Phoenix Bankruptcy Records

Phoenix bankruptcy records are kept at the main federal court office downtown. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona has its primary location right here in Phoenix. This makes record access easy for city residents. You can search cases through PACER online or visit the courthouse in person. The court offers free public terminals. Self-Help Center staff can guide you through the search process. Phoenix handles more bankruptcy filings than any other Arizona city due to its size. All Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 cases filed by Phoenix residents go through this federal court. The records are public under federal law.

Phoenix Bankruptcy Court Main Office

The main U.S. Bankruptcy Court office sits at 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101 in downtown Phoenix. This is the primary location for all Arizona bankruptcy filings. Chief Judge Eddward P. Ballinger Jr. presides over major cases here. The Clerk of Court is Khadijia White-Thomas. Her staff handles all filings and record requests.

You can reach the Phoenix court by phone at 602-682-4000. A toll-free line is also available at 800-556-9230. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Closed on federal holidays. Walk in during business hours to file papers or search records. The building has security screening at the entrance so plan extra time for that.

The Phoenix bankruptcy court page has details on hours, forms, and services at this location.

Free public access terminals let you search PACER without any fees. Staff can show you how to use them. This is the best option if you want to avoid online charges. Just bring a photo ID and know the name or case number you need.

Where Phoenix Residents File Bankruptcy

Phoenix is in Maricopa County. All bankruptcy filings go to the Phoenix division of the federal court. State courts have no role in bankruptcy. County courts do not handle these cases either. The federal system handles everything.

Residents file at the downtown courthouse or through the CM/ECF electronic system. Lawyers must file online. Pro se filers can use paper or electronic filing. The court prefers electronic submissions when possible. This speeds up the process and makes records available faster.

About 60% of Phoenix bankruptcy cases are Chapter 7. This type wipes out most unsecured debt quickly. Chapter 13 is the second most common. It lets filers keep property while paying debts over time. Chapter 11 filings are less frequent but happen for larger cases. Each type creates a public record you can search.

Note: Phoenix residents can also attend hearings at other Arizona locations if needed, but the main office handles most local cases.

Phoenix Bankruptcy Records Resources

The City of Phoenix official website provides links to consumer protection and financial resources for residents facing debt issues.

Phoenix has many resources for people dealing with bankruptcy. Community Legal Services at 602-258-3434 offers free help to low-income residents. They can explain the filing process and review your options. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 matches people with attorneys who work pro bono.

The Maricopa County Law Library at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/ has self-help materials. You can research bankruptcy law and find sample forms there. The library has branches around the valley for easier access. Staff can point you to useful resources but cannot give legal advice.

Phoenix Bankruptcy Self-Help Center

The Self-Help Center in the Phoenix courthouse helps people file without a lawyer. Volunteer attorneys staff the center. They can answer basic questions about forms and procedures. Call 602-682-4007 to learn about hours and services.

The center offers the Electronic Self-Representation tool. This is called eSR. It walks you through a Chapter 7 filing step by step. The tool asks questions and fills in the right forms based on your answers. It works best for simple cases with no assets. The court built this tool to help pro se filers avoid common mistakes.

You can also call the Bankruptcy Help Line at 866-553-0893. Spanish speakers can get help in their language. This free service answers general questions about the bankruptcy process. The Self-Help Center page has more details.

Search Phoenix Bankruptcy Filings Online

PACER is the main way to search Phoenix bankruptcy records from home. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to set up a free account. After you log in, access Arizona cases at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov. Search by party name, case number, or Social Security number.

PACER charges $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00 no matter the length. If you use less than $30 in a quarter, the court waives all fees. Most basic searches cost nothing. You can view full docket sheets and download any document in the case file. Results show filing dates, case status, assigned judge, and trustee information.

The Voice Case Information System gives free info by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. This automated line tells you case numbers, filing dates, and status. It works 24 hours a day. Use it for quick lookups when you do not need the actual documents.

Note: Phoenix courthouse terminals provide free PACER access during business hours.

Phoenix Bankruptcy Record Fees

Fees apply when copying or certifying Phoenix bankruptcy records. Online PACER access costs $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Use the free courthouse terminals to avoid these fees entirely. Paper copies at the clerk window cost $0.50 per page.

Certified copies cost $12.00 per document. You might need certified copies for court proceedings or official business. The filing fee schedule lists all current costs. Pay with a cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Online payments go through Pay.gov. The court does not take cash.

If you mail a request, the search fee is $34.00 per name or number. Include the case details, your contact info, and payment. Add a stamped return envelope. Response time varies but usually takes one to two weeks. In-person requests get faster results.

Phoenix Bankruptcy Case Documents

Every Phoenix bankruptcy case file contains standard documents. The petition starts the case. It lists the debtor name, address, and chapter type. Schedules detail all assets and debts. The statement of financial affairs shows income and recent transactions.

Creditors file proofs of claim. These state what each creditor is owed. The trustee reviews claims and handles asset distribution. Court orders document each decision the judge makes. The discharge order at the end releases the debtor from covered debts. All these records are public and searchable through PACER or at the courthouse.

Phoenix bankruptcy records stay available indefinitely. The federal court keeps all case files permanently. You can search cases going back decades. Older records may require special requests but the court can retrieve them. Current cases show up in the system within a day of filing.

Nearby Cities for Bankruptcy Records

These major cities near Phoenix also have bankruptcy record information available: