Access Manatee County Bankruptcy Records

Manatee County bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division processes all cases from Manatee County. Bradenton is the county seat, and the county has grown past 410,000 residents. You can search bankruptcy records online through PACER or call the free VCIS phone line for quick case checks. The Manatee County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that often tie to bankruptcy cases. Whether you want to look up a past case or learn how the filing process works for this area, this page covers what you need.

Manatee County Clerk of Court

Angelina M. Colonneso is the Manatee County Clerk of Court. The office is at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. Bankruptcy cases are federal, but the clerk handles local civil records that frequently connect to bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection cases come through this office. If you need a fuller picture of someone's legal situation in Manatee County, the clerk's civil records can complement what you find in the federal bankruptcy docket.

Call the Manatee County Clerk at (941) 749-1800 during normal business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you find civil case records and direct you to federal resources for bankruptcy searches. The Manatee County Clerk website provides online tools for searching local court records. You can look up civil cases, recorded documents, and court schedules. These are not bankruptcy filings themselves, but they reveal related matters like foreclosure actions, garnishments, and judgment liens filed in the county.

The lead-in to this screenshot shows the Manatee County Clerk of Court homepage, which you can visit at manateeclerk.com.

From the clerk site you can access civil case searches, recorded documents, and court contact details for Manatee County.

Manatee County Bankruptcy Court

Bankruptcy cases from Manatee County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division handles all filings. The courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for court questions. The Middle District bankruptcy court website has forms, local rules, and filing guides.

Federal bankruptcy courts operate independently from state courts. The Manatee County Clerk does not handle bankruptcy petitions. All filings go to the federal court in Tampa. A trustee gets assigned to each case. Hearings for Manatee County residents take place at the Tampa courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. Manatee County is in the Middle District, so residents use the Tampa Division.

Tampa is about a 45-minute drive north from Bradenton, making the courthouse relatively accessible for Manatee County residents who need to appear in person.

Search Manatee County Bankruptcy Records

Three main methods exist for searching Manatee County bankruptcy records. PACER provides the most detail. VCIS is free for basic case info. The Tampa courthouse offers in-person access.

PACER covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. You need a free account to search Manatee County bankruptcy records. Once logged in, search by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents, capped at $3.00 per document. If you stay under $30 in a quarter, there is no charge. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records open to anyone.

The Voice Case Information System, VCIS, is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Manatee County bankruptcy cases. You get basic info: case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. The line runs 24 hours a day with no account required. It is a good choice for a fast lookup when you only need to confirm a case exists.

You can also go to the courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue in Tampa. Public access terminals let you search and view case files for free. Bring a photo ID. Staff can help you locate specific documents or request copies of items in a Manatee County bankruptcy case.

Filing Bankruptcy in Manatee County

Manatee County residents considering bankruptcy have options. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common choices for individuals. Chapter 7 wipes out most debts but may require giving up some assets. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan over three to five years. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can ask the court to approve installment payments if the full fee is a burden.

Credit counseling is mandatory before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has an approved list for the Middle District of Florida. This is required by federal law. You will also need to collect tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of all debts and assets. The petition and schedules get filed at the Tampa Division court.

Once you file, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 kicks in. Creditors must stop all collection actions immediately. No more phone calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, or foreclosures. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. All official bankruptcy forms are available on the U.S. Courts website.

Manatee County Legal Resources

Several groups can help Manatee County residents with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income individuals statewide, including those in the Bradenton area. They can advise on bankruptcy options and help with forms.

The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral program covering Manatee County. A small fee gets you a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in the area. If you want to go it alone, the Middle District court offers pro se resources on its website. Pro se filers represent themselves without a lawyer. The court provides guides and sample forms for this purpose. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for most debts. Professional guidance helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Gulfcoast Legal Services also serves the Manatee County area and assists with civil legal matters that may connect to bankruptcy cases for qualifying individuals.

Be aware that not all debts can be discharged. Student loans, child support, and recent tax debts typically survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.

Cities in Manatee County

Manatee County has several cities and communities. Bradenton is the county seat and largest city. All bankruptcy filings from Manatee County go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court, no matter where you live in the county.

Cities and communities in Manatee County include Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Palmetto, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Lakewood Ranch. None of these meet the population threshold for a separate city page, but all residents use the same Tampa Division court for bankruptcy matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Manatee County. Check your mailing address if you are not sure which county you live in. The county determines which federal court division handles your bankruptcy case.