Bankruptcy Records in Philadelphia County
Philadelphia County bankruptcy records are filed and maintained by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, meaning the city and county are the same jurisdiction. All bankruptcy cases for Philadelphia County residents are filed at the federal bankruptcy court located at 601 Market Street in Philadelphia. The Eastern District handles a high volume of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings each year. This guide explains how to find Philadelphia County bankruptcy records, search PACER, and understand the filing process in the Eastern District.
Philadelphia County Quick Facts
Philadelphia County Bankruptcy Court
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court handles all Philadelphia County bankruptcy cases. The court is located inside the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse at 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Phone: (215) 408-2800. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, so there is only one bankruptcy filing location for the entire county. All cases, regardless of neighborhood, are filed here.
The court's main website is paeb.uscourts.gov. You can find local rules, judge information, fee schedules, required forms, and electronic filing instructions on this site. Attorneys file electronically using CM/ECF with multi-factor authentication. Pro se filers who are not attorneys use EDSS to submit documents. The court also has an ePOC portal for creditors filing proofs of claim in Philadelphia County cases.
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court at paeb.uscourts.gov processes all Philadelphia County bankruptcy filings from its courthouse at 601 Market Street.
| Bankruptcy Court |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania 601 Market Street, Room 400 Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 408-2800 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | paeb.uscourts.gov |
| County Court of Common Pleas |
Philadelphia County Courthouse 1301 Filbert Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: (215) 686-4000 |
| County Website | courts.phila.gov |
Search Philadelphia Bankruptcy Case Records
PACER is the main tool for searching Philadelphia County bankruptcy records online. Register for free at pacer.gov. Once registered, you can search by debtor name, case number, Social Security number, or tax ID. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly billing under $30.00 is waived. Since Philadelphia County generates a high volume of filings, PACER is the most efficient search method available.
You can also call the Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at 1-866-222-8029, extension 713. This free automated line provides basic case status, filing date, chapter, and trustee information. It works well for quick lookups. For full document access, PACER remains the best option. The court's CM/ECF system gives registered attorneys direct docket access as well.
PACER at pacer.gov is the federal system for searching Philadelphia County bankruptcy filings, dockets, and case documents around the clock.
Note: Court opinions filed in Philadelphia County cases are available free of charge through PACER, making legal research on local bankruptcy decisions accessible at no cost.
Filing Bankruptcy in Philadelphia County
Before filing bankruptcy in Philadelphia County, you must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days of your petition date. The U.S. Trustee Program maintains a list of approved providers. The U.S. Trustee for Region 3 covers the Eastern District and can be reached at (215) 597-4411. Their office is at 633 Chestnut Street, Suite 1880, Philadelphia, PA 19106. You must file your credit counseling certificate along with your petition.
The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313 to file. Low-income filers in Philadelphia County may apply for a fee waiver in Chapter 7 cases using Official Form 103B, or to pay in installments using Official Form 103A. Once your petition is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 takes effect immediately, halting most collection actions including foreclosures, wage garnishments, and creditor calls.
The 341 meeting of creditors is held in Philadelphia, usually 21 to 40 days after filing, under 11 U.S.C. § 341. Since the bankruptcy court is located within Philadelphia County itself, there is no travel burden for local residents. The trustee conducts the meeting and asks questions about your schedules and petition. Most creditors do not attend. Chapter 7 cases typically receive a discharge about four months after filing. Chapter 13 debtors follow a 3 to 5 year repayment plan before discharge is granted.
Philadelphia County Bankruptcy Exemptions
Philadelphia County debtors can choose between Pennsylvania state exemptions and federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522. Federal exemptions protect significantly more property. The federal homestead exemption covers up to $27,900 in home equity, important for Philadelphia homeowners. The federal vehicle exemption protects up to $4,450 in car equity. Pennsylvania's own exemption law at 42 Pa.C.S. § 8123 offers only a $300 wildcard, which provides very limited protection for most filers.
Because Philadelphia has a large and diverse population, asset profiles vary widely among filers. Some residents own significant home equity; others rent and have primarily personal property. Federal exemptions also protect retirement accounts in full, which is important for workers with pension or 401(k) accounts. Your bankruptcy attorney can review your specific assets and recommend which exemption system gives you the best outcome. All claimed exemptions go on Schedule C of your bankruptcy petition.
Legal Help for Philadelphia Bankruptcy Cases
Philadelphia County has strong legal aid resources. Community Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Philadelphia residents. Their office is at 1424 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Services include bankruptcy representation, consumer protection, and housing matters. Visit clsphila.org to apply or learn about eligibility. Income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify.
The Philadelphia Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service at (215) 238-6329. Their office is at 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. They can connect you with a private bankruptcy attorney. Reduced-fee programs are available for qualifying clients. The Pennsylvania Bar Association statewide referral line is (800) 692-7375. For self-help filers, the court's website at paeb.uscourts.gov has required forms, local rules, and guidance for pro se litigants. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas website at courts.phila.gov also has useful resources.
Related Court Records in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia County Prothonotary maintains civil court records including judgments, liens, and civil complaints. The office is at 1339 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, PA 19107, phone (215) 348-7000. You can search records online at courts.phila.gov/prothonotary. Checking for judgments against you before filing bankruptcy is an important step in preparing your schedules.
The Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas at courts.phila.gov maintains civil judgments and other state court records relevant to bankruptcy filings.
The Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds is at City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107, phone (215) 686-6650. Visit phila.gov/departments/recorder-of-deeds for property records, mortgages, and liens. These documents are often needed when preparing bankruptcy schedules that list real estate assets. The Register of Wills at City Hall, Room 180, phone (215) 686-6250, keeps estate records and marriage licenses. Inherited property must be disclosed as an asset in bankruptcy. Visit phila.gov/departments/register-of-wills for estate record access.
Cities in Philadelphia County
Philadelphia County is a consolidated city-county. The city of Philadelphia and the county are the same jurisdiction. All bankruptcy cases for residents of Philadelphia County are filed at the Eastern District courthouse on Market Street.
Philadelphia is the only municipality in Philadelphia County. All bankruptcy filings from the county are handled by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at 601 Market Street.
Nearby Counties
Philadelphia County borders several other counties in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. If you are not sure which county handles your bankruptcy case, check your home address against the district's county list at paeb.uscourts.gov.