Putnam County Bankruptcy Records
Putnam County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Palatka is the county seat, and the county has a population of about 74,000. All bankruptcy petitions from Putnam County go to the federal courthouse in Jacksonville for processing. You can search these records online using PACER, call the free VCIS phone service for basic case lookups, or visit the Jacksonville courthouse to use public terminals. The Putnam County Clerk of Court maintains local civil records that often overlap with bankruptcy cases, such as property liens, civil judgments, and foreclosure filings in the county.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Clerk of Court
Larry D. Harvey serves as the Putnam County Clerk of Court. The mailing address is P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178. Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding that goes through Jacksonville, but the local clerk handles civil records that frequently come up during bankruptcy cases. Liens, property transfers, debt collection suits, and foreclosure filings all pass through this office. If a Putnam County resident has been taken to court by creditors or has liens on their home, those records are available here.
Call the Putnam County Clerk at (386) 326-7600 during regular business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you find local court records and guide you to the right resources for federal bankruptcy case files. The Putnam County Clerk website provides online access to civil court cases and recorded documents. These are not federal bankruptcy files, but they do show related local matters. Foreclosure proceedings, wage garnishment orders, and creditor judgments filed in Putnam County can all be found through the clerk's system.
Below is the Putnam County Clerk of Court website, available at putnamclerk.org.
The site lets you look up court cases, search recorded documents, and find contact details for Putnam County court offices.
| Clerk | Larry D. Harvey |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178 |
| Phone | (386) 326-7600 |
| Website | putnamclerk.org |
Bankruptcy Court for Putnam County
All Putnam County bankruptcy cases are heard at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. The courthouse is at 300 North Hogan Street, Suite 3-150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 301-6490 for court information and scheduling questions. The Middle District bankruptcy court website has the local rules, filing procedures, required forms, and hearing calendars you need for Putnam County cases.
The federal court runs independently from state courts. Putnam County's clerk does not accept or manage bankruptcy filings. Those all go through the federal system. A trustee is assigned to each case to review the debtor's financial situation and manage the estate. Hearings for Putnam County residents are held at the Jacksonville courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file bankruptcy. Putnam County is part of the Middle District, making Jacksonville the correct filing location.
Palatka is about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. The drive takes roughly an hour. Putnam County residents should plan their travel for court dates and any in-person visits to the clerk's office at the federal courthouse.
Search Putnam County Bankruptcy Cases
Three methods are available for searching Putnam County bankruptcy records. PACER is the best option for full online access. VCIS gives you free phone lookups. And the Jacksonville courthouse offers public terminals for in-person use.
PACER handles electronic records for all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Set up a free account to search Putnam County cases by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. Each page of a document costs $0.10 to view, with a cap of $3.00 per document. If your total charges stay under $30 per quarter, the fee is waived. Most simple searches cost almost nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records and anyone can look them up.
VCIS stands for Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time, day or night, for free. The system can tell you if a Putnam County bankruptcy case exists, provide the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status. No login or account is needed. VCIS works great when you just need to quickly confirm whether a case has been filed.
You can also visit the Jacksonville courthouse at 300 North Hogan Street. Free public terminals let you search and view Putnam County bankruptcy case files. A photo ID is required to enter the building. Court staff can help locate specific documents and make copies if you need them.
Bankruptcy Filing in Putnam County
Putnam County residents who want to file for bankruptcy generally pick Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can discharge most unsecured debts, though you may need to give up some non-exempt property. Chapter 13 lets you keep your assets while paying debts through a plan over three to five years. The Chapter 7 fee is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. If paying the full fee up front is a problem, you can ask the court to approve installment payments.
Before filing, you must take credit counseling from an approved provider. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved agencies for the Middle District of Florida. This is a legal requirement that applies to everyone. You will also need to gather financial paperwork: two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and complete lists of your debts and assets. All forms get filed with the Jacksonville Division of the court.
Filing triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. Creditors have to stop all collection actions. Calls, lawsuits, garnishments, and foreclosures all halt. A meeting of creditors takes place about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. Get the official forms from the U.S. Courts website.
Putnam County Legal Resources
Several organizations can help Putnam County residents with bankruptcy. Florida Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income people across the state, including Putnam County. They can help you evaluate whether bankruptcy is the right choice and assist with the required paperwork.
The Florida Bar provides a lawyer referral service for Putnam County residents. You pay a small fee and get an initial meeting with a bankruptcy attorney. If you decide to file on your own, the Middle District court has pro se guides on its website. Pro se means going through the case without an attorney. The court offers sample forms and step-by-step instructions designed for self-represented filers in Putnam County. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge removes personal liability for most qualifying debts. Making sure you complete every step correctly is key.
Three Rivers Legal Services also covers Putnam County. They provide civil legal assistance to eligible residents, including help with debt-related problems and housing issues.
Not every debt can be erased. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain tax obligations survive bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County includes Palatka (the county seat), Interlachen, Pomona Park, Welaka, and Crescent City among other communities. Palatka is the largest town and the center of government for the county. All bankruptcy filings from Putnam County go through the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District court.
No cities in Putnam County meet the population threshold for a separate page. All communities in the county use the same federal courthouse in Jacksonville for bankruptcy proceedings.
Nearby Counties
These counties are neighbors to Putnam County. Make sure you know which county you live in before filing for bankruptcy. Your county determines the federal court division for your case.