Scranton Bankruptcy Records Lookup

Scranton bankruptcy records are filed through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania, with about 77,000 residents. Scranton is one of the few Pennsylvania cities with a local Middle District bankruptcy courthouse. This guide covers how to access Scranton bankruptcy records through PACER, the local court location, filing options under the Bankruptcy Code, and legal help available in Lackawanna County.

Scranton Bankruptcy Court Location

Scranton residents file bankruptcy cases at the Middle District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court. The Scranton courthouse is in downtown Scranton near the Lackawanna County Courthouse. The Middle District serves northeastern and central Pennsylvania. The court uses CM/ECF for attorney electronic filings and EDSS for pro se document submissions. Self-scheduling is available for certain motions.

The Lackawanna County Courthouse is at 200 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil, criminal, and family matters. The Lackawanna County Prothonotary at (570) 963-6725 maintains civil judgment records. Property records are kept by the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds at (570) 963-6775, located at the same address. Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us to search Lackawanna County state court records. The Middle District also administers an ePOC system for electronic proof of claim filing in Scranton cases.

How to Search Scranton Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the main system for finding Scranton bankruptcy records online. Register for free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Search by debtor name or case number to locate Lackawanna County filings. PACER shows full dockets, filed documents, and discharge status. Fees are $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Accounts under $30 per quarter are not charged. The PACER Case Locator also allows nationwide federal case searches. The VCIS phone line for the Middle District is 1-866-222-8029, extension 48. This free service gives telephone access to Scranton case status.

The Middle District court website at pamb.uscourts.gov provides local rules, judge calendars, and filing guides specific to Scranton. The court also uses ePOC for creditor proof of claim filing and has self-scheduling for certain motion types. Because Scranton has a local courthouse, in-person visits are possible without traveling to Wilkes-Barre or Harrisburg for most filings.

The Middle District court homepage at pamb.uscourts.gov includes Scranton-specific information, local rules, and electronic filing guides for Lackawanna County cases.

Note: Some Middle District bankruptcy hearings may take place in Wilkes-Barre at 197 S. Main Street depending on the judge assigned to the Scranton case.

Bankruptcy Chapters Available to Scranton Residents

Scranton residents file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the Middle District. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts through liquidation. The process takes about four months. The filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 allows Scranton filers to repay debts through a three to five year court-supervised plan and keep their assets. The Chapter 13 filing fee is $313.

Before filing in Scranton, all debtors must complete credit counseling from a U.S. Trustee-approved agency within 180 days. A list of approved providers is available at justice.gov/ust. After filing, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 stops creditor collection actions, foreclosures, garnishments, and lawsuits. The 341 creditor meeting is held 21 to 40 days after filing. Scranton debtors attend locally. Chapter 7 discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 524 typically follows a few months after filing. Exceptions to discharge are listed in 11 U.S.C. § 523.

PACER provides around-the-clock online access to Scranton bankruptcy dockets, claims registers, and filed documents for all Middle District cases.

Exemptions in Scranton Bankruptcy Filings

Scranton filers choose between Pennsylvania state exemptions and the federal exemption set. Pennsylvania state law provides only a $300 wildcard under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8123 and no homestead exemption. Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522 are more protective for most Scranton homeowners. They cover up to $27,900 in home equity, $4,450 in vehicle equity, and $15,000 in household goods. Retirement accounts receive strong federal protection as well.

Scranton filers must choose one complete exemption set. A Lackawanna County bankruptcy attorney can evaluate your specific assets and advise which set is more protective. Scranton-area property values and records can be accessed through the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds to document asset values for your schedules.

Scranton Legal Aid and Bankruptcy Resources

North Penn Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Lackawanna County residents. Their Scranton office handles bankruptcy counseling and representation. Call (570) 829-8940 for intake. Visit northpennlegal.org for eligibility and service details. Eligibility is based on income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

The Lackawanna County Bar Association at 100 Pine Street, Scranton, PA 18509 offers a lawyer referral service at (570) 969-8801. Visit lackawannabar.com for attorney referrals. The Pennsylvania Bar statewide referral line is (800) 692-7375. The University of Scranton at 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510 maintains library resources useful for legal research. Visit scranton.edu for available resources. The U.S. Trustee Program maintains approved credit counseling lists for Scranton Middle District filers.

Note: Scranton is served by the Middle District's VCIS system at extension 48, which is different from the Eastern and Western District extensions used in other Pennsylvania cities.

Lackawanna County Bankruptcy Records

Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County. All Scranton bankruptcy filings are part of the Middle District of Pennsylvania federal court system. For more information about Lackawanna County court records, property records, and related resources, visit the Lackawanna County bankruptcy records page.

View Lackawanna County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

Residents of nearby cities file bankruptcy cases through their own federal district. Select a city below to learn about bankruptcy records in that area.

View Major Pennsylvania Cities