Clay County Bankruptcy Filings
Clay County bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Green Cove Springs is the county seat, and Clay County has grown quickly in recent years with a population now over 220,000. All bankruptcy petitions from county residents are processed at the federal courthouse in Jacksonville. You can search these records through PACER online, call the VCIS phone line for free case lookups, or visit the court in person. The Clay County Clerk of Court also maintains local civil records that frequently connect to bankruptcy matters, including judgment liens and foreclosure filings.
Clay County Quick Facts
Clay County Clerk of Court
Tara S. Green serves as the Clay County Clerk of Court. The office is located at 825 N. Orange Ave in Green Cove Springs. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, so those filings go to Jacksonville. But the local clerk handles civil records that often relate to bankruptcy cases. Liens on property, debt collection lawsuits, foreclosure actions, and judgments all get recorded through this office. When a Clay County resident files for bankruptcy, their local court history here can tell part of the story.
You can reach the Clay County Clerk at (904) 269-6302 during regular hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can help you search local civil records and point you in the right direction for federal court filings. The Clay County Clerk website has an online portal for searching recorded documents and court cases. These are state court records, not federal bankruptcy files. But they do show things like foreclosure proceedings, garnishment orders, and satisfaction of judgments that may tie to a bankruptcy case filed by a Clay County resident.
Below is the Clay County Clerk of Court website, available at clayclerk.com.
You can use the clerk site to search court records, access official forms, and find contact information for Clay County court divisions.
| Clerk | Tara S. Green |
|---|---|
| Address | 825 N. Orange Ave, P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 |
| Phone | (904) 269-6302 |
| Website | clayclerk.com |
Clay County Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy filings from Clay County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. The court sits at 300 North Hogan Street, Suite 3-150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 301-6490 for court information and scheduling questions. The Middle District bankruptcy court website provides local rules, filing instructions, required forms, and hearing calendars for Clay County cases.
Federal and state courts are separate systems. The Clay County Clerk does not take bankruptcy petitions or manage federal case files. All documents go to the federal court in Jacksonville. Each case gets assigned a bankruptcy trustee who reviews the debtor's financial situation. Clay County residents attend hearings at the Jacksonville courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, filers must reside in the district or have property there. Clay County is within the Middle District, so residents use the Jacksonville Division for all bankruptcy matters.
Green Cove Springs is about 30 miles south of downtown Jacksonville. Most Clay County communities, including Orange Park and Fleming Island, are even closer to the courthouse.
Search Clay County Bankruptcy Cases
Three main options exist for searching Clay County bankruptcy records. PACER provides full online access. VCIS offers free phone lookups. And the Jacksonville courthouse has public terminals for in-person use.
PACER is the federal courts' electronic records system. It covers every federal court, including the Middle District of Florida where Clay County cases are filed. Register for a free account, then search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. Document access costs $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. Most basic searches stay well under that limit. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them on PACER.
The Voice Case Information System, called VCIS, is completely free. Dial 1-866-222-8029 at any hour, any day of the week. The automated system tells you if a case exists, the case number, the filing date, the chapter type, and the current status. No registration required. VCIS is ideal for a fast check on whether someone in Clay County has filed bankruptcy.
For in-person searches, go to the Jacksonville courthouse at 300 North Hogan Street. Free public terminals let you browse and view Clay County bankruptcy files. You will need a photo ID to enter the building. Clerk staff can assist you with finding specific documents or ordering copies of records you need.
Bankruptcy Filing in Clay County
Clay County residents looking at bankruptcy usually file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can eliminate most unsecured debts, though some property may need to be surrendered. Chapter 13 creates a structured repayment plan lasting three to five years. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. If the fee is too much to pay at once, you can ask the court for an installment plan.
Credit counseling is required before you file. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is a legal step you cannot skip. Gather your financial documents too: two years of tax returns, pay stubs from the past six months, bank statements, and complete lists of debts and assets. All forms and schedules are filed with the Jacksonville Division court.
The moment you file, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes hold. Collection calls stop. Lawsuits freeze. Wage garnishments halt. Foreclosure proceedings pause. The court then schedules a meeting of creditors roughly 30 to 45 days out. Download official forms from the U.S. Courts website to get started.
Clay County Bankruptcy Legal Resources
Several organizations provide help to Clay County residents dealing with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services offers free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents statewide, including Clay County. They can evaluate whether bankruptcy is the right step and help with forms and filing.
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service that serves Clay County. You can get a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney for a modest fee. For those who want to file without a lawyer, the Middle District provides pro se resources and guides on its website. Pro se filing means you handle the case yourself. The court makes materials available to help self-represented filers in Clay County navigate the process. A successful filing leads to a discharge under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, which releases the debtor from personal liability on most debts.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid covers Clay County as well. They take on civil legal matters for eligible clients, including debt problems and housing issues connected to financial distress.
Not all debts can be discharged. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain taxes survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Cities in Clay County
Clay County has several communities including Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg, Fleming Island, and Keystone Heights. All of these are growing areas in the greater Jacksonville metro region. Every bankruptcy filing from Clay County goes through the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District court, regardless of which community the debtor lives in.
No cities in Clay County currently meet the population threshold for a separate page. All Clay County residents use the same federal courthouse in Jacksonville for bankruptcy proceedings.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Clay County. Confirm which county you reside in before filing. Your county determines the federal court division that handles your bankruptcy case.