Pima County Bankruptcy Records

Pima County bankruptcy records are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. Residents of Tucson, Marana, and all other Pima County communities file their bankruptcy cases at the federal court. The Tucson Division office at 38 South Scott Avenue provides direct local access to case files. This is one of only three federal bankruptcy court offices in all of Arizona. You can search Pima County bankruptcy records through PACER online or visit the Tucson courthouse to use free public access terminals. The court handles Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 11 business reorganization, and Chapter 13 debt adjustment cases. Over one million people live in Pima County, making it the second most populous county in the state. Southern Arizona Legal Aid offers free help to residents who need guidance on bankruptcy matters.

Tucson Bankruptcy Court for Pima County

The Tucson Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court sits in the James A. Walsh Federal Courthouse. It is the only federal bankruptcy court office in southern Arizona outside the Phoenix metro area. Pima County residents benefit from having direct local access instead of traveling 115 miles north to Phoenix. The courthouse address is 38 South Scott Avenue, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85701. Call 520-202-7500 for questions about Pima County bankruptcy filings. The toll-free line is 800-556-9230.

Court hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Arrive early if you plan to file documents in person. Bring a government-issued photo ID for security screening at the entrance. The building has metal detectors and bag checks. Staff at the clerk window can help you locate Pima County bankruptcy records and explain how to pull case documents.

The Tucson court location page shows address details and contact numbers for Pima County filers.

The Tucson office handles all bankruptcy matters for Pima County. You can file new cases, check dockets, view documents, and attend hearings here. Judges rotate between Phoenix and Tucson to hear cases. A Self-Help Center in Room 100 provides free guidance to people filing on their own. Volunteer attorneys staff the center on certain days.

Search Pima County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the fastest way to find Pima County bankruptcy records. The system runs 24 hours a day. You can search from any computer or phone. A free PACER account takes just a few minutes to set up at pacer.uscourts.gov. Once registered, log in and go to the Arizona Bankruptcy Court database at ecf.azb.uscourts.gov.

Search by name, case number, or tax ID. The results show all matching cases filed in Arizona. For Pima County cases filed at the Tucson office, you will see a Tucson division code. Each case record includes the filing date, chapter type, debtor name, attorney information, and current status. Click any docket entry to view the document. PDFs download instantly.

PACER charges $0.10 per page. A $3.00 cap applies to each document. If your total fees stay at $30 or less in a quarter, the court waives all charges. Light users pay nothing. Heavy users still benefit from the document cap.

Note: Visit the Tucson courthouse for free access using public terminals that waive all PACER fees.

Pima County Government Resources

Pima County government does not handle bankruptcy cases. All bankruptcy matters go through federal court. However, the county offers resources that may help residents facing financial hardship. The Pima County official website lists social services and assistance programs.

The Pima County Law Library provides legal research tools for self-represented litigants. You can find bankruptcy code sections, court rules, and sample forms. The library sits inside the Pima County Superior Court building at 110 West Congress Street. Staff can point you to resources even though they cannot give legal advice. Hours vary, so call ahead before your visit.

The county clerk records office handles many document types. Bankruptcy is not one of them. Do not go to the county recorder for bankruptcy records. These are federal court documents. You must use PACER or the Tucson bankruptcy court office.

Free Legal Help for Pima County Bankruptcy

Southern Arizona Legal Aid serves Pima County residents who need help with debt and bankruptcy matters. Call 520-623-9465 in Tucson or the toll-free line at 800-248-6789. SALA focuses on people with low income who cannot afford a private attorney. They can explain your options and help fill out forms. Some clients qualify for full representation.

Step Up to Justice is another nonprofit that helps Pima County residents. They connect people with volunteer attorneys for civil legal matters including debt issues. The bankruptcy court Self-Help Center in Room 100 of the Tucson courthouse also provides free help. Volunteer lawyers answer questions and review forms on scheduled days.

The federal Bankruptcy Help Line is free to call. Dial 866-553-0893 for general guidance on bankruptcy matters. Spanish speakers can get assistance too. This hotline is a starting point for people who are unsure about their options.

You can also try the Pima County Bar Association lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a bankruptcy attorney who offers a low-cost initial consultation. This helps if you need more than basic guidance but are not sure you can afford full representation.

Pima County Bankruptcy Case Contents

Every Pima County bankruptcy file contains standard documents. The petition starts the case. It lists the debtor's name, address, and the chapter filed. Schedules A through J follow. These list all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The statement of financial affairs gives more background on recent transactions and legal issues.

Creditors file proofs of claim. These documents state how much the debtor owes and why. You will see claims from banks, credit card companies, medical providers, and others. The trustee assigned to the case files reports on asset review and any distribution to creditors.

Court orders appear throughout the docket. The most important is the discharge order. This releases the debtor from personal liability on qualifying debts. A dismissed case shows the case closed without a discharge. This may happen if the debtor failed to complete requirements or asked to drop the case.

Pima County Bankruptcy Record Fees

PACER fees are the same for all Arizona counties. You pay $0.10 per page viewed online. The cap is $3.00 per document. If you use $30 or less in a quarter, all fees are waived. Most people doing basic Pima County bankruptcy searches pay nothing.

Paper copies from the clerk cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy costs $12.00. If you mail a search request, the fee is $34.00 per name or case number. Pay by cashier's check or money order made out to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. You can also pay through the Pay.gov website. Cash is not accepted.

Filing a bankruptcy case itself has separate fees. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738 for most filers. These are filing fees, not record search fees. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may ask the court for a waiver or payment plan.

Note: The Tucson courthouse has free public access terminals where you can search Pima County bankruptcy records without any PACER charges.

How to Get Pima County Bankruptcy Records

You have five ways to access Pima County bankruptcy records. Online through PACER is the most common. It works any time from anywhere. In person at the Tucson courthouse gives you free access and staff help. By phone through the Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029 provides basic case details for free 24 hours a day.

Mail requests go to the Tucson Division at 38 South Scott Avenue, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85701. Include the case name, case number, specific documents you need, your contact information, and payment. Allow two to three weeks for processing. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing.

The court does not take email requests for copies. However, you can email questions to the clerk's office. Technical support for the CM/ECF filing system is available at azbml_all_dqa@azb.uscourts.gov. PACER questions go to the national help desk at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.

Bankruptcy Records for Pima County Bankruptcy Records by City

All cities in Pima County use the federal bankruptcy court. There is no city-level bankruptcy system. Tucson residents file at the local Tucson office. Marana residents also file at Tucson. Smaller communities like Oro Valley, Sahuarita, and South Tucson use the same federal court.

Find bankruptcy record information for major Pima County cities:

The Tucson Division serves all of Pima County. Distance is not a factor for most residents. Even those in Ajo or the Tohono O'odham Nation areas file at the same Tucson location. PACER access makes it easy to search records without traveling.

Nearby County Bankruptcy Records

Pima County borders four other Arizona counties. Each uses the same federal bankruptcy court system. Santa Cruz County to the south files at Tucson. Pinal County to the north can file at Phoenix or Tucson. Cochise County to the east files at Tucson as well.

Browse bankruptcy records for counties near Pima: