Access Norfolk Bankruptcy Records
Norfolk bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division.
Norfolk Overview
Norfolk Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia maintains the Norfolk Division to serve southeastern Virginia. The court is physically located in Norfolk and handles Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases for residents and businesses in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk. Call (757) 222-7500 during business hours to reach the clerk's office. The Eastern District's chief judge is Hon. Brian F. Kenney.
Chapter 7 cases let individuals discharge most unsecured debts after liquidating non-exempt assets. Chapter 13 allows debtors to keep property while repaying creditors through a court-approved plan over three to five years. Chapter 11 is the option for businesses or complex individual cases. Every petition filed with the court gets a case number that tracks the case from initial filing through discharge or dismissal.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia |
|---|---|
| Division | Norfolk Division |
| Phone | (757) 222-7500 |
| Website | vaeb.uscourts.gov |
| VCIS Phone | (866) 222-8029, press 863 for Eastern District |
All forms, local rules, and filing guides are available at vaeb.uscourts.gov. Pro se filers can access everything they need to file a petition without an attorney. The Eastern District also provides information on fee waivers and installment payment options on that site.
Searching Norfolk Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the primary tool for searching Norfolk bankruptcy filings. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or Social Security number. PACER shows dockets, filed documents, and case status. The fee is $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 cap per document. Charges under $15 in a calendar quarter are waived automatically. You need a free account to search.
The Voice Case Information System is free and available 24 hours a day. Call (866) 222-8029 and press 863 for the Eastern District. The automated system gives you case numbers, filing dates, trustee names, and next hearing information. No account is required. This is a good starting point before pulling full documents from PACER.
Norfolk Circuit Court records are available through the Virginia Courts Case Information system at no cost. The Norfolk Circuit Court clerk's office is at 150 St. Paul's Blvd. Call (757) 664-4380 for the clerk. Norfolk's city government has a FOIA portal at norfolk.justfoia.com for submitting public records requests. The FOIA team can also be reached at foia@norfolk.gov.
Heather Tierney handles certain Norfolk FOIA matters at 757-402-7928 or heather.tierney@norfolk.gov. Jasmin Lane is reachable at 757-359-0298, and Cindy Clayton at 757-664-4055. Norfolk responds within five business days, though criminal investigative files may take up to 60 additional working days due to their sensitive nature.
Note: Norfolk's courthouse security does not permit laptops, cameras, or most electronic devices. Call ahead at (757) 664-4380 to confirm what you need to bring.
Norfolk Circuit Court Records
Norfolk Circuit Court is the state court for the city. It handles civil cases over $25,000, all felony criminal matters, family law, land records, and appeals from lower courts. The clerk's office at 150 St. Paul's Blvd. maintains court records including civil case files, land records, and marriage licenses. These records come into play during bankruptcy cases when trustees or creditors research a debtor's financial picture. Records are generally public under Virginia law unless sealed by court order.
In-person access to Norfolk Circuit Court records is available at the clerk's office during regular business hours. The Virginia Courts Case Information system provides free online access to case data. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page, with certified copies requiring an additional $2.00. The city also maintains records through the Norfolk Circuit Court page at norfolk.gov/departments/circuit_court.
Norfolk also has a Records Requests page at norfolk.gov/5147/Records-Requests. This is the starting point for requesting city records outside the court system. Virginia's FOIA, found at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37, governs public records access. Most government records are open unless a specific exemption applies.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees in Norfolk
Filing fees at the Norfolk Division are the same as all Eastern District locations. Federal law sets these amounts, and they apply uniformly across all divisions. Fees can change, so verify the current amounts with the court before filing your petition.
Current standard fees:
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
Chapter 7 filers whose income is below 150% of the federal poverty level can request a full fee waiver using Official Form 103B. Filers who don't qualify for a full waiver can request installment payments with Official Form 103A. The court reviews your income and expenses before deciding. Fee waivers and installments are not available in Chapter 11 or 13 cases. All forms are free to download at vaeb.uscourts.gov.
Legal Aid in Norfolk
Norfolk residents who need free legal help with bankruptcy should contact Virginia Legal Aid. They serve the Hampton Roads area and provide free legal services to qualifying low-income residents. Eligibility is income-based. They handle consumer bankruptcy, debt collection defense, and other financial legal matters. Contact them directly to find out if you qualify.
The Eastern District court's website at vaeb.uscourts.gov has resources for pro se filers, including step-by-step guides, all required forms, and local rule documents. The clerk's office can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. The Virginia Courts self-help page at vacourts.gov covers general court procedures statewide.
Older federal bankruptcy records from before electronic filing are held at the National Archives. For those, visit archives.gov/research/court-records for instructions on submitting a request. PACER covers most cases from 2003 onward. The PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 can help with account setup or questions about searching.
Note: Virginia Legal Aid at valegalaid.org serves the Hampton Roads region and handles consumer bankruptcy and debt matters for qualifying Norfolk residents.
Hampton Roads Area Records
Norfolk is an independent city, and it shares the Norfolk Division of the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court with Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk. For bankruptcy and court records from neighboring Chesapeake, visit the Chesapeake records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Norfolk and also file bankruptcy cases through the Eastern District of Virginia.