Suffolk Bankruptcy Records Lookup
Suffolk bankruptcy records are filed and maintained at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division.
Suffolk Overview
Suffolk Bankruptcy Court
Suffolk residents file bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division. The courthouse is at 600 Granby Street, 4th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510. Reach the clerk's office by calling (757) 222-7500 during business hours. The Eastern District handles all three major bankruptcy chapter types. Chapter 7 cases involve liquidating non-exempt assets to pay creditors. Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five year repayment plan. Chapter 11 is for businesses or individuals with very high debt who need to reorganize.
Suffolk is one of the largest cities by land area in Virginia. Its cases join those from other Hampton Roads cities in the Norfolk Division. The court assigns a unique case number at filing, and that number tracks the case from the initial petition through discharge or dismissal. All filings go into the federal court's electronic records system, accessible through PACER from anywhere with an internet connection.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia |
|---|---|
| Division | Norfolk Division |
| Address | 600 Granby Street, 4th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
| Phone | (757) 222-7500 |
| Website | vaeb.uscourts.gov |
| VCIS Phone | (866) 222-8029, then press 863 for Eastern District |
The Eastern District posts local rules, court forms, and fee schedules at vaeb.uscourts.gov. Petition forms, schedules, and the means test document are available there at no charge. Pro se filers can find step-by-step instructions for filing without an attorney.
Searching Suffolk Bankruptcy Records
The main system for searching Suffolk bankruptcy records is PACER. PACER lets you search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. You can view the full docket, filed documents, hearing schedules, and case status. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If your total PACER charges for a quarter stay below $15, fees are waived entirely for that quarter.
For free basic case status without a PACER account, use the Voice Case Information System. Call 1-866-222-8029 and press 863 for the Eastern District. The automated phone system runs 24 hours a day. It can give you case number, chapter, filing date, trustee name, 341 meeting date, and whether the case is open, discharged, or dismissed. No registration required.
Suffolk's Circuit Court Clerk handles state-level civil records. For those, use the free Virginia Courts Case Information system. It covers Suffolk Circuit Court civil cases from 1992 to present. You can also access civil case records electronically through clerkepass.com, or visit the clerk's office directly at 150 North Main Street. FOIA requests related to court records go to cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us.
Note: Suffolk's Circuit Court Clerk office closes for monetary transactions at 4:30 PM even though the office stays open until 5:00 PM.
Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk
The Suffolk Circuit Court is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Court is Hon. W.R. Carter Jr. The office is at the Mills E. Godwin, Jr. Courts Building, 150 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23439. Call (757) 514-7800 for questions about state civil records. You can also email RCARTER@suffolkva.us or cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us for FOIA requests.
The Clerk's office handles civil and criminal case filings, land records, marriage licenses, and notary services. Many Circuit Court Clerk records are public. You can get copies in person at the courthouse, by making an electronic request through clerkepass.com, by calling, or by mailing a written request. Passport and marriage license appointments must be made in advance.
Suffolk also runs a free Property Notification System. Property owners can register their name and get email alerts when any document with that name gets recorded. This helps catch fraudulent deed transfers early. Ask the Clerk's office about enrollment if you own real estate in Suffolk.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees in Suffolk
Federal bankruptcy filing fees are set by Congress and apply uniformly across the Eastern District of Virginia. The same fees apply whether you file in Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, or any other city in the district.
Current filing fees:
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
- Chapter 11: $1,738
Individuals who cannot pay the full fee at filing can apply to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. If income is below federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for a full fee waiver. Waiver applications are available at vaeb.uscourts.gov. Businesses must pay the full fee at filing and do not qualify for waivers.
Marriage license fees at the Suffolk Circuit Court are $30, and both parties must present valid photo ID. Passport execution fees through the Clerk are $35 by appointment. For certified copies of state court records, contact the Clerk's office directly at (757) 514-7800 for current rates. As of 2023, Suffolk charges for staff time spent performing redactions on FOIA-responsive documents.
Legal Aid in Suffolk
Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income residents in the Suffolk area. They handle consumer bankruptcy cases, debt issues, and related financial matters. Income limits apply and you must contact them directly to find out if you qualify. They can help you decide which chapter fits your situation and assist with filling out the required forms.
The Suffolk FOIA Office is at City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1163, Suffolk, VA 23434. Call 757-514-4100 for questions about city records. You can also submit FOIA requests online at suffolkva.justfoia.com/publicportal. Suffolk's FOIA log is updated daily with request status so you can track where your request stands.
For older bankruptcy cases that predate electronic filing, the National Archives holds transferred files. The Philadelphia Federal Records Center at 14700 Townsend Road serves Virginia bankruptcy courts. Check archives.gov/research/court-records for instructions on requesting those older case files. You will need the accession number and box number from the originating court.
Nearby County Records
Suffolk is an independent city and is not part of any county. Isle of Wight County borders Suffolk to the east and Southampton County lies to the west. Both are in the Eastern District of Virginia. Visit their pages for county-level court and records information.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Suffolk also file bankruptcy cases in the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division.