Find Pinellas County Bankruptcy Records
Pinellas County bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division handles all filings from Pinellas County residents. Clearwater is the county seat, and with nearly a million residents, Pinellas is one of the most densely populated counties in the state. The volume of bankruptcy filings here is consistently high. You can search records through PACER or call the free VCIS phone line. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records that often connect to bankruptcy cases. This page covers each search method and walks you through the filing process.
Pinellas County Quick Facts
Pinellas County Clerk of Court
Ken Burke is the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 315 Court Street in Clearwater. Bankruptcy cases are federal matters, but the clerk handles local civil records that frequently relate to bankruptcy filings. Liens, judgments, foreclosures, and debt collection suits all come through this office. When you want to see how local court activity connects to a federal bankruptcy case, the clerk's records can be a valuable source of information.
Call the Pinellas County Clerk at (727) 464-7000 during normal business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help locate civil case records and guide you to the right resources for federal bankruptcy searches. The Pinellas County Clerk website has online tools for searching local court records. You can look up civil cases, official records, and court calendars. These are not bankruptcy files themselves, but they reveal related matters such as foreclosure actions, garnishments, and judgment liens in Pinellas County. The website is well maintained and easy to use.
The lead-in to this screenshot shows the Pinellas County Clerk of Court homepage. Visit the site at pinellasclerk.org.
From the clerk site you can search civil cases, view official records, and access court schedules across all Pinellas County court locations.
| Clerk | Ken Burke |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 |
| Phone | (727) 464-7000 |
| Website | pinellasclerk.org |
Pinellas County Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy cases from Pinellas County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division processes all filings. The courthouse is at 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, local rules, and filing guides for Pinellas County residents.
Federal bankruptcy courts operate separately from the state court system. The Pinellas County Clerk does not handle bankruptcy petitions. Everything goes to the federal court in Tampa. A trustee is assigned to each case once it is filed. Hearings for Pinellas County residents take place at the Tampa courthouse, which is just across the bay. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or have property there to file. Pinellas County is in the Middle District, so the Tampa Division is where you go.
The drive from Clearwater or St. Petersburg to the Tampa courthouse is usually 30 to 45 minutes, depending on bridge traffic and time of day.
Search Pinellas County Bankruptcy Records
Three good options exist for searching Pinellas County bankruptcy records. PACER is the most thorough. VCIS is free for basic case checks. The Tampa courthouse has in-person terminals across the bay.
PACER covers all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account to search Pinellas 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 you stay under $30 in a quarter, there is no charge. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records. Anyone can look them up.
VCIS is a free phone service. Call 1-866-222-8029 to check on Pinellas County bankruptcy cases. The automated system provides the case number, filing date, chapter type, and case status. It is available 24 hours a day. No account required. VCIS is the best choice when you just need to verify that a case exists or check where it stands.
You can also visit the courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue in Tampa. Public access terminals let you search and view Pinellas County bankruptcy files at no cost. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you request copies of specific documents from any case.
Filing Bankruptcy in Pinellas County
Pinellas County residents who need to file bankruptcy have options. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common for individuals. Chapter 7 eliminates most debts but may require surrendering certain property. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. The court allows installment payments if paying the full amount at once is a hardship.
Credit counseling is mandatory before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is required by federal law. You will also need tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of your debts and assets. All paperwork gets filed with the Tampa Division court.
After you file, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 goes into effect immediately. Creditors must stop all collection actions. No calls, no lawsuits, no garnishments, no foreclosures. The court then schedules a meeting of creditors about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. Official bankruptcy forms are available on the U.S. Courts website.
Pinellas County Legal Resources
Many organizations serve Pinellas County residents who need help with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals statewide, including Pinellas County. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is the right choice and assist with the filing process.
The Florida Bar has a lawyer referral service for Pinellas County. A small fee gets you a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in the area. Clearwater and St. Petersburg have many attorneys who focus on bankruptcy law. If you plan to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court has pro se resources online. The court provides guides and sample forms for self-represented filers. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge frees the debtor from personal liability for most debts. Having professional help can make a real difference in the outcome.
Gulfcoast Legal Services has offices in Pinellas County and can help with civil legal matters tied to bankruptcy for qualifying individuals.
Be aware that certain debts survive bankruptcy. Student loans, child support, and recent tax debts are typically non-dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Cities in Pinellas County
Pinellas County is home to many cities packed into a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater is the county seat. All bankruptcy filings from Pinellas County residents go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court.
Other communities in Pinellas County include Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and Seminole. Residents of these areas also file bankruptcy through the same Tampa Division court.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Pinellas County. Since Pinellas is a peninsula, it shares most of its land border with Hillsborough County. Check your address to confirm which county you live in.