Search Clearwater Bankruptcy Records

Clearwater bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. Located in Pinellas County on the Gulf Coast, Clearwater has a population of about 117,000 and sees a steady number of bankruptcy filings. These cases are public records under federal law. You can access them online through PACER, by phone using the VCIS line, or in person at the Tampa federal courthouse. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court also keeps related civil records that may connect to local bankruptcy cases.

Clearwater Bankruptcy Court and County

Clearwater is in Pinellas County and serves as the county seat. All bankruptcy filings from Clearwater go to the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division covers Pinellas County, so Clearwater residents file their cases there. The federal courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. You can call the court at (813) 301-5162 for general questions about filing or case status.

The Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court runs divisions in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Clearwater falls under the Tampa Division. That means hearings take place in Tampa, which is about a 25-minute drive across the bay from Clearwater. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you need to live in the district or have property there to file. Clearwater is firmly in the Middle District.

The court website has local rules, forms, and guides for filing. All filings can be done electronically through CM/ECF for attorneys or on paper for pro se filers.

Pinellas County Clerk of Court

The Pinellas County Clerk of Court is Ken Burke. The main office is at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. While bankruptcy is a federal matter, the county clerk keeps civil records that often tie to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt suits from Clearwater all pass through this office.

You can reach the clerk at (727) 464-7000. The Pinellas County Clerk website has tools to search civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets online. These are not bankruptcy files. But they can show related matters like a foreclosure that may have been halted by a bankruptcy filing in Clearwater.

The screenshot below shows the Clearwater city government website, which provides local resources for Clearwater residents at myclearwater.com.

From this site you can find community service contacts, local government offices, and other information that may help Clearwater residents going through financial difficulty.

Clearwater Bankruptcy Courthouse

Clearwater does not have its own federal bankruptcy courthouse. Residents attend hearings at the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse in Tampa. The drive from Clearwater to the Tampa courthouse takes about 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic over the Courtney Campbell Causeway or Howard Frankland Bridge.

The Tampa courthouse handles all bankruptcy matters for Pinellas County. You file your petition, attend your meeting of creditors, and go to any hearings at this location. Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card to all court visits.

Search Clearwater Bankruptcy Records Online

You have three options to search Clearwater bankruptcy records. PACER is the fastest. VCIS is free by phone. And the Tampa courthouse has public access terminals.

PACER is the federal court electronic records system. It covers all districts, including the Middle District of Florida. A free account is all you need to start searching. Look up cases by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Fees under $30 per quarter are waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, all bankruptcy records are public. You do not need a reason to search them.

VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 at any hour. The automated line provides the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. It is free and needs no account. This is the best option when you just want a quick check on a Clearwater case.

You can also go to the Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue. Public terminals there let you search and view Clearwater bankruptcy case files at no cost. Staff at the clerk's window can help you locate documents. Bring a photo ID with you.

Filing Bankruptcy in Clearwater

Clearwater residents file at the Tampa Division. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common types for individuals. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. It wipes out most unsecured debts but may mean giving up certain property. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a payment plan over three to five years. If you can't pay the fee all at once, the court can approve installment payments.

You must complete credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved providers for the Middle District of Florida. This step must happen within 180 days before your filing date. Gather your pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a complete list of debts and assets before you start the paperwork.

When your case is filed, an automatic stay takes effect under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops all collection actions against you. Creditors cannot call, sue, garnish wages, or move forward with foreclosure while the stay is active. The court schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. You can find all the official forms on the U.S. Courts website.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge releases you from personal liability on most debts. Some debts survive, though. Child support, alimony, student loans, and certain tax debts cannot be wiped out under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Clearwater Bankruptcy Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents across the state, including those in Clearwater. They advise on whether bankruptcy is the right option and help with paperwork. Community Law Program in the Tampa Bay area also serves Pinellas County and can assist with bankruptcy-related civil matters.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service that covers Clearwater. Pay a small fee for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. Many lawyers in the Tampa Bay area offer free first meetings for Clearwater residents. If you plan to file on your own, the Middle District court has pro se resources and step-by-step guides on its website.

Florida has strong homestead protections that let you keep your primary residence in many cases. An attorney can help you understand how these exemptions apply to your Clearwater home and other assets. Even a single consultation can help you make a more informed decision about whether and how to file.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Clearwater. Each has its own page with local bankruptcy court details and resources for that area.