Search Surry County Bankruptcy Records
Surry County bankruptcy records are handled by the Winston-Salem Division of the Middle District of North Carolina. The county seat is Dobson. Surry County has a population of about 72,700 people and sits in the northwestern part of the state. All bankruptcy cases filed by Surry County residents go through the federal court system in Winston-Salem. This page covers how to search for these records, what they include, and where to find them.
Surry County Quick Facts
Federal Court for Surry County Bankruptcy Cases
Surry County is part of the Winston-Salem Division of the Middle District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court. The court office is at 226 S. Liberty Street in Winston-Salem. All bankruptcy petitions from Surry County are filed in this division. The 341 meetings of creditors for Surry County cases are typically held in Winston-Salem.
The NC Judicial Branch page for Surry County covers state court services. The Surry County government offices are at 118 Hamby Road in Dobson, NC 27017. Rebecca Brintle serves as Clerk of Court at the Judicial Center in Dobson. Call 336-386-3700 for state court questions. Federal bankruptcy matters go through the Middle District.
The Surry County Register of Deeds is Carolyn Comer. Her office at the Judicial Center in Dobson can be reached at 336-401-8150. Property records from this office may connect to bankruptcy filings when liens are released or property changes hands during a case.
How to Find Surry County Bankruptcy Filings
PACER is the best tool for searching Surry County bankruptcy records online. Create a free account to get started. You can search by debtor name, case number, or filing date. The system charges ten cents per page, but the first $30 per quarter is free.
For quick case checks, call the Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029. VCIS is free. It runs 24 hours a day. You can hear filing dates, case status, and chapter type for any Surry County bankruptcy case in the Middle District.
The Winston-Salem court office has public access terminals. Walk in during business hours and use the terminals at no cost to search for Surry County bankruptcy records. Court staff can help you get started with a search on these terminals.
Note: The Surry County District Attorney's office in Dobson at 336-386-3710 handles criminal matters and does not have bankruptcy records.
Contents of Surry County Bankruptcy Records
A Surry County bankruptcy file starts with the petition. It lists the debtor's name, address, and the type of bankruptcy filed. Schedules follow, detailing every asset, debt, income source, and expense. The statement of financial affairs covers the debtor's recent financial history.
Most documents in a Surry County bankruptcy case are public under 11 U.S.C. § 107. This law makes bankruptcy papers open for review. Social Security numbers are partially redacted. Tax returns may have restricted access. But the core of each Surry County case file is available to the public.
Common documents in the file include:
- Bankruptcy petition and schedules
- Means test calculation
- Creditor matrix with names and amounts
- Chapter 13 plan if applicable
- Trustee reports and court orders
- Discharge or dismissal order
Surry County Records and Court Resources
The Middle District court website provides forms, local rules, and filing guides for Surry County cases. The Surry County government website has general county information and office contact details.
The court site includes electronic filing tools and a help email for technical questions about Surry County case access.
For state court records, the NC court records help page covers access options. The North Carolina State Records site offers a bankruptcy records guide that includes Surry County filings.
Historical cases from Surry County may be stored at the National Archives. NARA holds closed federal court files from all districts, including the Middle District of North Carolina.
PACER provides full docket access to every Surry County bankruptcy case in the Middle District.
Court Details for Surry County
Below are the main contact details for the court that serves Surry County bankruptcy filers.
| Court |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Middle District of NC Winston-Salem Division 226 S. Liberty Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Phone: 336-397-7785 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | ncmb.uscourts.gov |
Bankruptcy Chapters in Surry County
Chapter 7 is the most common type of bankruptcy in Surry County. It liquidates non-exempt assets and wipes out most unsecured debts. The process takes about four months. Most Surry County filers keep all their property because state and federal exemptions cover it.
Chapter 13 is the next most common. Surry County filers set up a repayment plan lasting three to five years. This lets them keep their home and car while paying down debt. The court in Winston-Salem must approve the plan. All plan documents and trustee reports are part of the public record in Surry County.
Note: Bankruptcy records stay on a credit report for up to ten years for Chapter 7 and seven years for Chapter 13 filings from Surry County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Surry County. The court division is based on the debtor's home address when the case was filed.