Bradford County Bankruptcy Records

Bradford County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Starke serves as the county seat, and all federal bankruptcy cases from Bradford County go to the Jacksonville courthouse. You can pull up these records online through PACER, use the free VCIS phone service for quick case checks, or visit the court in person. The Bradford County Clerk of Court maintains local civil case files and recorded documents that sometimes overlap with bankruptcy matters, such as lien filings and debt collection cases in the county.

Bradford County Clerk of Court

Ray Norman is the Bradford County Clerk of Court. The office is at 945 North Temple Ave. in Starke. Bankruptcy filings are federal cases, so they go to Jacksonville, but the local clerk handles civil records that can be relevant during a bankruptcy. Judgments, liens, foreclosure actions, and debt-related lawsuits all get recorded through this office. If a creditor has taken action in Bradford County courts, those records show up here.

Call the Bradford County Clerk at (904) 966-6280 during business hours, Monday through Friday. The staff can help you search local court records and guide you toward the right place for federal filings. The Bradford County Clerk website lets you search recorded documents and civil cases online. These are not the same as federal bankruptcy case files, but they do show related matters. Foreclosures, garnishment orders, and judgment liens filed in Bradford County often come up when someone is going through bankruptcy or has recently been discharged.

Below is a screenshot of the Bradford County Clerk of Court website, which you can access at bradfordclerk.com.

The clerk site lets you look up case records, court calendars, and contact details for Bradford County court services.

Bankruptcy Court for Bradford County

All Bradford County bankruptcy cases go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. The court is at 300 North Hogan Street, Suite 3-150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 301-6490 for general court information. The Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court website has local rules, filing procedures, forms, and hearing schedules.

Federal bankruptcy courts operate separately from Florida state courts. The Bradford County Clerk does not accept or process bankruptcy petitions. Every filing goes directly to the federal court. A trustee is appointed to review each case and manage the debtor's estate. Bradford County residents attend hearings at the Jacksonville courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file. Bradford County is part of the Middle District, so its residents file through Jacksonville.

Starke is roughly 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville. Bradford County residents should plan for travel time when they have court hearings or need to visit the courthouse in person.

How to Search Bradford County Records

There are three solid ways to search for bankruptcy records in Bradford County. PACER is the main online tool. VCIS gives you free phone access. And the Jacksonville courthouse has terminals you can use in person.

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It covers all federal courts in the country, including the Middle District of Florida. To search Bradford County bankruptcy records, create a free PACER account. Once logged in, you can search by name, case number, or Social Security number. The system charges $0.10 per page for documents you open, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your charges stay under $30 per quarter, there is no bill. Simple searches usually cost very little. Bankruptcy case files are public records under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, so anyone can look them up.

VCIS is a free phone service you can call any time. Dial 1-866-222-8029 to check on Bradford County bankruptcy cases. The automated system gives you basic case information: whether a case exists, the filing date, case number, chapter type, and current status. No account needed. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VCIS works best when you just need to confirm a case or get a case number fast.

You can also go to the courthouse in Jacksonville at 300 North Hogan Street. Public terminals are available during court hours for free bankruptcy record searches. Bring a photo ID. Staff at the clerk's office can help you locate documents and make copies of Bradford County case files you need.

Filing for Bankruptcy in Bradford County

Bradford County residents who are considering bankruptcy typically choose between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts but could mean giving up some assets. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan that runs three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can request to pay in installments if the full fee is a burden.

Before filing, you need to complete credit counseling with an approved agency. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved counseling agencies for the Middle District. This is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. You also have to gather your financial paperwork: tax returns from the last two years, recent pay stubs, bank account statements, and detailed lists of all debts and assets. Everything gets filed with the Jacksonville Division.

After you file, an automatic stay takes effect under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This halts most collection efforts immediately. Creditors must stop calling, suing, garnishing wages, and foreclosing while the stay is in place. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days later. All official bankruptcy forms are available at the U.S. Courts forms page.

Bradford County Legal Help

Bankruptcy can be confusing. Several organizations assist Bradford County residents with the process. Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income individuals across the state, including Bradford County. They can advise you on whether filing makes sense and help with the paperwork.

The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service available to Bradford County residents. A small fee gets you an initial consultation with a bankruptcy attorney who practices in the area. If you plan to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court website offers pro se guides and sample forms. Filing pro se means you represent yourself. The court tries to make the process manageable for people who cannot afford legal counsel in Bradford County. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability on qualifying debts. Getting this right is critical.

Three Rivers Legal Services also covers Bradford County. They handle civil legal problems for eligible residents, including debt issues and foreclosure defense.

Remember that certain debts cannot be wiped out. Student loans, child support, alimony, and some tax obligations survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Cities in Bradford County

Bradford County is a small, rural county. Starke is the county seat and largest town. Other communities include Brooker, Hampton, and Lawtey. All Bradford County residents file bankruptcy through the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District court, no matter where in the county they live.

No cities in Bradford County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All communities here are served by the same federal courthouse in Jacksonville for bankruptcy matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Bradford County. Check your mailing address to confirm which county you live in. The county determines your federal court division for bankruptcy filings.