Search Northampton County Bankruptcy Records

Northampton County bankruptcy records are filed with the Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court, Norfolk Division, and are publicly accessible through PACER and a free automated phone line. This page covers how to search those records, what the local circuit court clerk handles, what fees apply when filing a case, and what legal resources are available for residents of Northampton County on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Northampton County Bankruptcy Court

Northampton County is served by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division. This federal court at 600 Granby Street, 4th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 handles all bankruptcy filings from Northampton County residents and businesses. The phone number is (757) 222-7500. The Norfolk Division serves counties on Virginia's Eastern Shore and along the coastal region, including Northampton and Accomack.

All bankruptcy filings from Northampton County go into the federal court system, not the county circuit court. The Eastern District handles Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases. Each filed case gets a unique case number and a public docket listing every document submitted throughout the proceedings. Those records are available to the public through PACER or the VCIS phone line.

The court's website at vaeb.uscourts.gov provides local rules, forms, and contact details for the Norfolk Division.

Northampton Circuit Court Clerk

The Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 5225 The Hornes, P.O. Box 36, Eastville, VA 23347. The phone is (757) 678-0465 and the fax is (757) 678-5410. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk is Hon. Traci L. Johnson. The Civil Division is handled by Deputy Clerk Lauren M. Brown, and the Land Records and Criminal Division is handled by Morgan W. Doughty (mdoughty@vacourts.gov). The clerk can be reached at tljohnson@vacourts.gov.

Northampton County was created in 1634 and was one of the original eight Virginia shires. It was originally called Accawmack County and renamed in 1643. The Clerk of Circuit Court has birth and death records from 1865 to 1888, marriage records from 1706, divorce records, probate court records, and land records from 1865, though some land records trace back to 1632. This is one of the richest record sets in Virginia for historical research.

The clerk's office handles all the typical circuit court functions: processing civil and criminal cases, probating wills, qualifying executors and guardians, recording all land records and deeds, issuing marriage licenses and concealed handgun permits, and managing fiscal responsibilities including court costs and fines. For questions about VADeed Alert or local land records, contact the clerk's office at (757) 678-0465.

State case records for Northampton County are searchable for free at eapps.courts.state.va.us. Federal bankruptcy records are in a separate system and require PACER or the VCIS phone line.

Searching Northampton Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary tool for federal bankruptcy records. Register at pacer.uscourts.gov to set up a free account. Documents cost $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. If total charges stay under $15 in a quarter, all fees are waived. For most people doing a name search or checking a single docket, the searches end up free.

PACER lets you search the Eastern District of Virginia by debtor name, case number, Social Security number (last four digits), or attorney. Results show the chapter type, filing date, case status, and judge. Click into a case to pull the full docket. From there, you can download any individual filing for the per-page fee. Records go back to around 2003.

The VCIS phone line is a free option that requires no account. Call 1-866-222-8029 and press 863 for the Eastern District. The automated system lets you check case status, discharge status, and hearing dates using a case number or debtor name. It runs around the clock.

For older cases that predate electronic records, the National Archives may hold paper records from closed federal cases. Older Northampton County state court records can be found at the Library of Virginia, which can be reached at (804) 692-3500.

Northampton County Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Federal bankruptcy filing fees are set by statute and are the same for every county in the Eastern District of Virginia. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 costs $1,738. These fees go to the federal court at the time of filing and are not set by the county.

Fee waivers are available for Chapter 7 filers whose household income falls below federal poverty guidelines. The waiver request is included in the standard filing packet. No separate application is required and there is no fee to apply. The court reviews your income and decides whether to grant the waiver.

All required forms for the Eastern District are available at vaeb.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy-forms. The court uses national bankruptcy forms along with some local forms specific to the Eastern District. Reviewing the local rules before filing helps you avoid procedural errors that can delay your case.

State court copy fees at the Northampton Circuit Court Clerk are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $2.00 per document for certified copies. Those rates apply to state records only, not to federal bankruptcy filings.

Legal Help for Northampton County Residents

Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal services to residents who qualify based on income. Check their website at valegalaid.org for eligibility requirements and how to apply. Residents of the Eastern Shore dealing with bankruptcy may qualify for assistance. The Norfolk area offices handle cases from this region of Virginia.

Most bankruptcy attorneys who take Northampton County cases practice in the Norfolk area, since that is the division where filings are made. The Virginia State Bar referral service can help you find an attorney. Most bankruptcy lawyers offer a free initial meeting. That first consultation is usually enough to determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 makes more sense for your situation.

The circuit court clerk's office cannot give legal advice. Staff can answer procedural questions and tell you which forms to use, but they cannot advise you on which chapter to file or how to handle a creditor dispute. The Eastern District's website has some self-help materials for pro se filers. Filing without an attorney works best for straightforward Chapter 7 cases with limited assets.

Note: Northampton County is a rural Eastern Shore county. Residents may find it more convenient to work with attorneys by phone or video rather than traveling to Norfolk. Many bankruptcy attorneys handle Eastern Shore cases this way.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Northampton on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Bankruptcy cases from all Eastern Shore counties go through the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division.