Scottsdale Bankruptcy Records Lookup

Scottsdale bankruptcy records are maintained at the federal court in Phoenix. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona handles all bankruptcy filings for Scottsdale residents. The Phoenix courthouse is about 12 miles from Scottsdale. You can search these records online through PACER from anywhere with internet access. This federal database contains all Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases. Scottsdale has over 247,000 residents and is known for its upscale communities. All bankruptcy filings become public records under federal law. Anyone can search them regardless of their reason for looking.

Scottsdale Bankruptcy Filing Location

Scottsdale is in Maricopa County. All bankruptcy filings go to the Phoenix division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The courthouse is at 230 North 1st Avenue in downtown Phoenix. This is the main federal bankruptcy office for the entire District of Arizona.

The drive from Scottsdale to Phoenix takes about 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and where in Scottsdale you start. The court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call 602-682-4000 for questions. You can file in person during business hours or use CM/ECF online.

Attorneys must file electronically. Pro se filers have a choice between paper and electronic submission. The court prefers electronic filing because it speeds up the process. Documents become available for searching faster. Most Scottsdale residents use PACER for record searches rather than driving downtown.

Scottsdale Bankruptcy Records Resources

The City of Scottsdale official website connects residents with local services and community resources.

Community Legal Services at 602-258-3434 helps low-income Scottsdale residents with bankruptcy questions. They can explain your options and help with forms. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 matches people with attorneys who work pro bono on bankruptcy matters.

The Maricopa County Law Library at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/ has self-help resources. Find sample bankruptcy petitions and schedules. Staff can direct you to research materials. They cannot give legal advice but help locate useful information. The Phoenix courthouse Self-Help Center has volunteer attorneys available.

Note: Call the Bankruptcy Help Line at 866-553-0893 for free general assistance in English or Spanish.

Search Scottsdale Bankruptcy Cases Online

PACER is the main tool for searching Scottsdale bankruptcy records from home. Register for free at pacer.uscourts.gov. After login, access Arizona cases at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov. Search by party name, case number, or tax ID.

Results show the complete docket with every filing in the case. View documents in PDF format. Download whatever you need. Fees run $0.10 per page with a $3.00 maximum per document. If your quarterly usage stays under $30, the court waives all charges. Many Scottsdale residents pay nothing for basic searches.

The Voice Case Information System provides free access by phone. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time day or night. The automated system gives you case numbers, filing dates, and current status. Use it when you just need quick facts without viewing the actual documents.

Free public terminals at the Phoenix courthouse allow PACER searches without fees. Bring photo ID for security. Staff help with the system if needed.

Scottsdale Bankruptcy Case Types

Chapter 7 is the most filed type by Scottsdale residents. It eliminates most unsecured debts through liquidation. A trustee may sell non-exempt property to pay creditors. Cases typically close within three to four months. Records show what assets existed and which creditors received payment.

Chapter 13 lets people keep their property while repaying debts over three to five years. The case file includes the repayment plan and proof of each payment made. Scottsdale residents with regular income often use this to catch up on mortgages or keep their homes. These cases create larger files because they last longer.

Chapter 11 is for bigger cases. Businesses or individuals with substantial debts use it to restructure obligations. Creditors vote on the proposed plan. Court orders document every step. These filings can run hundreds of pages. Chapter 12 applies to family farmers but is rare in urban Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Bankruptcy Record Fees

Fees apply when accessing Scottsdale bankruptcy records. PACER charges $0.10 per page online. Each document caps at $3.00 regardless of length. Quarterly totals under $30 get waived automatically. Basic searches often cost nothing.

Paper copies at the Phoenix courthouse cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $12.00 per document. The court fee schedule shows all current charges. Pay by cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Use Pay.gov for online payments. Cash is not accepted.

Mail requests cost $34.00 per name or number searched. Include case details, your contact information, and payment with a stamped return envelope. Allow one to two weeks for processing. In-person requests at Phoenix are faster.

Scottsdale Bankruptcy Document Contents

Every Scottsdale bankruptcy file contains core documents. The petition starts the case. It lists the debtor and declares which chapter is being filed. Schedules detail all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The statement of financial affairs covers recent transactions and other background.

Creditors file proofs of claim stating amounts owed. The trustee reviews claims and distributes assets according to bankruptcy rules. Court orders record each judicial decision. The discharge order at case end releases the debtor from covered debts. All documents are public and searchable through PACER or at the courthouse.

Records stay available indefinitely. The federal court keeps all files permanently. You can search cases going back many years. Current filings appear in the system within a day or two. Full Social Security numbers and account details are redacted for privacy protection.

Note: Sealed records are rare but require court permission to access.

Nearby Cities for Bankruptcy Records

These major cities near Scottsdale also have bankruptcy record information: