Montgomery County Bankruptcy Records
Montgomery County bankruptcy records are filed with the Western District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court, Roanoke Division. This page explains how to search those records online or by phone, where the local circuit court clerk is located, what fees apply when you file, and what legal resources are available in the county. Whether you are researching a debtor, preparing to file, or checking a prior case, this guide covers what you need to know.
Montgomery County Overview
Montgomery County Bankruptcy Court
Montgomery County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division. All bankruptcy cases from Montgomery County residents and businesses are filed through this federal court. The Roanoke Division office is located at 210 Church Ave. SW, P.O. Box 2390, Roanoke, VA 24010, and the phone number is (540) 857-2391.
The Western District covers the western half of Virginia and uses several divisional offices. Roanoke is the division that handles Montgomery County cases. Chief Judge Paul M. Black presides over the Western District, with James W. Reynolds serving as court clerk. The court handles Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 13 repayment plans, and Chapter 11 reorganizations for businesses and high-debt individuals.
All case filings, dockets, and documents from Montgomery County are accessible through PACER or the free VCIS phone system. Local rules, forms, and filing information are posted at vawb.uscourts.gov.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia |
|---|---|
| Division | Roanoke Division |
| Address | 210 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24010 |
| Phone | (540) 857-2391 |
| Website | vawb.uscourts.gov |
Montgomery Circuit Court Clerk
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's office is at 1 E. Main St. Suite B-5, Box 6309, Christiansburg, VA 24068. The phone number is (540) 382-5760, and the website is at montva.com. This is the state court office that handles local civil and criminal records, land records, probate matters, and marriage licenses. It is a separate system from the federal bankruptcy court.
Montgomery County was incorporated in 1776 from Fincastle, Botetourt, and Pulaski counties. The clerk maintains records going back to 1773, including marriage records from 1777, land records from 1773, probate records from 1773, and court records from 1773. This deep record set makes Montgomery County a rich county for historical legal research. The clerk also offers Secure Remote Access for land records subscriptions.
For state civil case lookups, the Virginia courts free search portal at eapps.courts.state.va.us covers Montgomery County circuit court records. State court records and federal bankruptcy records are separate systems. A judgment entered in Montgomery County Circuit Court might appear as a listed debt in a federal bankruptcy filing, but the records themselves live in different databases.
| Office | Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 E. Main St., Suite B-5, Christiansburg, VA 24068 |
| Phone | (540) 382-5760 |
| Website | montgomerycountyva.gov |
Searching Montgomery County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main tool for looking up federal bankruptcy records. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to register for a free account. Once logged in, search the Western District of Virginia by debtor name, case number, or attorney. Results show the chapter type, filing date, judge assigned, and case status. You can pull the full docket or individual documents like the petition, schedules, or discharge order for $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 per-document cap.
If your total PACER charges stay under $15 in a given quarter, the fees are waived. That makes PACER effectively free for most people doing occasional lookups. For researchers pulling many documents, the fees add up but remain reasonable.
The VCIS automated phone system is a free no-account option. Call 1-866-222-8029 and press 864 for the Western District. This system gives you basic case information including case status, hearing dates, and discharge confirmation by entering a case number or debtor name. It runs 24 hours a day.
Note: PACER generally covers cases filed from 2003 forward. For older Montgomery County bankruptcy cases, contact the Roanoke Division directly or check with the National Archives for records from closed cases.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees in Montgomery County
Bankruptcy filing fees are set by federal statute and are uniform across the Western District of Virginia. They do not vary by county. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 costs $1,738. Payment goes to the federal court at the time of filing.
Chapter 7 filers may qualify for a fee waiver. If your household income is below federal poverty guidelines, you can request the waiver at filing. The request form is part of the standard filing packet. There is no separate charge to apply. The court reviews your income information and grants or denies the waiver.
Forms for the Western District are available at vawb.uscourts.gov. The court uses national bankruptcy forms along with local forms required by the Western District. Read the local rules before filing to avoid procedural errors. The Roanoke Division has specific requirements for document formatting and notice periods.
Montgomery County also sits near the city of Salem, which borders the county. Residents of Montgomery County file in Christiansburg, not Salem or Roanoke, unless they have a business or connection that places jurisdiction elsewhere.
Legal Resources in Montgomery County
Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal assistance to residents who meet income guidelines. Their website at valegalaid.org explains how to apply and what types of cases they handle. Bankruptcy matters involving low-income residents in Montgomery County may qualify for assistance. It is worth contacting them even if you are not sure you meet the income threshold.
Bankruptcy attorneys in the Roanoke area regularly handle Montgomery County cases. The Roanoke Division is the closest federal court, so most local attorneys are familiar with its procedures. The Virginia State Bar runs a referral service that can connect you with attorneys in the area. Most offer a free or low-cost initial consultation.
Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg in Montgomery County. The university's law-related programs sometimes offer legal information resources for community members, though not necessarily full representation. Check with the university or the Roanoke-area legal aid offices for the most current options.
Pro se filing without an attorney is an option for straightforward Chapter 7 cases. The Western District's website has self-help materials. All pro se filers are held to the same procedural rules as attorneys. Mistakes in exemptions, incomplete schedules, or missing forms can lead to delays or case dismissal.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes several communities. Bankruptcy cases from all of them go through the Western District, Roanoke Division. The nearby independent city of Salem has its own bankruptcy records through the same court.
Other communities in and near Montgomery County include Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford. Cases from unincorporated areas of Montgomery County all file in the Roanoke Division.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Montgomery County in southwestern Virginia. Each is also served by the Western District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court.