Martinsville Bankruptcy Records Lookup
Martinsville bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia, Lynchburg Division, with administrative matters routed through the Roanoke office.
Martinsville Overview
Martinsville Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia handles bankruptcy filings for Martinsville. The Lynchburg Division covers this region, and administrative matters are routed through the Roanoke office at 210 Church Ave. The Western District's chief judge is Hon. Paul M. Black, and the clerk is James W. Reynolds. Call (540) 857-2391 for the Roanoke office, which handles general inquiries for the Western District.
Chapter 7 cases in Martinsville involve liquidating non-exempt assets to discharge debts. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan of three to five years, allowing debtors to keep assets like a home or vehicle while catching up on arrears. Chapter 11 is available primarily for businesses or individuals with very high debt loads. Each case filed at the court gets a permanent case number used throughout all proceedings.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia |
|---|---|
| Division | Lynchburg Division (Roanoke admin office) |
| Roanoke Address | 210 Church Ave., P.O. Box 2390, Roanoke, VA 24010 |
| Phone | (540) 857-2391 |
| Website | vawb.uscourts.gov |
| VCIS Phone | (866) 222-8029, press 864 for Western District |
All petition forms, local rules, and filing guides for the Western District are available at vawb.uscourts.gov. Pro se filers can find everything they need there, including instructions for requesting fee waivers and installment payment plans.
Searching Martinsville Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the primary search tool for Martinsville bankruptcy records. You can search by party name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER shows full dockets, filed documents, and case status for all active and closed cases in the Western District. The fee is $0.10 per page. Charges under $15 in a quarter are waived. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to get started.
For a free phone-based case status check, call the VCIS at (866) 222-8029 and press 864 for the Western District. The automated system provides case numbers, filing dates, trustee names, and hearing schedules. It runs 24 hours a day. You don't need a PACER account to use it, so this is a quick way to confirm whether a case exists before logging in.
State court records for Martinsville are held by the Henry County Circuit Court, which serves both Henry County and the City of Martinsville. Search those records through the Virginia Courts Case Information system or by calling (276) 634-4880. State records include civil judgments, liens, property records, and other instruments that often intersect with bankruptcy filings.
Note: Martinsville city records from 1928 (year of incorporation) are available through the city's records office and Circuit Court clerk.
Filing Fees for Martinsville Cases
Federal bankruptcy filing fees are uniform across all divisions of the Western District. These fees apply to Martinsville cases the same as any other location served by the Western District court. The amounts are set by Congress and the Judicial Conference and can change over time.
Current standard filing fees:
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
Chapter 7 filers with income below 150% of the federal poverty line can apply to have the filing fee waived using Official Form 103B. Filers who don't qualify for a full waiver can pay in installments using Official Form 103A. Neither option is available for Chapter 11 or 13 cases. Both forms are available at vawb.uscourts.gov. Confirm current fee amounts with the court before filing, as fees can be updated.
Martinsville City Records and FOIA
Martinsville maintains its own city records going back to 1928, when it became an independent city. The city's FOIA Officer is Kaylin Hernandez. You can reach her at khernandez@martinsvilleva.gov or by phone at (276) 403-5067. FOIA requests submitted to the city must get a response within five working days. The city may take seven more days if the request is complex or involves large volumes of records.
For city records through a subscription service, contact (276) 403-5105 for information about the Records Management System. FOIA fees for Martinsville are based on actual costs. The city charges for staff time, copying, and any other costs involved in producing records. A deposit may be required if the estimated cost exceeds $200.
The Henry County Circuit Court at (276) 634-4880 holds court records for both Henry County and the City of Martinsville. Civil case files, land records, marriage licenses, and other instruments are maintained there. Note that Martinsville's city records do not include school records, which are managed separately. For court records, the Virginia Courts Case Information system provides free online access.
Legal Aid in Martinsville
If you need legal help with bankruptcy in Martinsville and can't afford a lawyer, Virginia Legal Aid offers free assistance to qualifying low-income residents. They handle consumer bankruptcy, debt relief, and related financial legal matters. Contact them directly to check eligibility based on income. Their services cover the Martinsville area as part of their southwestern Virginia coverage region.
The Western District Bankruptcy Court publishes local rules and procedures on its website at vawb.uscourts.gov. Pro se filers can find step-by-step guides, all required forms, and fee information there. The court clerk can answer general procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice.
For older bankruptcy records that predate electronic filing, the National Archives holds historical federal court files. See archives.gov/research/court-records for how to request those records. For cases from 2003 forward, PACER has the most complete and current information.
Note: The Western District VCIS at (866) 222-8029, press 864, provides free 24-hour case status without requiring a PACER account.
Henry County Records
Martinsville shares its Circuit Court with Henry County, which surrounds the city. Both jurisdictions file bankruptcy cases in the Western District of Virginia. Henry County court records, land records, and related resources are available through the Circuit Court clerk at (276) 634-4880.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Martinsville and also file bankruptcy cases through the Western District of Virginia.