Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Records
Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale Division of this court serves all of Broward County, and the federal courthouse sits right in the city. With close to 191,000 residents, Fort Lauderdale is the county seat and the hub for all bankruptcy filings in the area. You can pull up case records through PACER, call the VCIS phone line, or go to the courthouse in person. The Broward County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records that may connect to bankruptcy cases filed here.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Broward County Clerk and Court Info
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. While bankruptcy is a federal matter, the county clerk keeps civil records that can tie into bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosure filings, and debt collection suits all go through this office. If a creditor has filed against you in Broward County, or if there are local court cases linked to a bankruptcy, the clerk's records will show them.
You can reach the Broward County Clerk at (954) 831-6565. The main office is at 201 S.E. 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. The Broward County Clerk website has an online search tool for local court records. These are not federal bankruptcy files, but they help fill in the picture. Foreclosure cases, small claims debt suits, and judgment liens are all on file here.
The Broward County Clerk portal is shown below. You can visit browardclerk.org to search civil case records tied to Fort Lauderdale residents.
From the clerk site you can look up civil cases, recorded documents, and court calendars for all Broward County divisions including Fort Lauderdale.
| County Clerk | Brenda D. Forman |
|---|---|
| Clerk Address | 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Courthouse
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida has its Fort Lauderdale Division at 299 East Broward Boulevard, Room 112. This is the federal courthouse where all Broward County bankruptcy cases are filed, heard, and stored. The phone number is (954) 769-5700. The Southern District court website has local rules, forms, and filing guides for Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale is one of three main divisions in the Southern District. The others are in Miami and West Palm Beach. Your division depends on where you live. Since Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, all Broward residents file here. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. The courthouse is in downtown Fort Lauderdale, close to the county government complex.
Hearings for Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy cases take place at this courthouse. Parking is limited in the area, so plan ahead. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. Public access terminals are on site for viewing case files at no cost.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida |
|---|---|
| Division | Fort Lauderdale |
| Address | 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 112, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 769-5700 |
| Website | flsb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Records
There are a few ways to find bankruptcy records for Fort Lauderdale residents. PACER is the fastest. The VCIS phone line works for quick checks. And you can go to the courthouse in person if you need to see full case files.
PACER is the federal system for court records. It covers all districts, including the Southern District of Florida. You need a free account to use it. Once logged in, search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your total stays under $30 in a quarter, there is no charge at all. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them.
The VCIS line is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The automated system can tell you if a case exists, what chapter was filed, the case number, and the current status. You do not need an account. This is a fast way to check on a Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy case when you just need basic facts.
You can also visit the courthouse at 299 East Broward Boulevard. Public terminals let you view Fort Lauderdale case files for free. Staff at the clerk window can help you find what you need and make copies of documents from the case file. Certified copies have an extra fee.
Filing for Bankruptcy in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale residents file bankruptcy at the Southern District courthouse on Broward Boulevard. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common types for individuals. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can ask the court to let you pay in installments if you cannot cover the full amount up front. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, filers must submit detailed financial documents with the petition.
Before filing, you must take a credit counseling course from an approved provider. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Southern District. This is not optional. You need the certificate before the court will accept your case. After filing, you also take a financial management course before you can get a discharge.
The automatic stay takes effect the moment you file. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, creditors must stop all collection activity. No more calls, lawsuits, or wage garnishments while the stay is in place. The court sets a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. Fort Lauderdale cases are heard at the local courthouse. You can find all official forms at the U.S. Courts forms page.
Chapter 7 cases in Fort Lauderdale usually wrap up in three to four months. Chapter 13 plans run three to five years. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases you from personal liability on most debts. Some debts like child support, student loans, and recent taxes survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Fort Lauderdale Legal Resources
Several groups can help Fort Lauderdale residents with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income individuals across the state. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is the right step and help with forms. The Broward County Legal Aid office also serves Fort Lauderdale residents who qualify.
The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service. For a small fee, you get a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area. If you want to file on your own, the Southern District court website has pro se resources and guides. Pro se means you handle the case yourself without a lawyer. The court has self-help pages, sample forms, and filing checklists.
The Broward County Law Library in the main courthouse has materials on bankruptcy law. Staff can help you find forms and point you to the right resources. For general questions, call the bankruptcy court at (954) 769-5700. The clerk staff can explain procedures but cannot give legal advice.
Broward County Bankruptcy Records
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, and all bankruptcy filings go through the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. The county handles cases for over 30 cities and towns. For a full look at the county court system, fees, related civil records, and other resources, visit the Broward County bankruptcy records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Fort Lauderdale and also file bankruptcy through the Southern District of Florida. Each has its own page with local court details and resources.