Hillsborough County Bankruptcy Records
Hillsborough County bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division handles all filings, and the courthouse is right in Tampa, the county seat. With over 1.4 million residents, Hillsborough is one of the most populated counties in the state and sees a high volume of bankruptcy filings each year. You can search these records through PACER or by phone using the VCIS line. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court keeps related civil records that often tie to bankruptcy cases. This page lays out everything you need to search records or start a filing.
Hillsborough County Quick Facts
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
Cindy Stuart is the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 800 E. Twiggs Street in Tampa. While bankruptcy cases are federal, the clerk handles local civil records that relate to many bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, foreclosure actions, and debt collection suits all pass through this office. If you need to see the full picture of someone's legal situation in Hillsborough County, the clerk's records are a good place to look alongside the federal bankruptcy docket.
Call the Hillsborough County Clerk at (813) 276-8100 during normal business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you locate civil case records and point you toward federal bankruptcy resources. The Hillsborough County Clerk website offers online search tools for local court records. You can look up civil cases, recorded documents, and court schedules. These are not bankruptcy filings, but they often show related matters like foreclosures, garnishments, and judgment liens. The site is well organized and easy to use for Hillsborough County record searches.
Below is a screenshot of the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court homepage. Visit the site at hillsclerk.com.
The clerk site gives you access to civil case searches, recorded documents, and court calendars for Hillsborough County.
| Clerk | Cindy Stuart |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Website | hillsclerk.com |
Hillsborough Bankruptcy Court Details
Bankruptcy cases from Hillsborough County are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. The courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. This is just a short drive from the county clerk's office. Call (813) 301-5162 for general court questions. The Middle District bankruptcy court website has all the forms, local rules, and filing guides you need.
Having the bankruptcy court right in Tampa makes things more convenient for Hillsborough County residents. You do not need to travel far for hearings or to file paperwork in person. Federal bankruptcy courts handle cases separately from the state court system. The Hillsborough County Clerk does not process bankruptcy petitions. All filings go to the federal court. A trustee gets assigned to manage each case. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there. Hillsborough County residents file at the Tampa Division.
The Tampa Division also serves nearby counties like Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and several others in the region.
How to Search Hillsborough County Records
There are three main ways to search bankruptcy records from Hillsborough County. PACER is the most thorough. VCIS is free and fast for basic lookups. And you can visit the Tampa courthouse in person since it is right in the county.
PACER covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account to search Hillsborough County bankruptcy records by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents, capped at $3.00 per document. If your quarterly use stays under $30, there is no charge at all. Most basic searches cost very little. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy files are public records that anyone can access.
The Voice Case Information System, or VCIS, is completely free. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Hillsborough County bankruptcy cases. The system gives you basic case info: whether a case exists, the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. It runs around the clock. No account needed. This is the fastest way to do a quick check.
Since the bankruptcy court is in Tampa, Hillsborough County residents can easily visit in person. The courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue has public access terminals where you can search and view case files for free. Bring a photo ID. Staff at the clerk's office can help you pull specific documents or get copies.
Filing Bankruptcy in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County residents who need to file bankruptcy have several choices. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common for individuals. Chapter 7 wipes out most debts but may require you to surrender certain property. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can request to pay the fee in installments if paying the full amount up front is a hardship.
Credit counseling is required before you file. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is a legal requirement under federal law. You also need to prepare your financial documents: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a detailed list of all debts and assets. The petition and schedules get filed with the Tampa Division court, which is right here in Hillsborough County.
Once the petition is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 kicks in immediately. Creditors must stop all collection efforts. No more calls, lawsuits, garnishments, or foreclosure actions. The court then schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after filing. All official forms are available on the U.S. Courts website.
Hillsborough County Legal Resources
Many organizations help Hillsborough County residents with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services offers free assistance to low-income individuals across the state, including the Tampa area. They can advise whether bankruptcy makes sense and help with paperwork.
The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service that includes Hillsborough County. For a small fee, you can get a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. Tampa has a large legal community, so finding a bankruptcy lawyer is not hard. If you choose to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court has pro se resources on its website. The court posts guides and sample forms for self-represented filers. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for most debts. Getting proper legal advice is important to make sure the process goes smoothly.
Bay Area Legal Services in Tampa is another resource for Hillsborough County residents. They handle a range of civil legal matters and can often help with bankruptcy-related questions for those who qualify based on income.
Not all debts go away in bankruptcy. Student loans, child support, and recent tax debts typically survive. See 11 U.S.C. Section 523 for the full list of non-dischargeable debts.
Cities in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County is home to Tampa and several other communities. Tampa is the county seat and the largest city. All bankruptcy filings from Hillsborough County residents go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court.
Other communities in Hillsborough County include Temple Terrace, Plant City, Brandon, Riverview, and Valrico. Residents of these areas also file bankruptcy through the same Tampa Division court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hillsborough County. Check your address if you are not sure which county you are in. Your county determines which court division handles your bankruptcy.