New Kent County Bankruptcy Records
New Kent County bankruptcy records are filed with the Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court, Richmond Division, and are available to the public through PACER and a free phone-based system. This page explains how to search those records, what tools are available, where the local circuit court clerk is located, what filing fees apply, and what legal help is available to New Kent County residents dealing with bankruptcy.
New Kent County Overview
New Kent County Bankruptcy Court
New Kent County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. All bankruptcy cases from New Kent County go to the Richmond Division office at 701 East Broad Street, Suite 4000, Richmond, VA 23219. The phone number is (804) 916-2400. The federal court is separate from the county circuit court, and bankruptcy records are held in the federal system, not at the county level.
The Eastern District handles Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Every case gets a case number and a public docket that records every document filed throughout the proceedings. Those dockets, along with the actual filed documents, are accessible through PACER. The court's website at vaeb.uscourts.gov has the local rules, forms, and contact details for the Richmond Division.
New Kent County was incorporated in 1654 from York County and has long been part of the Richmond area's legal region. Cases from the county have always been handled close to Richmond, and the Richmond Division is the logical division for this county's proximity to the capital.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia |
|---|---|
| Division | Richmond Division |
| Address | 701 East Broad Street, Suite 4000, Richmond, VA 23219 |
| Phone | (804) 916-2400 |
| Website | vaeb.uscourts.gov |
New Kent Circuit Court Clerk
The New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's office is at 12001 Courthouse Circle, Box 98, New Kent, VA 23124. The phone number is (804) 966-9520. This is the state-level office that maintains county civil and criminal case records, land records, marriage licenses, and probate files. It is a separate system from the federal bankruptcy court and does not hold federal bankruptcy filings.
State civil case records for New Kent County can be searched for free through the Virginia courts public portal at eapps.courts.state.va.us. That search covers circuit court civil and criminal cases including judgments, which can be relevant when researching a person's financial background. Civil judgments in New Kent County Circuit Court may appear as listed debts in a federal bankruptcy petition.
Standard copy fees at the circuit court are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $2.00 per document. Requests can be made in person during office hours or by mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment when mailing a request.
| Office | New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 98, New Kent, VA 23124 |
| Phone | (804) 966-9520 |
| Website | newkentcountyva.gov |
How to Search New Kent Bankruptcy Records
The main search tool for federal bankruptcy records is PACER. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Once logged in, you can search the Eastern District of Virginia by debtor name, case number, or attorney name. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents you view or download, with a $3.00 cap per document. If your total charges stay below $15 in a quarter, fees are waived. Many searches end up being free.
Through PACER you can pull the full docket for any New Kent County case. The docket lists every filing in order, from the initial petition through the final disposition. You can download individual filings like the bankruptcy schedules, the creditor matrix, any motions filed, and the discharge order. Dockets typically cover cases from around 2003 forward.
The free alternative is the VCIS automated phone line. Call 1-866-222-8029 and press 863 for the Eastern District. No account needed. The system lets you check case status, discharge information, and hearing dates by entering a case number or debtor name. It runs 24 hours a day at no charge.
For older cases that predate electronic records, contact the Richmond Division directly at (804) 916-2400. The National Archives may also hold paper records from older closed cases.
New Kent County Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Federal bankruptcy filing fees are set by statute and do not vary by county. In the Eastern District of Virginia, Chapter 7 costs $338, Chapter 13 costs $313, and Chapter 11 costs $1,738. These fees are paid to the federal court at the time of filing and are not set or collected by New Kent County.
Chapter 7 filers who cannot afford the fee can apply for a waiver at filing. The eligibility threshold is based on federal poverty guidelines for your household size. The waiver form is part of the standard filing packet. No separate application is required, and there is no fee to apply for the waiver. The court reviews your income and decides whether to grant it.
Required forms are at vaeb.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy-forms. The Eastern District uses both national bankruptcy forms and some local forms. Read the local rules at vaeb.uscourts.gov before filing to understand specific requirements for document format, notice periods, and hearing procedures.
Legal Resources for New Kent County
Virginia Legal Aid can provide free legal assistance to New Kent County residents who meet income requirements. Their website is at valegalaid.org. They handle bankruptcy matters for qualifying low-income individuals and can help you understand your options before you decide how to proceed.
New Kent County is close to Richmond, which has a strong concentration of bankruptcy attorneys. Most of those attorneys handle New Kent County cases. If you need to find an attorney, the Virginia State Bar's referral service is a good starting point. Most bankruptcy attorneys offer a free initial consultation where they review your situation and explain your options. That first meeting usually costs nothing and gives you a clear picture of where you stand.
Pro se filing without an attorney is available. The Eastern District website has self-help materials for pro se filers. The same procedural rules that apply to attorneys apply to pro se filers as well. For a simple Chapter 7 with clear debts and no property complications, self-filing is more manageable. Cases involving real estate, business assets, or previous dismissed filings are harder to handle alone.
Under Virginia Code ยง 2.2-3700, state records held by the New Kent Circuit Court Clerk are subject to public access. Federal bankruptcy records are governed by federal law and are accessed through PACER, not Virginia FOIA.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near New Kent County in eastern Virginia. All use the Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court.