Terms and conditions – Florida Bankruptcy Records set the rules for using this site. By visiting or searching here, you agree to follow every rule on this page.
Our service helps people locate public bankruptcy court filings from federal courts across Florida. We cover case lookups, docket searches, discharge records, and trustee data for all three Florida bankruptcy districts. Read these terms in full so you know your rights, your limits, and our limits before you use the site.
Acceptance of Site Terms
You accept these terms the moment you open our site. There is no separate sign-up or click button. Your visit counts as full agreement to every rule listed below. If you do not accept any rule, stop using the site right away. Acceptance covers all pages, all search tools, and all content linked from our domain. The rules stay active for every visit you make to the site, no matter how you reach our pages.
Agreement to Follow Rules
Each user must follow all rules listed on this page. Rules cover lawful use, data limits, credit laws, and site access. Breaking any rule ends your right to use the service right away. We may take legal steps if rules get broken or if data gets misused.
Updates to Terms
Terms can change at any time without notice. We post new versions right on this page. Your continued use of the site after a change counts as acceptance of the new terms. Check this page often to stay current on the rules that apply to your use.
What This Site Offers
Our site helps you locate public bankruptcy records from federal courts in Florida. We do not hold actual court files. We send you to the right court system or third-party search tool to pull the data. We cover all three Florida bankruptcy districts and all main bankruptcy chapters filed in each court. Users come to us for case lookups, discharge records, trustee names, petition searches, and docket sheet access.
Florida Bankruptcy Court Records
Florida bankruptcy court records include every document filed in a federal bankruptcy case. Each court keeps its own set of records. Records span petitions, schedules, motions, orders, and discharge papers. We point you to the right court clerk or PACER account so you can pull these papers. Records stay public unless a court seals them.
Public Case Lookup Help
Public case lookup lets you search a case by party name, case number, or attorney. Each Florida bankruptcy court runs its own lookup tool through PACER. We explain how to use these tools so you can run a search on your own. We do not run the search for you and we do not sell the data.
Links to Federal Court Tools
We link to websites run by federal courts and approved third-party vendors. Once you click through, you are on their site. We do not control their pages, their content, or their data practices. Read their terms before you use their tools or send them your payment.
User Rules
Every user must follow these rules when using our site. Breaking any rule ends your right to use our pages. We list each rule in simple terms so you know what to avoid. The rules protect you, the courts, and our service.
Lawful Use Only
You agree to use this site for lawful purposes only. You will not break any local, state, federal, or international law while using our pages. You will not use data from this site to stalk, harass, or harm any person. You will not use data for fraud, identity theft, or any crime.
No Harmful Actions
You will not try to hack, break, or disrupt our site or any linked site. You will not upload viruses, malware, or harmful code. You will not attack our servers or try to get past our security. Any such action ends your right to use the site right away.
No Bots or Scraping
You will not run bots, crawlers, scrapers, or scripts on our pages. You will not copy our content in bulk. You will not try to copy our database or rebuild our search results. Manual searches by a human user are fine. Automated or bulk data collection is not.
FCRA Compliance Limits
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets strict rules on how consumer data gets used. Our site falls outside the FCRA. We do not sell consumer reports and we do not act as a credit bureau. You cannot use data from our site in any way that would require FCRA compliance. Breaking this rule ends your right to use the service.
What the FCRA Covers
The FCRA covers credit reports, employment background checks, tenant screening, insurance checks, and loan eligibility checks. Any decision based on a person’s credit, character, or background falls under the FCRA when a third party sells that data. Our site is not a third party in that sense.
What Users Cannot Do
You may not use data from our site to make hiring or firing choices. You may not screen tenants or pick renters based on bankruptcy data. You may not deny credit, insurance, or a loan based on bankruptcy records you found here. You may not deny a license or a government benefit. You may not use the data for any decision the FCRA covers.
Florida Bankruptcy Districts
Florida has three federal bankruptcy districts. Each district covers specific counties and runs its own court system. We list each district so you know which court holds the records you need. You can search any district through PACER or the court’s own lookup tool.
Southern District of Florida
The Southern District of Florida covers Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Highlands, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Hendry counties. Main court locations sit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. The Miami division handles most case filings for the southern part of the state.
Middle District of Florida
The Middle District of Florida covers Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Ocala, and Daytona Beach areas. Main court locations sit in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers. The Tampa division and Orlando division handle the largest case loads. Jacksonville and Fort Myers serve the northern and southern edges of the district.
Northern District of Florida
The Northern District of Florida covers Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Panama City areas. Main court locations sit in Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. The Pensacola division serves the western panhandle. The Tallahassee division covers the eastern panhandle and the capital region.
