Washington County Bankruptcy Records
Washington County bankruptcy records are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Greenville Division processes all bankruptcy filings from Washington County. Plymouth is the county seat, but the federal bankruptcy court sits in Greenville. You can search for Washington County bankruptcy records using PACER or by calling VCIS. These tools give access to case filings, docket sheets, discharge orders, and other court documents tied to bankruptcy cases filed by Washington County residents.
Washington County Bankruptcy Quick Facts
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Washington County
Bankruptcy is a federal matter. All Washington County bankruptcy cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Greenville Division of this court serves Washington County along with Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Greene, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, and Tyrrell counties.
The main court phone number is 919-856-4752. Section 341 meetings of creditors for Washington County cases are usually held in Greenville or Elizabeth City. The court office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Washington County residents travel to Greenville for most in-person court business related to their bankruptcy cases.
The Washington County government website provides local information, though bankruptcy filings go through the federal system. The county courthouse at 120 Adams Street in Plymouth handles state court matters and can direct you to the correct federal office.
Note: The Washington County Clerk of Court at (252) 791-4000 can help with state records but does not manage federal bankruptcy files.
How to Search Washington County Records
The best way to look up Washington County bankruptcy records is through PACER. This federal system holds electronic records for cases filed since December 2003. Register for a free account, then search by name or case number. PACER displays the full docket, filed documents, and case status for each Washington County bankruptcy filing.
PACER costs $0.10 per page. Each document is capped at $3.00. Quarterly charges of $30.00 or less are waived. Judicial opinions are free. You can also visit a public access terminal at a nearby federal courthouse to search at no charge.
The official PACER portal is used to search for Washington County bankruptcy records remotely from any location.
Through PACER, you can pull docket reports and view documents for any Washington County bankruptcy case in the Eastern District.
VCIS is another option. Call 866-222-8029 at any hour. This free automated line gives basic case details like the filing date, chapter, trustee, and discharge date for Washington County bankruptcy records.
Washington County Bankruptcy Case Details
Each Washington County bankruptcy file holds a set of key documents. The petition names the debtor and picks the chapter. Schedules list debts, assets, income, and expenses. The means test form shows if a Chapter 7 filing is allowed based on the debtor's income in Washington County.
Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, these records are public. Anyone can view them through PACER or at the courthouse. Some private data like full Social Security numbers is blocked. But the rest of the case file is open to the public. This includes the discharge order, proof of claims, and trustee reports.
Washington County bankruptcy records may also contain:
- Repayment plan proposals for Chapter 13 cases
- Motions to lift the automatic stay
- Objections filed by creditors
- Final discharge order
- Trustee final report and account
The Washington County court page on the NC Judicial Branch site handles state court matters. For federal bankruptcy records, stick with PACER or the Eastern District court.
Bankruptcy Chapters Filed in Washington County
Chapter 7 is the most common filing type in Washington County. It clears most unsecured debts in a few months. A court-appointed trustee reviews the case. In many Chapter 7 filings, there are no assets to sell. The debtor gets a fresh start after the discharge order.
Chapter 13 is the next most common type. It sets up a repayment plan that lasts three to five years. This lets Washington County residents keep their home and car while catching up on past-due payments. A Chapter 13 trustee manages the plan and sends funds to creditors each month. The NC court records page offers background on state court records, though bankruptcy stays in federal court.
Note: Washington County bankruptcy records remain accessible through PACER even after a case is fully closed and discharged.
Washington County Court and Clerk Details
Below is the court contact information for Washington County bankruptcy records. The federal court handles all bankruptcy cases, while the local clerk manages state court matters.
| Federal Court |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of NC Greenville Division 150 Reade Circle, Greenville, NC 27858 Phone: 919-856-4752 (main office) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Local Clerk |
Washington County Clerk of Court 120 Adams Street, Plymouth, NC 27962 Phone: (252) 791-4000 |
| PACER | pacer.uscourts.gov |
| VCIS Phone | 866-222-8029 (free, 24/7) |
Historical Records and Fees
Older Washington County bankruptcy records from before December 2003 may not be on PACER. Contact the clerk's office in writing for a records search. The fee is $30.00 per search plus $0.50 per page for copies. Very old records may have been sent to the National Archives. NARA stores federal court records that the local court no longer keeps. You can request copies from NARA by mail or through their website.
The North Carolina State Records guide provides an overview of bankruptcy filing data across the state, including Washington County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are close to Washington County. Make sure you know which county you live in before filing a bankruptcy case, as the court division may differ.