Philadelphia Bankruptcy Records
Philadelphia bankruptcy records are filed and maintained through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, with about 1.58 million residents. Bankruptcy filings in Philadelphia are federal cases handled under Title 11 of the United States Code. You can search Philadelphia bankruptcy records through PACER, the federal courts' online access system, or by contacting the Eastern District court directly. This guide covers how to find and access bankruptcy filings in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Philadelphia Bankruptcy Court Location
Philadelphia residents file bankruptcy cases at the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court. The courthouse sits in Center City Philadelphia. This court serves all of Philadelphia County, which is a consolidated city-county. Chief Judge Ashley M. Chan and other bankruptcy judges handle cases filed in the Philadelphia division.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Phone | (215) 408-2800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | paeb.uscourts.gov |
| VCIS | 1-866-222-8029, extension 713 |
The Eastern District Bankruptcy Court also has an intake office at 601 Market Street, James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia, PA 19106. SEPTA subway, bus, and regional rail all serve this area. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person. The U.S. Trustee Program Region 3 oversees bankruptcy cases filed in this district and is located at 633 Chestnut Street, Suite 1880, Philadelphia, PA 19106. You can reach Region 3 at (215) 597-4411 or visit justice.gov/ust/region-03.
The Eastern District uses CM/ECF for electronic filing by attorneys. Pro se filers use the Electronic Document Submission System (EDSS). The court requires multi-factor authentication for CM/ECF access. For login help, call (215) 408-2800 extension 2817.
How to Search Philadelphia Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the primary tool for searching Philadelphia bankruptcy records. PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. You can search by debtor name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows docket entries, filed documents, and case status for all bankruptcy filings in Philadelphia. Register for free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Fees are $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 maximum per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. Court opinions are always free.
The Eastern District's official website at paeb.uscourts.gov provides links to case search tools and court calendars. The VCIS telephone system at 1-866-222-8029 (extension 713) lets you check case status by phone at no charge. For older or closed Philadelphia bankruptcy cases, the Federal Records Center may hold physical files. Contact the court clerk for retrieval instructions.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us covers state court records but does not include federal bankruptcy filings. Use PACER for bankruptcy record searches specific to Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas at courts.phila.gov maintains civil judgment records that may appear in bankruptcy schedules.
The Eastern District screenshot below shows the official court homepage, which contains links to local rules, judge calendars, and electronic filing guides for Philadelphia bankruptcy cases.
The court's local rules govern all Philadelphia bankruptcy filings and are available for download directly from paeb.uscourts.gov.
Philadelphia Bankruptcy Filing Options
Philadelphia residents can file under several chapters of the Bankruptcy Code. The two most common for individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation bankruptcy. It discharges most unsecured debts within about four months. The filing fee for Chapter 7 in Philadelphia is $338. Chapter 13 is a reorganization plan lasting three to five years. It allows debtors to keep property while repaying creditors through a structured plan. The Chapter 13 filing fee is $313.
Before filing in Philadelphia, you must complete credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days of filing. This is required under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h). The U.S. Trustee Region 3 maintains a list of approved providers at justice.gov/ust/region-03. After filing, the automatic stay takes effect immediately under 11 U.S.C. § 362. This stops most collection actions, lawsuits, foreclosures, and wage garnishments.
About 21 to 40 days after filing, the court schedules a 341 meeting of creditors under 11 U.S.C. § 341. In Philadelphia, these meetings are held locally. Creditors may attend but rarely do. The trustee asks questions under oath about your finances. A Chapter 7 discharge typically follows under 11 U.S.C. § 524. Certain debts cannot be discharged, as listed in 11 U.S.C. § 523, including student loans, recent taxes, and domestic support obligations.
PACER provides 24/7 access to all Philadelphia bankruptcy case dockets, documents, and hearing schedules filed in the Eastern District.
Bankruptcy Exemptions for Philadelphia Filers
Philadelphia debtors choose between Pennsylvania state exemptions and federal exemptions when filing bankruptcy. Pennsylvania does not have a homestead exemption, which makes the federal exemption set much more favorable for most filers. Under federal exemptions at 11 U.S.C. § 522, Philadelphia filers can protect up to $27,900 in home equity, up to $4,450 in vehicle equity, and up to $1,875 in jewelry. Pennsylvania state law provides only a $300 wildcard exemption under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8123.
Philadelphia residents must choose one set or the other. They cannot mix state and federal exemptions. Most Philadelphia filers choose the federal exemptions because of the homestead protection. Your bankruptcy attorney or a legal aid provider can help you determine which set protects more of your assets in a Philadelphia filing.
Note: Exemption amounts may be adjusted periodically. Confirm current figures with the court or your attorney before filing a Philadelphia bankruptcy case.
Philadelphia Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Filing fees for Philadelphia bankruptcy cases are set by federal law and apply uniformly across the Eastern District. The fee to file Chapter 7 is $338. The fee to file Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 business reorganizations carry a higher fee. All fees are paid to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk at the time of filing. You can pay by money order, cashier's check, or through the electronic system if filing through an attorney.
Philadelphia filers with low income may apply to pay the Chapter 7 fee in installments or request a full fee waiver. To apply for a waiver, you must meet income requirements under the federal poverty guidelines. Submit the application form with your initial filing. The court reviews the application and rules on it. If denied, you must pay the fee within a set time. Fee waivers are not available for Chapter 13.
PACER fees apply separately when searching Philadelphia bankruptcy records online. These are $0.10 per page viewed. Each document has a $3.00 cap. Accounts that incur less than $30 in fees per quarter are not charged.
Legal Help for Philadelphia Bankruptcy Cases
Several organizations in Philadelphia offer free or low-cost help with bankruptcy filings. Community Legal Services, located at 1424 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, provides free civil legal services to low-income residents. Their services include bankruptcy representation and consumer protection. Visit clsphila.org for eligibility information. Philadelphia Legal Assistance, at 718 Arch Street, Suite 300N, Philadelphia, PA 19106, also provides free civil legal help to qualifying individuals. Their website is philalegal.org.
The Philadelphia Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service at (215) 238-6329. Visit philadelphiabar.com for more information. Referrals can connect you with bankruptcy attorneys who offer reduced fees or free consultations. The Pennsylvania Bar Association also has a statewide referral line at (800) 692-7375.
The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas website at courts.phila.gov also provides access to civil judgment records that debtors must disclose in bankruptcy schedules.
Note: Legal aid organizations in Philadelphia set eligibility based on income, typically at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Philadelphia County Bankruptcy Records
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county. All bankruptcy filings for Philadelphia residents go through the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court. For additional resources about court records, related filings, and county-level information, visit the Philadelphia County bankruptcy records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of nearby cities file bankruptcy cases in their own federal district. Select a city to learn about bankruptcy records in that area.