Bankruptcy Chapter Types
Federal bankruptcy law sets out several chapters for different types of debtors. Each chapter has its own rules, its own forms, and its own set of public records. We cover the three most common chapters filed in Florida bankruptcy courts. Knowing the chapter helps you search the right set of records.
Chapter 7 Records
Chapter 7 covers straight liquidation cases for people and businesses. Most personal bankruptcy filings in Florida fall under Chapter 7. Records include the petition, the schedules of debt and assets, the trustee assignment, the meeting of creditors notes, and the discharge order. We point you to the right court to pull these records.
Chapter 11 Records
Chapter 11 covers business reorganization cases. Some high-income individuals also file under Chapter 11 when they do not qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Records include the petition, the plan of reorganization, creditor lists, disclosure statements, and confirmation orders. Court dockets for Chapter 11 cases often run very long.
Chapter 13 Records
Chapter 13 covers wage earner plans. Debtors keep their property and pay back some or all of their debt over three to five years. Records include the petition, the plan, the schedules, the trustee assignment, and the discharge at the end of the plan. Chapter 13 records often show payment history and plan completion.
How to Search Records
You can search Florida bankruptcy records through several public tools. Each tool pulls data straight from the federal court system. We explain each tool so you can pick the one that fits your search. No tool costs more than the PACER fee set by the federal courts.
PACER System Use
PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is the main federal court search tool for every federal court in the country. You need a PACER account to search bankruptcy records in any Florida court. PACER charges a small fee per page for most documents. You can register for a PACER account on the PACER website for free.
Case Number Lookup
Each bankruptcy case gets a unique case number. The number follows a set format based on the court, the year, and the filing order. You can search by case number on PACER or on the court’s own lookup page. Case number lookup gives the fastest, most accurate search result.
Petition Search
Petition search lets you look up the first document filed in a bankruptcy case. The petition shows the debtor’s name, address, the chapter filed, and the basic debt summary. You can pull the petition through PACER or through the court clerk’s office. We point you to both options.
Docket Sheet Search
The docket sheet lists every filing in a case in order. The sheet shows the filing date, the document type, and the party who filed it. You can pull the full docket on PACER. The docket tells you what happened in the case from start to finish.
Discharge and Trustee Records
Discharge records show when a debtor got a release from personal liability for dischargeable debts. The discharge order is one of the most searched documents in any bankruptcy case. You can pull discharge records through PACER or through the court clerk’s office. The discharge entry on a docket sheet shows the date the court entered the order.
Trustee Records
Bankruptcy trustees handle cases filed under each chapter. The U.S. Trustee’s Office appoints the trustee for each case. Trustee records include the trustee’s name, contact data, and the case they handle. You can pull trustee records on PACER or through the U.S. Trustee’s Office website. We list trustee offices for each Florida district.
Outside Links
We link to websites run by other companies and government agencies. Once you click through, you are on their site. We have no control over what they post or how they treat your data. Review their terms before you use their tools or send them any payment. We do not back their content and we do not take responsibility for their pages.
No Guarantees
We provide this site “as is” with no warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee the data is accurate, complete, or current. We do not guarantee the site will stay online or work without error. Public records change often, so any search result may show old data. We do our best to point you to the right tool, but we cannot promise every search result will match your need.
Accuracy Limits
Court clerks enter data by hand or pull it from filed documents. Errors do happen. Names get misspelled. Dates get typed wrong. Case numbers get listed in the wrong row. We do not fix court data and we cannot verify every search result. Always check the source document before you rely on any record you find through our links.
Public Record Updates
Public records change daily. New cases get filed. Old cases get sealed. Discharge orders get entered. Plans get confirmed. A search result from last week may not match today’s records. Always run a fresh search through PACER before you act on any court data.
Liability Limits
To the full extent the law allows, we are not liable for any harm that comes from using this site. This covers direct harm, indirect harm, lost profits, lost data, or any other type of damage. It covers harm from errors in the data, harm from site downtime, harm from third-party links, and harm from your own use of the data. Our total liability for any claim tied to this site is zero.
Indemnification
If someone brings a claim against us because of your use of this site, you agree to cover our defense costs and any damages we end up paying. This covers claims from your misuse of data, your breach of these terms, or your violation of any law. You agree to pay reasonable attorney fees and court costs tied to the claim.
Content Ownership
The text, images, logos, page layouts, and code on this site belong to us or to our licensors. You may not copy, distribute, change, repost, or build on our content without written permission from us. Brief quotes with proper credit and a link back to our site are fine for personal, non-commercial use.
Termination
We can block or ban any user at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. If you break these terms, expect to lose access right away. We can also take down our site at any time, with or without notice. Sections on liability, indemnification, content ownership, and Florida law stay in force even after access ends.
