Find Suwannee County Bankruptcy Records
Suwannee County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Live Oak is the county seat, and the county has a population of about 44,000. All bankruptcy petitions from Suwannee County residents are processed at the federal courthouse in Jacksonville. You can search these records through PACER online, use the free VCIS phone line to check on a case, or visit the courthouse in person for direct access. The Suwannee County Clerk of Court maintains local civil case records that may tie into bankruptcy proceedings, including property liens, civil judgments, and debt collection filings in the county.
Suwannee County Quick Facts
Suwannee County Clerk of Court
Kenneth Dasher is the Suwannee County Clerk of Court. The office is at 200 S. Ohio Ave. in Live Oak. Bankruptcy is a federal proceeding handled in Jacksonville, but the local clerk keeps civil records that can be relevant to bankruptcy cases. Liens, foreclosures, debt collection lawsuits, and property records are all filed through this office. If creditors have taken legal action against a Suwannee County resident in state court, those records are available through the clerk.
You can reach the Suwannee County Clerk at (386) 362-0500 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Staff can help with local court record searches and explain where to go for federal bankruptcy files. The Suwannee County Clerk website offers some online access to civil cases and recorded documents. These are state court records, not federal bankruptcy filings. But they do show foreclosure proceedings, garnishment orders, and judgment liens filed in Suwannee County that could be connected to a resident's bankruptcy case.
The Suwannee County Clerk of Court website is shown below, accessible at suwanneeclerk.org.
Use the clerk website to look up court cases, recorded documents, and contact information for Suwannee County court offices.
| Clerk | Kenneth Dasher |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 S. Ohio Ave., Live Oak, FL 32064 |
| Phone | (386) 362-0500 |
| Website | suwanneeclerk.org |
Suwannee County Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy cases from Suwannee County are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. The courthouse address is 300 North Hogan Street, Suite 3-150, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 301-6490 for information about court operations. The Middle District bankruptcy court website provides local rules, filing instructions, required forms, and hearing calendars for cases from Suwannee County.
Federal and state courts are different systems. The Suwannee County Clerk does not process bankruptcy petitions. All filings go to the federal court in Jacksonville. A trustee is assigned to manage each case. Suwannee County residents attend hearings at the Jacksonville courthouse. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 109, the debtor must live in the district or have property there to file. Suwannee County is part of the Middle District, making Jacksonville the filing location.
Live Oak is roughly 80 miles west of Jacksonville. Suwannee County residents should plan for about an hour and a half of driving time to reach the federal courthouse for hearings and in-person visits.
Search Suwannee County Bankruptcy Filings
There are three main ways to find Suwannee County bankruptcy records. PACER gives you the broadest online access to case files. VCIS offers free phone lookups. The Jacksonville courthouse has terminals for in-person searches.
PACER is the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. It works for all federal courts, including the Middle District of Florida. Create a free account, then search for Suwannee County cases by name, case number, or Social Security number. Documents cost $0.10 per page to view, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived entirely. Most Suwannee County searches will cost very little. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy case files are public records. Anyone can search them on PACER.
VCIS is the Voice Case Information System. It is free and runs 24 hours a day. Dial 1-866-222-8029 to check on Suwannee County bankruptcy cases anytime. The automated system provides basic case information: whether a filing exists, the case number, the filing date, the chapter type, and the current status. No login or account is needed. This is the fastest way to get a quick answer about a case when you don't need the full documents.
In-person access is available at the Jacksonville courthouse, 300 North Hogan Street. Public terminals let you search and view Suwannee County bankruptcy case files for free. You need a photo ID to enter. Court staff can assist with finding documents and ordering copies.
Bankruptcy Filing in Suwannee County
Suwannee County residents considering bankruptcy most often file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debts but could involve surrendering some assets. Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan over three to five years, letting you keep your property while paying back a portion of your debts. The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. If you need to, you can ask the court to approve installment payments on the filing fee.
Credit counseling from an approved agency is a requirement before filing. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved providers for the Middle District of Florida. This step cannot be skipped. You also need to gather financial paperwork: two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and complete lists of all debts and assets. Everything gets filed with the Jacksonville Division of the court.
Once filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. Section 362 takes effect. This halts most collection actions immediately. Creditors cannot call, file suits, garnish wages, or foreclose. A meeting of creditors is scheduled about 30 to 45 days after the filing date. Official bankruptcy forms are on the U.S. Courts website.
Suwannee County Legal Resources
Dealing with bankruptcy on your own can be overwhelming. Several organizations help Suwannee County residents. Florida Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income individuals across the state, including Suwannee County. They can help you figure out if bankruptcy is the right option and assist with forms and filing.
The Florida Bar provides a lawyer referral service that covers Suwannee County. For a small fee, you can meet with a bankruptcy attorney for an initial consultation. If you decide to file without a lawyer, the Middle District court website offers pro se materials. Pro se means handling the case yourself. The court makes sample forms and guides available for self-represented filers in Suwannee County. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 727, a discharge in a Chapter 7 case releases the debtor from personal liability on most qualifying debts.
Three Rivers Legal Services is another option for Suwannee County residents. They provide civil legal assistance to eligible clients, including those dealing with debt problems and housing issues.
Keep in mind that not all debts go away in bankruptcy. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain tax obligations survive under 11 U.S.C. Section 523.
Cities in Suwannee County
Suwannee County includes Live Oak (the county seat), Branford, and a few other small communities. Live Oak is the main population center for the county. All bankruptcy filings from Suwannee County residents go through the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District court, no matter where in the county you live.
No cities in Suwannee County meet the population threshold for a separate page. All communities in the county use the same federal courthouse in Jacksonville for bankruptcy matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Suwannee County. Confirm which county you live in before filing for bankruptcy. Your county determines the federal court division that will handle your case.