Access Barrow County Bankruptcy Records

Barrow County bankruptcy records are maintained by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, not the local courthouse in Winder. All bankruptcy filings from Barrow County go through the federal system, where they become public records available to anyone. Whether you need to check a Chapter 7 liquidation or a Chapter 13 repayment plan, you can search Barrow County bankruptcy cases through PACER online, the McVCIS phone system, or by visiting a federal clerk office in the Atlanta area.

Barrow County Bankruptcy Search Methods

PACER is the go-to resource. It is an online portal that gives access to every federal court record in the country, including all Barrow County bankruptcy cases. You create a free account, select the Northern District of Georgia, and search by name or case number. The system returns full docket sheets, filed documents, hearing dates, and case status. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The cost is $0.10 per page. A single document of 30 pages or fewer has a $3.00 cap. So most standard Barrow County filings cost just a few dollars to view and download.

Want something free? Call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029. This automated phone line gives you basic case data: debtor name, case number, chapter type, judge, trustee, filing date, and current status. Pick the Northern District of Georgia when the menu comes up. McVCIS runs all day, every day.

The PACER Case Locator is another useful tool. It searches all federal courts at once. If someone from Barrow County filed for bankruptcy in another state, this tool finds it.

Northern District Court for Barrow County

The Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court handles Barrow County. The main courthouse is in Atlanta at 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 1340, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone is (404) 215-1000. Court hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Gainesville has a divisional office that may be closer for some Barrow County residents. The court also operates from Newnan at (678) 423-3000 and Rome at (706) 291-5639. Chief Judge Barbara Ellis-Monro and Clerk of Court Vania S. Allen oversee the district. Visit the case information page for links to search tools and filing instructions that apply to Barrow County cases.

Exemptions in Barrow County Bankruptcy

Georgia uses its own exemption system. Federal exemptions are not available to Barrow County filers. O.C.G.A. 44-13-100 controls what property you can keep. Home equity is protected up to $21,500. A married couple filing together can shield up to $43,000 under certain conditions.

Other protections for Barrow County residents in bankruptcy:

• Motor vehicle: $5,000 in equity
• Personal property: $5,000 total (no single item over $300)
• Jewelry: $500
• Tools of the trade: $1,500
• Wildcard: $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead

Certain income streams are fully exempt with no dollar cap. Social Security, unemployment benefits, workers compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, veterans benefits, and alimony or child support cannot be touched. Retirement accounts are protected too. These exemptions apply to all Barrow County bankruptcy cases under Georgia law.

Barrow County Clerk Office

Janie J. Jones serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Barrow County. The office is at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Suite B, Winder, GA 30680. Call (770) 307-3035 for information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Barrow County Clerk of Court website has details on the office and its services.

The clerk manages state court records: civil cases, criminal filings, deeds, and liens. Bankruptcy is federal and is not at this office. But state records from Barrow County can relate to a bankruptcy case. A mortgage or lien on local property might appear in a debtor's federal filing. To search state records across Georgia, use the GSCCCA.

Below is the Barrow County Clerk of Court website, where you can find state court records and office contact details for the Winder location.

State records from Barrow County are separate from the federal bankruptcy system but can provide useful context.

Barrow County Bankruptcy Record Costs

PACER charges $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap for smaller documents. Public terminals at the clerk office let you view for free and print for $0.10. Copy requests by mail or in person run $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $12.00 per document.

Don't have a case number? A records search is $34.00. Fill out Form B1320 and send it to the clerk. Payment by money order or certified check to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Phone lookups through McVCIS are completely free for Barrow County records.

Filing Requirements and Archived Cases

Barrow County residents must have lived in Georgia for 730 days to use the state's exemptions in bankruptcy. If you moved here less than two years ago, your previous state's rules may still apply. Under 11 U.S.C., re-filing limits are strict. Eight years between Chapter 7 filings. Four years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13. Two years between Chapter 13 filings.

Closed cases from Barrow County eventually go to the National Archives (NARA). Contact the Northern District clerk at (404) 215-1000 for the accession and box numbers needed to order from NARA. Expect several weeks for archived case delivery.

Note: PACER accounts that stay under $30 in charges per quarter may have fees waived entirely.

Nearby Counties

Barrow County sits east of metro Atlanta. These adjacent counties are also part of the Northern District of Georgia for bankruptcy purposes.