Miami-Dade Bankruptcy Records
Miami-Dade County bankruptcy records are managed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Miami Division handles all filings from this county. With more than 2.7 million residents, Miami-Dade produces one of the highest volumes of bankruptcy cases in the entire country. You can search these records online through PACER, check case status for free using the VCIS phone line, or visit the federal courthouse in downtown Miami. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records, including liens, judgments, and foreclosure filings that often tie into bankruptcy proceedings.
Miami-Dade County Quick Facts
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Juan Fernandez-Barquin serves as the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 73 W. Flagler Street in Miami. This office does not process bankruptcy petitions. Those go to the federal court. However, the clerk keeps civil records that frequently relate to bankruptcy cases. Judgment liens, foreclosure actions, debt collection suits, and property recordings in Miami-Dade County all flow through this office.
Call (305) 275-1155 to reach the clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday. The Miami-Dade County Clerk website has extensive online search tools. You can look up civil cases, criminal cases, traffic cases, and official records from home. If a debtor had lawsuits filed against them in Miami-Dade before filing for bankruptcy, those records are in the clerk's system. The online tools are some of the best in the state for public record searches.
Below is the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court website. Visit it at miami-dadeclerk.com.
The clerk's online portal gives you access to civil case searches, recorded documents, and court schedules for all Miami-Dade County courts.
| Clerk | Juan Fernandez-Barquin |
|---|---|
| Address | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | miami-dadeclerk.com |
Miami-Dade Bankruptcy Court
All bankruptcy cases from Miami-Dade County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The courthouse is at 301 North Miami Avenue, Room 150, Miami, FL 33128. You can call (305) 714-1800 for court questions. The Southern District court website has forms, local rules, and guides.
The Miami Division is among the busiest bankruptcy courts in the nation. It handles thousands of cases each year from Miami-Dade County alone. Multiple judges sit in this division. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, debtors file where they live or own property. Miami-Dade is firmly in the Southern District's Miami Division. The courthouse is in downtown Miami, easy to reach by car or public transit.
Trustees assigned to Miami-Dade cases manage the proceedings. Chapter 7 trustees look for nonexempt assets to sell. Chapter 13 trustees handle monthly payment plans. The volume of cases here means the court runs on a tight schedule. Deadlines matter. Miss one and your case could be dismissed.
Search Miami-Dade Bankruptcy Records
Three ways to search Miami-Dade County bankruptcy records. PACER for full online access. VCIS for free phone lookups. The courthouse for in-person research.
PACER is the federal court electronic records system. Register for a free account and search the Southern District of Florida. Look up Miami-Dade cases by debtor name, case number, or last four of a Social Security number. Documents cost $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 each. Under $30 in a quarter means no charge at all. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy filings are public. Anyone can search them. Given the high number of cases in Miami-Dade, PACER is the most efficient way to find what you need.
The Voice Case Information System is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night. The automated system tells you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. No sign-up needed. VCIS works well for quick checks on Miami-Dade cases.
You can visit the courthouse at 301 North Miami Avenue. Public access terminals let you search and read case files at no cost. Bring photo ID. The clerk's office window can help you get copies of documents from specific Miami-Dade County bankruptcy cases. For people who need to review thick case files, an in-person visit can be more practical than downloading pages one at a time from PACER.
Bankruptcy Filing in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County residents file with the Miami Division. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts. The fee is $338. Chapter 13 restructures your debts into a payment plan for three to five years. That fee is $313. Ask for installment payments if the full fee is too much at once.
Credit counseling is mandatory before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies. Many offer sessions in English and Spanish, which is important for a large share of Miami-Dade residents. Get the certificate, then collect your records: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, a list of all debts, and a list of all assets. File everything with the Miami Division.
The automatic stay kicks in under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 the moment you file. All collection actions must stop. No more calls, suits, garnishments, or foreclosures. A meeting of creditors is set within 30 to 45 days. You have to show up. All official forms are at the U.S. Courts website.
Because of the sheer size of Miami-Dade, the court processes a very large number of filings. Expect some wait times for hearings. Stay on top of every deadline to avoid delays in your case.
Miami-Dade County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income residents across the state. They serve Miami-Dade County and can assist with bankruptcy questions, paperwork, and figuring out the right chapter to file.
The Florida Bar runs a referral service that can connect you with a bankruptcy lawyer in Miami-Dade. You pay a small fee for an initial consultation. Hundreds of bankruptcy attorneys practice in Miami, and many offer a free first meeting. For pro se filers, the Southern District has self-help guides online. The court won't give legal advice, but the materials cover each step in detail.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge erases personal liability for most debts. But some debts survive. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, student loans, child support, alimony, and recent taxes are not dischargeable. An attorney familiar with Miami-Dade cases can explain exactly what will and will not be covered.
Cities in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County has dozens of cities and unincorporated areas. All bankruptcy filings from the county go through the Miami Division of the Southern District court, regardless of which city you live in.
Other communities in Miami-Dade include Doral, Kendall, North Miami, Aventura, Coral Gables, and Miami Lakes. Residents of these areas also file through the same Miami Division court.
Nearby Counties
Miami-Dade County borders these counties. All are in the Southern District of Florida. If you live near a county line, check your address to confirm which county handles your case.