Santa Rosa County Bankruptcy Record Search
Santa Rosa County bankruptcy records are managed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The Pensacola Division processes all bankruptcy filings from Santa Rosa County. With a population over 190,000, this is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Florida panhandle. You can search bankruptcy records online through PACER, call the VCIS line for quick case info, or visit the Pensacola courthouse in person. The Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court also keeps local civil records that may connect to bankruptcy cases.
Santa Rosa County Quick Facts
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
Donald E. Spencer is the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court. The office is located at 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy C in Gulf Breeze. Federal bankruptcy cases are not filed with the county clerk, but this office handles local civil records that can tie to bankruptcy filings. Liens, property transfers, judgments, and foreclosure actions all pass through here. These local records can add context when you are looking into financial matters involving Santa Rosa County residents.
You can reach the Santa Rosa County Clerk at (850) 983-1820 during regular hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can assist with civil record searches and guide you to the federal court for bankruptcy filings. The Santa Rosa County Clerk website has online tools for searching local records. You can look up civil cases and recorded documents. These are not bankruptcy case files, but they cover related civil matters such as debt collection suits, foreclosure filings, and judgment liens in Santa Rosa County.
This screenshot shows the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court homepage, which you can visit at santarosaclerk.com.
The clerk website provides access to case searches, document lookups, and contact info for the Santa Rosa County court system.
| Clerk | Donald E. Spencer |
|---|---|
| Address | 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy C, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 |
| Phone | (850) 983-1820 |
| Website | santarosaclerk.com |
Santa Rosa County Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy cases from Santa Rosa County go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The Pensacola Division handles all filings. The courthouse is at 1 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. Call (850) 521-5001 for general court inquiries. The Northern District court website offers forms, local rules, and filing guides.
Federal bankruptcy courts are entirely separate from state courts. The Santa Rosa County Clerk does not accept or process bankruptcy petitions. Everything goes to the federal court in Pensacola. A trustee gets assigned to each case. Hearings for Santa Rosa County residents are held at the Pensacola courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, you must live in the district or own property there to file. Santa Rosa County is in the Northern District and files through the Pensacola Division.
Other divisions in the Northern District include Tallahassee, Panama City, and Gainesville. Each one serves a different group of counties.
Search Santa Rosa County Filings
You can search Santa Rosa County bankruptcy records using three methods. PACER is the primary online tool. VCIS offers free phone access. And the Pensacola courthouse has public terminals for in-person searches.
PACER is the federal court's electronic records system. It includes the Northern District of Florida, which processes Santa Rosa County cases. Register for a free account to get started. Search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. Documents cost $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly usage is under $30, you pay nothing. Bankruptcy files are public records under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, so anyone can search them.
VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 for free case information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The automated line tells you the case number, filing date, chapter, and status. No account is needed. It is a fast way to check on a Santa Rosa County bankruptcy case without going online.
For in-person access, head to the courthouse at 1 North Palafox Street in Pensacola. Public terminals let you search Santa Rosa County bankruptcy cases at no charge. Bring photo ID. The clerk's office staff can help you locate documents and get copies.
Bankruptcy Filing in Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County residents who need to file for bankruptcy generally choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 erases most unsecured debts but may require surrendering some assets. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. If you cannot afford the fee, the court can set up installment payments.
Before you file, credit counseling from an approved agency is mandatory. The U.S. Department of Justice lists approved providers for the Northern District. You also need to put together your financial records: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete accounting of debts and assets. Submit the petition and schedules to the Pensacola Division court.
Once the petition is filed, an automatic stay begins under 11 U.S.C. Section 362. This stops creditors from pursuing collection efforts. No calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, or foreclosures while the stay is in effect. The court sets a meeting of creditors around 30 to 45 days after filing. All official bankruptcy forms are available at the U.S. Courts website.
Santa Rosa County Legal Resources
Several organizations help Santa Rosa County residents with bankruptcy matters. Florida Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying low-income individuals across the state. They handle consultations and can help with filing paperwork.
The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service covering Santa Rosa County. Pay a small fee for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. If you plan to file on your own, the Northern District court has pro se resources and guides on its website. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a Chapter 7 discharge eliminates your personal liability on most debts. Having legal advice can help you avoid common pitfalls during the process.
Some debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, student loans, child support, alimony, and recent tax debts usually survive. Talk to a lawyer to learn which of your debts can be eliminated in your Santa Rosa County case.
Cities in Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County includes Milton (the county seat), Gulf Breeze, Jay, Pace, and Navarre among other communities. All bankruptcy filings from Santa Rosa County go through the Pensacola Division of the Northern District court, regardless of your address within the county.
No cities in Santa Rosa County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All residents use the same federal bankruptcy court in Pensacola.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Santa Rosa County. If you are unsure which county you live in, check your mailing address. Your county determines which court division handles your bankruptcy filing.