Pasco County Bankruptcy Records

Pasco County bankruptcy records are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division serves all Pasco County residents who file for bankruptcy. Dade City is the county seat, though much of the population lives in the western and southern parts of the county closer to Tampa. You can search these records online using PACER or by phone through the free VCIS line. The Pasco County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that often connect to bankruptcy cases. This page covers the tools and steps you need to find records or learn about the filing process in Pasco County.

Pasco County Clerk of Court

Nikki T. Alvarez-Sowles serves as the Pasco County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 38053 Live Oak Ave. in Dade City. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, but the clerk keeps local civil records that often relate to bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection cases come through this office. If you want to see how local court activity ties into a bankruptcy case, the clerk's records provide that missing piece.

You can reach the Pasco County Clerk at (352) 518-4008 during regular business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff are available to help you find civil case records and point you to the correct office for federal bankruptcy filings. The Pasco County Clerk website has online tools for searching local court records. Civil cases, official records, and court calendars are all accessible. These are not bankruptcy files, but they reveal related items like foreclosure actions, garnishments, and judgment liens filed in Pasco County. The site is well designed and easy to navigate.

Below is a screenshot of the Pasco County Clerk of Court homepage. You can visit the site at pascoclerk.com.

The clerk site allows you to search civil cases, look up official records, and find contact details for all Pasco County court locations.

Pasco County Bankruptcy Court Info

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

Federal bankruptcy courts are separate from state courts. The Pasco County Clerk does not process bankruptcy petitions. All filings go straight to the federal court in Tampa. A trustee gets assigned to manage each case. Hearings for Pasco County residents take place at the Tampa courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must reside in the district or own property there. Pasco County is in the Middle District, so residents file at the Tampa Division.

The drive from the western part of Pasco County to the Tampa courthouse is relatively short, usually under an hour depending on traffic.

Search Pasco County Bankruptcy Records

Three main options are available for searching Pasco County bankruptcy records. PACER provides the most complete access. VCIS is free for quick lookups. You can also visit the Tampa courthouse in person.

PACER is the federal court electronic records system. It covers every federal court, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account to search Pasco County bankruptcy records by name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If your quarterly use stays under $30, the fee is waived. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can search them.

The Voice Case Information System, VCIS, is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Pasco County cases. The automated system can confirm if a case exists and give you the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. It runs 24 hours a day with no account required. This is the fastest way to get basic case information.

You can also go to the courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue in Tampa. Public terminals let you search and view Pasco County bankruptcy case files at no charge. Bring a photo ID. Courthouse staff can help with specific document requests or copies.

Bankruptcy Filing in Pasco County

Pasco County residents considering bankruptcy have several paths forward. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common for individual filers. Chapter 7 eliminates most debts but may require giving up some assets. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan over three to five years. The filing fee for Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. You can request to pay in installments if the full amount is too much at once.

You must complete credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice keeps a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is mandatory under federal law. Gather all your financial records before you start: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets. The petition and schedules get filed with the Tampa Division court.

When the petition is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes effect. This stops collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and foreclosure proceedings right away. A meeting of creditors follows about 30 to 45 days later. All official bankruptcy forms are on the U.S. Courts website.

Pasco County Legal Resources

Several organizations help Pasco County residents navigate bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income individuals statewide, including Pasco County. They can evaluate your situation and help with the paperwork.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service that covers Pasco County. For a small fee you can speak with a bankruptcy attorney in the area. If you prefer to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court has pro se guides and sample forms on its website. Pro se means handling your own case. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for most debts. Getting legal advice helps make sure you do not miss critical steps or deadlines.

Bay Area Legal Services serves Pasco County and can help with civil legal matters connected to bankruptcy for qualifying individuals based on income.

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

Cities in Pasco County

Pasco County has many communities spread across a wide area. Dade City is the county seat. All bankruptcy filings from Pasco County residents go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court, no matter where you live in the county.

Communities in Pasco County include Dade City, New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and Lutz (partly in Pasco). None of these meet the population threshold for a separate city page, but all residents use the same Tampa Division court for bankruptcy filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pasco County. Confirm your mailing address if you are not sure which county you live in. Your county determines which federal court division handles your bankruptcy filing.