New Hanover County Bankruptcy Records
New Hanover County bankruptcy records are managed by the Eastern District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court. The Wilmington Division handles federal bankruptcy cases from New Hanover County residents and businesses. As a coastal county with a large population center in Wilmington, New Hanover County sees a steady flow of bankruptcy filings. You can search these records through federal online systems, by phone, and in person at the courthouse. Public access to New Hanover County bankruptcy records is guaranteed under federal law.
New Hanover County Quick Facts
Wilmington Division Serving New Hanover County
The Wilmington Division of the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court handles all federal bankruptcy cases from New Hanover County. The court is at 2 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. All mail for filings goes to P.O. Box 791, Raleigh, NC 27602. Phone: 919-856-4752.
The Wilmington Division serves Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays. The court accepts filings and provides public access to case records. When a New Hanover County resident files for bankruptcy, the case is assigned to this division. A trustee manages the case, and all filed documents become part of the public record.
The New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington keeps state court records. Phone: (910) 341-1300. This office handles civil and criminal matters separate from federal bankruptcy cases.
| Court |
Eastern District of NC Bankruptcy Court Wilmington Division 2 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401 Phone: 919-856-4752 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | nceb.uscourts.gov |
How to Search New Hanover County Bankruptcy Cases
PACER provides the most complete access to New Hanover County bankruptcy records. Register for a free account, then search the Eastern District of North Carolina by debtor name, case number, or filing date. For New Hanover County cases in the Wilmington Division, PACER shows docket sheets, filed documents, claims, and all court orders.
The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly totals under $30 are waived. Parties to a case get one free electronic copy of each document filed in their own New Hanover County bankruptcy case. This makes PACER affordable for most searches.
The VCIS phone line at 866-222-8029 gives free basic case information any time of day. Follow the prompts for the Eastern District. You can get the filing date, chapter, trustee, and case status for New Hanover County cases without a computer.
In person, the Wilmington courthouse has public access terminals where you can search New Hanover County bankruptcy records at no cost. Staff can help you use the system.
New Hanover County Bankruptcy File Contents
All bankruptcy records from New Hanover County are public under 11 U.S.C. § 107. Anyone can view them. You do not need to be a party to the case or give a reason for your search.
A New Hanover County bankruptcy record includes these documents:
- Petition with debtor name and chapter type
- Schedules of assets, debts, income, and expenses
- Statement of financial affairs
- Creditor matrix and proof of claim forms
- Trustee reports and motions
- Discharge or dismissal order
Full Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are hidden from public view. Everything else in the New Hanover County file is open. Debtor names, addresses, employers, debts, and assets are all part of the public record. Wilmington's role as a port city means some New Hanover County business bankruptcy cases involve maritime and trade-related creditors.
Note: New Hanover County business bankruptcy filings under Chapter 11 may contain detailed reorganization plans and creditor committee records.
New Hanover County Government Records
The New Hanover County government website provides information about county services and online record searches. The county offers extensive online services for property records and tax information. The Register of Deeds at 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 102, Wilmington maintains property records for New Hanover County. Phone: (910) 798-4530.
Property liens from bankruptcy cases in New Hanover County are recorded with the Register of Deeds. Trustee deeds, lien releases, and other bankruptcy-related property documents appear in these records. The office has an online search system for looking up recorded instruments from home.
The NC eCourts portal gives access to New Hanover County state court records by name or case number. For historical records, the National Archives stores older federal court files. The North Carolina State Records website also assists with finding bankruptcy records statewide.
Costs for New Hanover County Bankruptcy Records
Getting copies of New Hanover County bankruptcy records has set costs. PACER charges $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Public terminals at the Wilmington courthouse are free. Certified copies from the federal court have additional fees.
At the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court, state record copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $2.00 per certification. An assisted search runs $25.00, while using the courthouse terminal for a self-service search is free. These fees cover state records only, not federal bankruptcy files from New Hanover County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near New Hanover County on the southeastern coast. Check the debtor's address to verify you are searching the right county for bankruptcy records.