Search Miami Beach Bankruptcy Records

Miami Beach bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. Located on a barrier island in Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach residents file cases at the federal courthouse in downtown Miami just across the bay. These are public records under federal law. You can search them online through PACER, call the VCIS line for quick case details, or visit the Miami courthouse in person. The Miami-Dade County Clerk also maintains civil records that may tie to local bankruptcy filings.

Miami Beach Court and County Details

Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. All bankruptcy filings from Miami Beach go to the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The courthouse is at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150, Miami, FL 33128. Call (305) 714-1800 for general court questions. Getting from Miami Beach to the courthouse takes about 20 minutes across the causeway, depending on traffic.

The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court is one of the busiest federal bankruptcy courts in the nation. It has three divisions: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Miami Beach falls under the Miami Division because it is part of Miami-Dade County. Cases are assigned to judges in that division, and hearings take place at the Miami courthouse. Local rules, forms, and calendars are on the court website.

Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you need to live in the district or have property there to file. Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County, within the Southern District. Filing goes through the Miami Division.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court

Juan Fernandez-Barquin serves as the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. Bankruptcy itself is federal, but the county clerk handles civil records that often connect to bankruptcy cases. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and collection suits filed in Miami-Dade County all go through the clerk's office. If creditors have taken local legal action against you, or if county court cases are tied to debts in your bankruptcy, the clerk has those files.

Reach the Miami-Dade County Clerk at (305) 275-1155. The Miami-Dade County Clerk website has search tools for civil cases, recorded documents, and court dockets. These are not bankruptcy records, but they can show you related matters. A foreclosure case in Miami-Dade County, for example, might be paused by a bankruptcy filing, and both sets of records help tell the full story.

Below is the Miami Beach city government website, which offers information about local services and community resources.

The Miami Beach city site can help you find local programs and contacts that may assist residents facing financial challenges.

Search Miami Beach Bankruptcy Cases

Three methods let you search for bankruptcy records from Miami Beach. PACER gives the most detail. VCIS by phone is free and simple. And you can go to the Miami courthouse to check files yourself.

PACER covers all federal courts, including the Southern District of Florida. Set up a free account, then search by name, case number, or Social Security number. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your quarterly total stays under $30, no charges apply. Bankruptcy case files are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Anyone can access them.

The Voice Case Information System (VCIS) is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The automated system tells you if a case exists, the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. No account is required. VCIS is ideal when you just need a quick answer on whether a Miami Beach resident has a case on file.

You can visit the Miami Division courthouse at 301 North Miami Avenue for in-person access. Public terminals let you search and view case files at no charge. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you find specific documents or filings. The courthouse is a short drive from Miami Beach over the MacArthur or Julia Tuttle Causeway.

Filing Bankruptcy in Miami Beach

Most Miami Beach residents file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file and gets rid of most unsecured debts, though you might have to surrender some property. Chapter 13 costs $313 and sets up a repayment plan lasting three to five years. The court can let you pay the fee in installments if you show financial hardship. Some Chapter 7 filers can get a full fee waiver.

Before filing, you must complete credit counseling through an approved agency. The U.S. Department of Justice publishes the approved list for the Southern District. This has to be done within 180 days before your petition date. Gather your pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a full inventory of debts and assets. File all forms with the Miami Division. Official forms are on the U.S. Courts website.

After filing, an automatic stay takes hold under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Collection calls stop. Lawsuits are paused. Wage garnishments end. Foreclosures halt. The court sets a meeting of creditors roughly 30 to 45 days later. Miami Beach residents attend these at the Miami courthouse or sometimes by phone.

Miami Beach Legal Resources

Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents across the state. They can advise Miami Beach residents on whether filing makes sense and assist with the forms. Legal Services of Greater Miami also covers the area and helps with debt-related civil matters.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service for Miami-Dade County. A small fee gets you a meeting with a local bankruptcy attorney. Many Miami Beach and Miami lawyers offer free initial consultations as well. If you want to file without a lawyer, the Southern District court posts pro se resources and guides on its website. Filing pro se means representing yourself through the entire process.

A Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727 removes personal liability for most debts. Some debts will not go away. Child support, alimony, student loans, and certain tax debts survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523. Getting advice from a lawyer helps you understand what your Miami Beach case can and cannot do for you.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities are near Miami Beach. Each page has local bankruptcy court details and resources.