Seminole County Bankruptcy Records
Seminole County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. With a population of about 470,000, Seminole County is one of the more populated counties in the Orlando metro area. The court handles a steady flow of bankruptcy filings from this county. You can search case records online through PACER, by phone using the VCIS line, or in person at the Orlando courthouse. The Seminole County Clerk of Court keeps local civil records that may relate to bankruptcy cases filed by residents.
Seminole County Quick Facts
Seminole County Clerk of Court
Grant S. Maloy is the Seminole County Clerk of Court. The office is at 301 N. Park Avenue in Sanford, FL 32772 (mailing: P.O. Box 8099). Bankruptcy is a federal process, but the county clerk maintains local civil records that often connect to bankruptcy cases. Property filings, liens, judgments, and foreclosure records all come through this office. If a debtor in Seminole County has local court actions, the clerk's records can show those details.
Call the Seminole County Clerk at (407) 665-4450 during regular business hours. Staff can help you find local civil records and direct you to the Orlando Division court for federal bankruptcy inquiries. The Seminole County Clerk website has online search tools for local court records. While bankruptcy filings are not available here, you can find related records such as foreclosure cases, collection lawsuits, and judgment liens filed in Seminole County.
The screenshot below shows the Seminole County Clerk of Court website, available at seminoleclerk.org.
Use the clerk website to search civil cases, view official records, and find contact information for all divisions of the Seminole County court system.
| Clerk | Grant S. Maloy |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N. Park Avenue, P.O. Box 8099, Sanford, FL 32772 |
| Phone | (407) 665-4450 |
| Website | seminoleclerk.org |
Bankruptcy Court for Seminole County
Seminole County is part of the Orlando Division within the Middle District of Florida. The courthouse is at 400 W. Washington Street, Suite 5100, Orlando, FL 32801. Call (407) 237-8000 for court inquiries. The Middle District court website posts local rules, filing guides, and official forms.
The Orlando Division has a staffed Bankruptcy Clerk's Office that processes filings from Seminole County and neighboring counties. Attorneys file electronically through CM/ECF. If you are filing pro se, you can go to the Orlando courthouse in person or mail your petition. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must reside in the judicial district or have property there. Seminole County is in the Middle District, so all residents file through the Orlando Division.
Hearings for Seminole County cases take place at the Orlando courthouse. The drive from Sanford to downtown Orlando is relatively short, which makes court appearances manageable for most Seminole County residents.
Search Seminole County Bankruptcy Records
Three methods let you search Seminole County bankruptcy records. PACER gives you the most detail. VCIS handles quick phone lookups. And the Orlando courthouse has public terminals for in-person access.
PACER covers all federal courts. Create a free account to search Seminole County cases by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. Fees are $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If your quarterly use stays under $30, there is no charge. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy filings are public records that anyone can access. Petitions, schedules, court orders, and discharge documents are all available on PACER.
VCIS is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 at any hour. The automated system can confirm a case exists and provide the case number, filing date, chapter type, and current status for Seminole County bankruptcy filings. No account is needed. This is useful for quick verification of basic case information.
The Orlando courthouse at 400 W. Washington Street has public terminals. You can search and view Seminole County bankruptcy files for free. Bring a photo ID. Clerk staff can assist with locating specific documents within a case.
Bankruptcy Filing in Seminole County
Seminole County residents who need to file bankruptcy typically choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 can wipe out most unsecured debts, though you may have to surrender some assets. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan over three to five years. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. If you cannot pay the full fee at once, the court can approve installment payments.
You must complete credit counseling before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved agencies for the Middle District. Pull together your tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a full list of debts and assets. All official forms are on the U.S. Courts website. File your completed petition with the Orlando Division court.
The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes effect when your case is filed. Creditors must stop all collection actions immediately. No more calls, suits, garnishments, or foreclosures. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days after filing. Every Seminole County debtor must attend this meeting as part of the process.
Seminole County Legal Resources
Florida Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents throughout Florida. Seminole County residents can get guidance on whether bankruptcy makes sense and help with paperwork if they qualify. The Orlando area has several legal aid organizations that serve Seminole County as well.
The Florida Bar operates a lawyer referral service covering Seminole County. Pay a small fee for a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney. If you prefer to handle your own case, the Middle District court posts pro se resources on its website. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge releases the debtor from personal liability on most debts. Completing all steps correctly is essential to securing that discharge.
Not all debts can be eliminated. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523, child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain tax obligations cannot be discharged. Speak with a bankruptcy attorney in Seminole County if you need clarity on which of your debts qualify for discharge.
Cities in Seminole County
Seminole County includes Sanford (the county seat), Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, and Winter Springs. All bankruptcy filings from Seminole County go through the Orlando Division of the Middle District court. No cities in Seminole County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page, but the filing process is identical for all residents regardless of which city they live in.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Seminole County. Your county determines which federal court division handles your case. Check your address if you are near a county boundary.