Find Gainesville Bankruptcy Records

Gainesville bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The Gainesville Division handles all filings from Alachua County. Gainesville is the county seat with about 149,000 residents, and the federal courthouse is right in town. You can search bankruptcy records online through PACER, call the VCIS phone line for quick case info, or walk into the Gainesville courthouse. The Alachua County Clerk of Court also holds local civil records that sometimes connect to bankruptcy matters.

Alachua County Clerk and Court Info

Gainesville is in Alachua County. The clerk is J.K. "Jess" Irby. The clerk's office is at 201 East University Avenue in Gainesville. Bankruptcy cases are federal, so the county clerk does not handle them directly. But the clerk keeps civil records that often relate to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, and foreclosure filings all go through the Alachua County system. If a Gainesville resident has local court matters tied to a bankruptcy, the clerk's records will show them.

Call the Alachua County Clerk at (352) 374-3609 for help. The Alachua County Clerk website has tools to search civil case records and recorded documents online. You can find liens, court filings, and judgment records from your computer. These are county records, not federal bankruptcy files, but they fill in gaps around a Gainesville case.

Below is the Alachua County Clerk of Court website at alachuacounty.us, where you can search local court records for Gainesville residents.

From the clerk site you can look up civil cases, recorded liens, and court schedules for Alachua County including Gainesville.

Gainesville Bankruptcy Courthouse

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida has its Gainesville Division at 401 SE First Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. This is where all Alachua County bankruptcy cases are filed and heard. The general phone number is (850) 521-5001. The Northern District court website has forms, local rules, and filing instructions.

The Northern District covers a large area of north Florida. The Gainesville Division specifically serves Alachua County and several surrounding counties. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. Gainesville residents file at this courthouse. Other divisions in the Northern District are in Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Panama City.

The Gainesville courthouse is in the downtown area, a short walk from the Alachua County courthouse. Public access terminals let you search case files for free. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The clerk window can help with copies and basic questions about court procedures.

How to Search Gainesville Bankruptcy Records

Three methods work for finding bankruptcy records tied to Gainesville. PACER provides the most detail. VCIS is a free phone service for basic info. And the courthouse has terminals for in-person use.

PACER covers all federal courts including the Northern District of Florida. Sign up for a free account, then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Bills under $30 per quarter are waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case records are public. Anyone can look them up, and you do not need a reason to search.

Call 1-866-222-8029 to reach VCIS. The line runs 24 hours. It gives you case numbers, filing dates, chapter types, and status updates. No account is needed. VCIS is a good choice when you want to check if a Gainesville resident has filed without sitting at a computer.

At the Gainesville courthouse on SE First Avenue, public terminals are free. You can search and view documents from any case filed in the Northern District. Staff can help you locate specific Gainesville records and make copies if you need hard copies for your files.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Gainesville

Gainesville residents file at the Northern District courthouse on SE First Avenue. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. The court can approve a payment plan for the filing fee if you show financial hardship. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 521, you must turn in all required financial documents with your petition.

Credit counseling comes first. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps a list of approved agencies for the Northern District. You need the certificate before the court will take your case. After filing, a second course on money management is required before you can get a discharge. Both courses can be done online or by phone.

When you file, the automatic stay starts right away. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 362, creditors must halt all collection actions. No more phone calls, lawsuits, garnishments, or foreclosure moves while the stay is in effect. The court schedules a meeting of creditors roughly 30 to 45 days out. All official petition forms are at the U.S. Courts forms page.

A typical Chapter 7 case in Gainesville wraps up in about three to four months. Chapter 13 cases last three to five years under the repayment plan. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, the discharge eliminates personal liability for qualifying debts. Certain obligations survive, though. Child support, recent taxes, and most student loans cannot be discharged under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Gainesville Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Gainesville. They can review your situation and advise on whether bankruptcy is the right path. The Three Rivers Legal Services office in Gainesville also serves Alachua County residents with civil legal needs.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service. You pay a small fee for a first meeting with a local bankruptcy attorney. Gainesville has several bankruptcy lawyers who handle cases in the Northern District. If you file on your own, the court website has pro se guides and sample forms. The Eighth Judicial Circuit Law Library in the Alachua County courthouse has legal materials and staff who can help you find what you need.

For general questions about procedures, call the bankruptcy court at (850) 521-5001. Staff can explain the steps but cannot give legal advice. The University of Florida Levin College of Law also runs legal clinics that sometimes help Gainesville residents with bankruptcy-related matters.

Alachua County Bankruptcy Records

Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County. All bankruptcy filings go through the Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division. For a full look at the county court system, local civil records, fees, and other resources, visit the Alachua County page.

View Alachua County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Gainesville. Each has its own page with local court details and bankruptcy filing resources.