Florida Law Applies
These terms follow the laws of the State of Florida. Any dispute tied to this site or these terms gets handled in Florida state or federal courts. By using this site, you agree to the personal jurisdiction of Florida courts. You waive any claim that Florida courts are the wrong venue for any case tied to your use of our pages.
Severability
If a court finds that any part of these terms cannot be enforced, the rest of the terms still apply. We will remove or change the invalid part and keep the rest in force. A ruling that one part is unenforceable does not void the whole agreement.
Florida Bankruptcy Court Contact Data
Below is the official contact data for each Florida bankruptcy district. Use this data to call or visit a court clerk’s office. You can also use PACER for most searches without calling the court. Each court keeps regular hours for in-person visits and phone calls.
Middle District of Florida
The Middle District of Florida covers Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Ocala, and Daytona Beach. Main divisions sit in Tampa and Orlando. You can search Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 records through any division office. PACER access covers every case in the district.
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | 801 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 301-5162 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Orlando | 400 W. Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801 | (407) 648-7500 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Jacksonville | 300 N. Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 301-6060 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Fort Myers | 2110 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 | (239) 461-3000 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
Southern District of Florida
The Southern District of Florida covers Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and the Keys. Main divisions sit in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The Miami division handles the largest case load in the district. PACER covers every case filed in the district.
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 400 N. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 | (305) 523-5558 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Fort Lauderdale | 299 E. Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 769-5700 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| West Palm Beach | 1515 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 802-3400 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
Northern District of Florida
The Northern District of Florida covers Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Panama City. Main divisions sit in Pensacola and Tallahassee. The Pensacola division serves the western panhandle. PACER covers every case filed in the district.
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola | 220 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 | (850) 436-6021 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Tallahassee | 110 E. Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301 | (850) 521-5001 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
| Gainesville | 401 SE 1st Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 | (352) 372-4116 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri |
Official Websites
PACER website: pacer.uscourts.gov. Middle District of Florida: flmb.uscourts.gov. Southern District of Florida: flsd.uscourts.gov. Northern District of Florida: flnd.uscourts.gov. U.S. Trustee’s Office for Florida: justice.gov/ust/bfo.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common user concerns about our service, the bankruptcy search process, and the legal rules tied to public records. Each answer gives direct, citation-ready data based on federal court rules and Florida law. Read each FAQ before you contact us so you can solve most issues on your own.
Are Florida bankruptcy records public?
Yes. Most Florida bankruptcy records are public. Federal court rules put bankruptcy filings in the public docket. The public can pull petitions, schedules, motions, orders, and discharge papers through PACER or the court clerk’s office. A judge can seal a case or a specific document. Sealed records stay private and cannot be pulled by the public. Most personal bankruptcy cases stay open to public view from filing to discharge.
Can I search bankruptcy records for free?
You can search the case index for free on PACER. The index shows the case name, the case number, the filing date, and the chapter filed. You pay a small fee to pull the actual documents. The fee caps at a set dollar amount per document. You can also visit the court clerk’s office in person and use the public terminal to search the index for free. The clerk’s office charges a copy fee if you want paper copies.
How long does a bankruptcy stay on a Florida record?
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on a credit report for ten years from the filing date. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays for seven years. The court record itself stays public forever. The court does not remove old cases from PACER. You can search any case filed in the last several decades through the federal court system. Sealed cases stay sealed forever.
Can I remove my bankruptcy from public view?
You can ask the court to seal your case, but the court grants very few seal requests. A judge weighs privacy harm against the public right to access court records. Most personal bankruptcy cases stay public. You can have certain sensitive data redacted from public documents, like Social Security numbers and minor children’s names. Redaction does not remove the case from public view. It just hides specific data points in the filed documents.
Who can access trustee records in Florida?
Trustee records are public. The U.S. Trustee’s Office appoints a trustee for each case. The trustee’s name and contact data appear on the docket. You can pull the trustee assignment through PACER. The trustee files reports on case status, asset sales, and plan payments. These reports are public documents. Some trustee internal notes stay private under federal law.
Does PACER show old bankruptcy cases?
PACER covers bankruptcy cases filed in the federal system since the late 1980s. Older paper records sit at the National Archives and Records Center. You can order paper copies of old cases through the archives. Some very old bankruptcy cases from before 1980 sit in state court systems, not federal courts. Federal PACER does not cover state court filings.
Can I use bankruptcy data for employment checks?
No. Federal law (the FCRA) bars the use of bankruptcy data for employment checks through third-party services. Our site is not a consumer reporting agency. We do not provide data for employment screening. You may not pull data here and use it to hire, fire, or promote a worker. Doing so would require FCRA compliance, which we do not offer. Use a licensed consumer reporting agency for any FCRA-covered check.