Craven County Bankruptcy Case Search

Craven County bankruptcy records are kept by the Eastern District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court. The county seat is New Bern, and the New Bern Division of the federal court is located right in the city. This makes Craven County one of the easier places in eastern North Carolina to access bankruptcy records in person. You can also search online through PACER or call a free phone line for basic case details. This page explains all the ways to find and review Craven County bankruptcy filings.

Craven County Federal Bankruptcy Court

The Eastern District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court processes all bankruptcy cases from Craven County. The New Bern Division office is at 413 Middle Street in New Bern, NC 28560. This location serves the central coastal region of the Eastern District and handles cases from Craven County and neighboring areas.

Craven County is home to New Bern and the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, which shapes the local economy. Bankruptcy filings from Craven County include both personal cases and small business matters. The presence of a large military installation means some cases involve service members, who have additional protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

All Craven County bankruptcy records are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Anyone can view these files. You do not need a reason or permission to access them.

Note: The New Bern Division courthouse is just blocks from the Craven County state courthouse, making it easy to check both state and federal records in one trip.

How to Search Craven County Records

Use PACER to search Craven County bankruptcy records online. A free account is required. You can search by debtor name, case number, or date range. Documents cost $0.10 per page, with a $3 cap. PACER holds Eastern District records from the mid-1990s to the present.

The Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029 is a free phone option. This service provides basic case information for any Eastern District filing, including Craven County cases. You can hear the filing date, case type, status, and whether a discharge was entered.

For hands-on access, visit the New Bern Division at 413 Middle Street. Public terminals there let you search and view Craven County bankruptcy records at no charge. This is the best option when you want to review full case files or need to look at multiple cases. Staff can help you get started with the system.

Craven County Court Information

The Craven County Clerk of Superior Court is at 302 Broad Street in New Bern. This office maintains state court records, including civil, criminal, and special proceedings files for Craven County.

The state clerk does not keep federal bankruptcy records, but related state court documents may be on file. Civil judgments and property liens from Craven County often connect to bankruptcy cases. The clerk's phone number is (252) 639-3000.

Since the Craven County government site was temporarily unavailable, you can use the state-level NC Courts help page for general information about court records access in North Carolina.

This resource covers the basics of accessing court records across all North Carolina counties, including Craven County.

Types of Craven County Filings

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 make up the majority of Craven County bankruptcy cases. Chapter 7 is a liquidation that wipes out most unsecured debts in three to four months. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan lasting three to five years. Both types create detailed court records in the Craven County case file.

A Craven County bankruptcy record typically contains:

• Petition with debtor information
• Schedules listing all assets and debts
• Income and expense statements
• Creditor matrix with balances owed
• Trustee reports and creditor meeting minutes
• Final discharge or dismissal order

Chapter 11 filings from Craven County are less frequent but do occur, especially from local businesses. These cases generate larger files that include reorganization plans, disclosure statements, and creditor voting records.

Older Craven County Bankruptcy Files

Cases from before the mid-1990s may not be on PACER. The National Archives stores older federal court records, including Craven County bankruptcy files. You can request these records by mail or visit a NARA facility in person.

The NC eCourts portal provides access to state court records for Craven County. While federal bankruptcy cases are not in this system, civil judgments and liens from the Craven County state court may relate to bankruptcy filings. Checking both state and federal databases gives you the most complete picture.

Note: Because the New Bern Division office is in the Craven County seat, older paper records from this court may be easier to locate than records from other divisions.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Craven County in eastern North Carolina. Make sure you search the correct county based on where the debtor was living when they filed.