Find Maricopa County Bankruptcy Records
Maricopa County bankruptcy records are housed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in downtown Phoenix. This is the main office for all of Arizona. The court sits at 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101. Maricopa County is Arizona's largest by population with over 4.6 million residents. The county includes Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, and many other cities. Because the main federal bankruptcy court is here, Maricopa County residents have the easiest access in the state. You can walk into the courthouse and use free public computers to search bankruptcy records. The Self-Help Center offers guidance from volunteer attorneys. Phone help is available at 602-682-4000 during weekday business hours.
Maricopa County Quick Facts
Phoenix Bankruptcy Court for Maricopa County
The Phoenix bankruptcy court is the main hub for all Arizona filings. Maricopa County residents can visit in person for the best access to bankruptcy records. The office opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Chief Judge Eddward P. Ballinger Jr. leads the court. Clerk of Court Khadijia White-Thomas manages daily operations.
You can reach the Phoenix court at 602-682-4000. The toll-free line is 800-556-9230. The address is 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003. When you visit, bring a photo ID for security screening. Staff at the front desk can help you find Maricopa County bankruptcy records.
The Maricopa County official website handles county government matters, while bankruptcy is federal jurisdiction.
The Phoenix bankruptcy court page on the federal court website shows hours, directions, and contact details for the main office.
Free public access computers sit in the courthouse lobby. You can search PACER without paying fees when you use these terminals. This is the cheapest way to view Maricopa County bankruptcy records if you live nearby.
Maricopa County Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER lets you search Maricopa County bankruptcy records from anywhere. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to get started. Then log into ecf.azb.uscourts.gov for Arizona cases. You can search by party name, case number, or tax ID.
Each search shows case basics and a full docket. Click any document to view it as a PDF. PACER charges $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Fees are waived if quarterly use stays at $30 or less. Most people doing simple searches pay nothing.
The Voice Case Information System at 1-866-222-8029 gives free basic case info by phone. It runs 24 hours a day. You can get case numbers, filing dates, and status without a PACER account.
Maricopa County Bankruptcy Self-Help Center
The Phoenix courthouse has a Self-Help Center for people without lawyers. It is free. Volunteer attorneys offer advice on filing and forms. The center helps Maricopa County residents understand the bankruptcy process. Call 602-682-4007 to reach the center by phone.
The court offers an Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) tool for Chapter 7 cases. It walks you through each step. You answer questions, and the tool fills in forms. This works best for simple cases with no assets to sell. The Self-Help Center page explains all available resources.
Community Legal Services offers free help to low-income Maricopa County residents. Call 602-258-3434 in Phoenix. The Volunteer Lawyers Program at 602-506-7948 connects people with pro bono attorneys for bankruptcy matters.
Maricopa County Legal Research Resources
The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center helps people research legal issues. While it focuses on state law, the library has resources about federal bankruptcy too. Librarians can point you toward helpful materials.
The library has branches across the county. You do not need a lawyer to use these resources. Staff can help you find forms and understand court procedures. The main branch is in the downtown Phoenix courthouse complex.
Note: Federal bankruptcy law appears in Title 11 of the U.S. Code, which you can read online for free.
Bankruptcy Filings in Maricopa County
Maricopa County sees more bankruptcy filings than any other Arizona county. Most are Chapter 7 cases. These clear debts through liquidation. A trustee sells property that is not exempt. Cases typically close in three to four months. The records show what the debtor owned and what creditors received.
Chapter 13 cases are also common. They let people keep their homes and cars while paying back debts over three to five years. These files grow as debtors make monthly payments. You can track payment progress in PACER.
Chapter 11 cases involve business reorganization. Large companies and individuals with high debt use this option. The records can run hundreds of pages. Chapter 12 is rare and applies only to family farmers.
Every Maricopa County bankruptcy case includes key documents:
- The petition that starts the case
- Schedules listing assets and liabilities
- Statement of financial affairs
- Proofs of claim from creditors
- Court orders and discharge
Maricopa County Bankruptcy Record Fees
PACER access costs $0.10 per page. Each document caps at $3.00. If you use less than $30 per quarter, fees are waived. Free public terminals at the Phoenix courthouse avoid all PACER fees.
Paper copies from the clerk cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 each. Mail requests cost $34.00 per name searched. Pay by cashier's check or money order to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Pay.gov handles online payments. No cash is accepted.
The court fee schedule lists current costs for all services.
Maricopa County Bankruptcy Records by City
Maricopa County includes 13 cities with populations over 50,000. All use the Phoenix bankruptcy court. Click below for city-specific bankruptcy record information.
Nearby Counties for Bankruptcy Records
Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. All use the same federal bankruptcy court system.