisco Street hosts hearings only. All filings and record requests still go through Phoenix. You can search Flagstaff bankruptcy cases online any time through PACER. The court handles Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases for all of Coconino County and beyond.

Flagstaff Bankruptcy Hearing Location

Flagstaff has a federal bankruptcy hearing location at 123 North San Francisco Street in the AWD Building. This is a hearing site only. It does not accept filings or have a clerk's office. But for Flagstaff residents who need to appear in court, this location saves a long trip to Phoenix.

The Flagstaff hearing location page on the court website has details about when hearings are scheduled and how the site operates.

The 341 meeting of creditors, which every bankruptcy debtor must attend, can be held in Flagstaff. Other hearings on motions or contested matters may also take place here. Check with the court to confirm where your specific hearing will be held.

Note: While hearings happen locally, all Flagstaff bankruptcy records are stored in Phoenix and accessed through PACER online.

Flagstaff Bankruptcy Court Information

The main U.S. Bankruptcy Court office is in Phoenix at 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. This is where you file bankruptcy papers and request certified copies. The drive from Flagstaff takes about two and a half hours each way. The long distance makes online access through PACER especially important for Flagstaff residents.

The City of Flagstaff official website has local government information but no bankruptcy court services. Bankruptcy is strictly a federal matter.

Call the Phoenix bankruptcy court at 602-682-4000 or toll-free at 800-556-9230 with questions about Flagstaff bankruptcy records. Court staff can help you find cases and explain procedures. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Search Flagstaff Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the best way for Flagstaff residents to access bankruptcy records. The 145-mile trip to Phoenix makes online searching far more practical than visiting in person. PACER works 24 hours a day from any computer or phone.

Start by making a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. After you register, log in and access the Arizona bankruptcy court at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov. Search by name, case number, or Social Security number.

PACER shows the full case docket with every document filed. You can download PDFs of petitions, schedules, court orders, and discharge papers. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly fees are $30 or less, you pay nothing.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Arizona website has forms, fee schedules, and filing guides for Flagstaff residents.

Free Phone Lookup for Flagstaff Cases

The Voice Case Information System provides free basic case info by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. The automated system works around the clock and does not require a PACER account.

VCIS tells you the case number, filing date, debtor name, attorney, trustee, and current status. It includes key dates like the 341 meeting. This is useful when you need quick information without pulling the full case file.

Note: VCIS provides basic data only and cannot retrieve documents.

Flagstaff and Coconino County Bankruptcy

Flagstaff is the county seat of Coconino County, the second largest county by area in the United States. The county covers over 18,000 square miles but has a population of only about 145,000. Most residents live in Flagstaff.

All Coconino County bankruptcy cases are filed through the Phoenix Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The Flagstaff hearing location makes it easier for local residents to attend court dates without the long drive. This is especially helpful for 341 meetings, which all debtors must attend in person.

State courts play no role in bankruptcy. Coconino County Superior Court handles other types of cases but not bankruptcy. The federal court is your only source for Flagstaff bankruptcy records.

Types of Flagstaff Bankruptcy Records

Flagstaff bankruptcy records cover all case types filed by local residents. Chapter 7 is the most common. It wipes out most debts through liquidation. A trustee reviews your assets and may sell some to pay creditors. Arizona exemptions protect your home, car, and personal items up to certain limits. Most Chapter 7 cases end in three to four months.

Chapter 13 works for people with regular income. You keep your property and pay back some or all debts over three to five years. The monthly payment depends on income and total debt. Some Flagstaff homeowners use Chapter 13 to catch up on mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure.

Chapter 11 is mainly for businesses that want to reorganize while staying open. These cases are complex with many filings. Chapter 12 serves family farmers and fishermen but is rare in the Flagstaff area.

Every Flagstaff bankruptcy file includes the petition that starts the case, schedules listing assets and debts, the statement of financial affairs, proofs of claim from creditors, court orders, and the discharge order at the end.

Flagstaff Bankruptcy Records Fees

Viewing Flagstaff bankruptcy records through PACER costs $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00. If your quarterly fees are $30 or less, everything is waived. Light users pay nothing.

At the Phoenix courthouse, paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 per document. Mail requests add a $34.00 search fee per name. Pay by cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. You can also pay through Pay.gov online.

Free access exists. The Phoenix courthouse has public terminals for PACER searches without fees, but the 145-mile drive makes this impractical for most Flagstaff residents. The VCIS phone line at 1-866-222-8029 is free for basic case information.

Legal Assistance for Flagstaff Residents

Community Legal Services helps low-income residents in northern Arizona. Call 800-852-9075 to see if you qualify for free help. They can explain bankruptcy options and assist with paperwork.

The Phoenix courthouse Self-Help Center at 602-682-4007 has volunteer attorneys who answer questions. The Self-Help Center page explains available services. Phone and online help may be available for Flagstaff residents who cannot travel to Phoenix.

The court offers an Electronic Self-Representation tool for simple Chapter 7 cases. It guides you through the forms step by step. You answer questions and the system fills in the paperwork. This is useful for Flagstaff residents filing without an attorney.

DNA People's Legal Services at 833-362-1102 helps Navajo Nation residents in the Flagstaff area. The Coconino County Law Library may have some legal research resources. Bankruptcy attorneys in Flagstaff often offer free initial consultations.

Filing Bankruptcy from Flagstaff

Before filing bankruptcy, Flagstaff residents must complete credit counseling. The course takes about an hour and can be done online. The U.S. Trustee Program has a list of approved counseling agencies.

Next, fill out the bankruptcy petition and schedules. These forms need detailed financial information. List every creditor and every asset you own. Many Flagstaff residents hire an attorney to prepare the forms correctly, especially given the distance to the Phoenix court.

You can file electronically through CM/ECF. This saves the long drive to Phoenix. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 is $313. Payment plans and fee waivers are available based on income.

After filing, an automatic stay stops most creditors from contacting you. They cannot call, sue, or garnish wages. You will attend a 341 meeting of creditors, which can take place at the Flagstaff hearing location. Most Chapter 7 cases wrap up in about four months with a discharge order.

Other Arizona Cities

Flagstaff is the only qualifying city in northern Arizona. Residents of other northern Arizona communities also file at the Phoenix court with hearings available in Flagstaff. Click below to find information about other Arizona cities.