Search Bibb County Bankruptcy Records

Bibb County holds a unique position for bankruptcy records in Georgia. The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court has its main office right in Macon, which is the Bibb County seat. This makes in-person access to bankruptcy records more convenient here than in most other Georgia counties. You can walk into the federal courthouse on Cherry Street and search records directly on public terminals. Online access through PACER and the free McVCIS phone system are also available for searching Bibb County bankruptcy filings from anywhere.

Middle District Court in Bibb County

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia is headquartered right in Bibb County. The Thomas Jefferson Federal Building at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 is the main office. Phone: 478-752-3506. Since the court sits in Macon, Bibb County residents have the easiest possible in-person access of any county in the district.

Chief Judge Austin E. Carter leads the bench. Kyle George serves as Clerk. The court handles cases from 69 Georgia counties, but its home base is right here in Bibb County. The court information page lists hours, directions, and staff details. A second staffed office is in Columbus at 901 Front Avenue.

How to Search Bibb County Bankruptcy Records

In-person access is a real advantage in Bibb County. Walk into the Macon courthouse and use the public computer terminals for free. You can view dockets and documents without charge. Printing costs $0.10 per page. This is the most direct way to look through Bibb County bankruptcy records without paying online fees.

From home, use PACER. It is the federal court records system, free to register. Search by debtor name or case number, and get access to every document in a Bibb County bankruptcy case. The fee is $0.10 per page. Documents of 30 pages or less are capped at $3.00.

The PACER Case Locator is worth trying if you need a nationwide search. It covers all federal courts. Maybe a former Bibb County resident filed elsewhere. The Case Locator finds it.

McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029 is the free phone option. It runs all day, every day. You get case number, debtor name, chapter type, judge, trustee, filing date, and case status. Select the Middle District to search Bibb County records.

Bibb County Bankruptcy Case Types

As the home of the Middle District court, Bibb County sees a wide range of bankruptcy filings. Chapter 7 cases are the most frequent. These are liquidation proceedings where non-exempt assets are sold and remaining debts get discharged. Most wrap up in three to four months. Under 11 U.S.C., a means test determines eligibility.

Chapter 13 is also common in Bibb County. Debtors pay back what they can over three to five years through a court-approved plan. This chapter lets people keep their property while catching up on past-due payments. Chapter 11 business reorganizations are filed here too, as Macon has a sizable business community. Chapter 12 serves family farmers and fishermen, which applies to rural areas surrounding Bibb County.

Record Fees for Bibb County Cases

PACER charges $0.10 per page for online access. Single documents capped at $3.00 if 30 pages or under. In-person viewing at Macon's public terminals: free. Printing there: $0.10 per page. Since the court is in Bibb County, in-person access is especially practical for local residents.

Copy requests made by mail or in person are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $12.00 each. If you need the court to search for your Bibb County case because you have no number, that's $34.00. Use Form B1320 and pay by money order or certified check to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." McVCIS phone lookups are free.

Note: PACER may waive fees if your quarterly total stays under $30.

Bibb County Exemptions Under Georgia Law

Georgia opted out of the federal exemptions. Bibb County filers use state rules set by O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. Homestead protection is $21,500 for an individual. Married couples may reach $43,000 in the right situation. Vehicle equity: $5,000. Personal property: $5,000 total, each item $300 or less. Jewelry: $500. Work tools: $1,500.

The wildcard exemption is $1,200, and up to $10,000 of unused homestead can be added to it. Bibb County renters benefit most from this combination. Fully exempt income with no dollar limit includes Social Security, veterans benefits, workers comp (O.C.G.A. 34-9-84), unemployment, and alimony or child support. Retirement accounts stay protected.

Bibb County State Records

The Bibb County Clerk of Superior Court manages state-level records. Civil cases, criminal records, property deeds, and liens are on file at the Bibb County courthouse. These records are not part of the federal bankruptcy system but can connect to it. A lien on Bibb County property or a civil judgment might appear in a debtor's bankruptcy schedules. Search state records through the local clerk or the GSCCCA statewide portal.

The image below shows the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court homepage. Since this court is located right in Bibb County, it is the primary resource for all local bankruptcy filings.

Bibb County residents can visit this court in person on Cherry Street in Macon for direct access to bankruptcy case files.

Filing Rules and Archived Bibb County Records

To use Georgia exemptions in a Bibb County bankruptcy, you need 730 days of state residency. That is a full two years. If you moved to Bibb County recently from out of state, you may need to use your previous state's exemption rules until the two-year mark.

Re-filing gaps apply too. Eight years between Chapter 7 filings. Four years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13. Two years between Chapter 13 filings. These limits are set by federal law and apply to all Bibb County residents.

Older cases from Bibb County get sent to the National Archives (NARA). Call the Macon clerk at 478-752-3506 for the reference information you need to order from NARA. Since the clerk is local to Bibb County, you can even ask in person at the Cherry Street courthouse.

Cities in Bibb County

Macon is the main city in Bibb County and the seat of the Middle District Bankruptcy Court. Bankruptcy cases for all Bibb County residents are filed at this court.

Nearby Counties

Bibb County is in central Georgia. These surrounding counties are also part of the Middle District, and their bankruptcy records go through the same Macon courthouse.