Find Sarasota County Bankruptcy Records
Sarasota County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. With a population over 450,000, Sarasota County generates a notable number of bankruptcy filings each year. You can search these records online through PACER, by calling the VCIS phone line, or at the Tampa courthouse in person. The Sarasota County Clerk of Court maintains local civil records that may be connected to bankruptcy cases. Whether you need to look up an old filing or track a current case, there are several ways to get what you need.
Sarasota County Quick Facts
Sarasota County Clerk of Court
Karen E. Rushing serves as the Sarasota County Clerk of Court. The office is at 2000 Main Street in Sarasota, FL 34237. Bankruptcy is a federal matter, but the clerk handles local civil records that often tie to bankruptcy filings. Liens, property records, judgments, and foreclosure filings all come through this office. If a debtor in Sarasota County had local court actions, these records can fill in the financial picture.
Call the Sarasota County Clerk at (941) 861-7400 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can help with civil record searches and point you toward the right resources for federal bankruptcy matters. The Sarasota County Clerk website lets you search local court records online. You will not find bankruptcy filings here, but you can access related records like foreclosure cases, debt collection lawsuits, and judgment liens filed in Sarasota County.
The screenshot below shows the PACER homepage, the federal system used to search Sarasota County bankruptcy records. Visit it at pacer.uscourts.gov.
PACER provides access to all federal court records, including every bankruptcy case filed in the Middle District of Florida by Sarasota County residents.
| Clerk | Karen E. Rushing |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 |
| Phone | (941) 861-7400 |
| Website | sarasotaclerk.org |
Sarasota County Bankruptcy Court
Sarasota County is part of the Tampa Division within the Middle District of Florida. The courthouse is at 801 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 555, Tampa, FL 33602. Call (813) 301-5162 for general court questions. The Middle District court website has local rules, forms, and filing instructions.
The Tampa Division has a fully staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office that handles filings from Sarasota County and many surrounding counties. Attorneys file electronically through CM/ECF. Pro se filers can submit paperwork by mail to the Tampa address or visit in person. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there. Sarasota County falls within the Middle District, so residents file through the Tampa Division.
The Tampa Division is the busiest in the Middle District. It processes cases from a wide area of west-central Florida, including Sarasota County.
Search Sarasota County Bankruptcy Records
There are three main ways to search for Sarasota County bankruptcy records. PACER offers the most complete access. VCIS is good for quick checks. The Tampa courthouse allows in-person searches.
PACER is the federal court electronic records system. Sign up for a free account, then search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. It costs $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly usage stays under $30, you pay nothing. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records. Anyone can search them without showing a reason.
VCIS is a free phone service. Call 1-866-222-8029 around the clock. The automated system tells you whether a case exists, plus the case number, filing date, chapter type, and status for Sarasota County cases. No account required. This is handy when you just need to verify basic case details.
The Tampa courthouse at 801 N. Florida Avenue has public access terminals. You can search and view Sarasota County case files at no cost. Bring a photo ID. Staff at the clerk's window can help locate specific documents from any case file you need.
Filing Bankruptcy in Sarasota County
Sarasota County residents who need to file bankruptcy usually go with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can eliminate most unsecured debts, though some property may be at risk depending on exemptions. Chapter 13 puts you on a payment plan lasting three to five years. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. If you cannot afford the fee, the court can let you pay in installments over time.
Credit counseling from an approved agency is required before you file. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved providers for the Middle District. You need to gather your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a complete list of all debts and assets. Official forms are on the U.S. Courts website. Your petition gets filed with the Tampa Division.
Once filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 kicks in immediately. This halts most collection actions against you. Creditors cannot call, file suits, garnish wages, or foreclose. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days after your filing date. Attendance is mandatory for all Sarasota County debtors.
Sarasota County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services gives free legal help to low-income residents throughout the state, including Sarasota County. They can advise on whether bankruptcy is the right choice and help with forms if you qualify for their services.
The Florida Bar has a referral service that covers Sarasota County. For a small fee, you get a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. The Middle District court also has pro se resources on its website for those who want to handle their own case. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability on most debts. Getting the process right is important, so legal help is worth considering even if you plan to file on your own.
Certain debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, alimony, student loans, and some recent tax debts survive. A lawyer can review your debts and tell you what to expect after filing in Sarasota County.
Cities in Sarasota County
Sarasota County includes the city of Sarasota (the county seat), North Port, Venice, and several other communities. All bankruptcy filings from Sarasota County go through the Tampa Division of the Middle District court.
Other cities in Sarasota County include Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, and Osprey. Residents of all these communities file through the same Tampa Division court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Sarasota County. Your county determines your federal court division. If you live near a county boundary, verify your address to make sure you file in the right place.