Search Cobb County Bankruptcy Records

Cobb County bankruptcy records are maintained by the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court in Atlanta. Marietta is the county seat. Cobb County is one of the most populous counties in Georgia, and the volume of bankruptcy filings reflects that. All of these cases go through the federal system. The Cobb County Superior Court does not handle bankruptcy matters. Whether you are looking for a specific case filing, a docket sheet, court orders, or discharge documents, the federal bankruptcy court is where you need to go. This guide covers online searches through PACER, in-person access at the Atlanta courthouse, free phone lookups, fees for copies, and the state exemption rules that affect Cobb County filers.

Cobb County Federal Bankruptcy Court

The Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court covers Cobb County along with 45 other counties. The main courthouse is the Richard B. Russell Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 1340, Atlanta, GA 30303. Cobb County borders Fulton County, so the Atlanta office is a short drive from Marietta. Phone is (404) 215-1000.

Vania S. Allen is the clerk of court. Chief Judge Barbara Ellis-Monro leads the district. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-in visitors can use public computer terminals to look up and view Cobb County bankruptcy records at no charge. If you need to print anything or get copies, the staff at the window can help with that too.

Online Access to Cobb County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the standard way to search for Cobb County bankruptcy records online. It is the official electronic access system for all federal courts. Registration is free. Once logged in, you can search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number (if you are a party to the case). Every filing in a Cobb County case appears: the petition, schedules, motions, orders, meeting of creditors notices, and the final discharge or dismissal. Cost is $0.10 per page.

The PACER Case Locator is a nationwide search tool. It checks all federal bankruptcy, district, and appellate courts. This is the right starting point when you know a name but are not sure which court handled the case. Cobb County has a lot of people who moved here from other states, so prior filings from other jurisdictions may show up.

For phone access, call McVCIS at 1-866-222-8029. It is free and works around the clock. Pick the Northern District of Georgia, then search by name or case number. You get the debtor name, filing date, case number, chapter, judge, attorney, trustee, asset status, and current case status. No documents, but it is a fast way to check on a Cobb County filing.

Fees for Cobb County Bankruptcy Records

Here is what it costs to get Cobb County bankruptcy records:

• PACER online: $0.10 per page for viewing and downloads
• Clerk office public terminals: free to view, $0.10 per page for printing
• In-person or mail copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: add $12.00 per document
• Court search (no case number): $34.00 using Form B1320

Payment goes to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court" by money order or certified check. Cash is accepted for walk-in requests. McVCIS is completely free.

Types of Cobb County Bankruptcy Filings

The Bankruptcy Code under Title 11 U.S.C. governs all cases from Cobb County. Chapter 7 liquidation is the most common individual filing type. A trustee reviews assets, sells anything that is not exempt, and the debtor receives a discharge of qualifying debts. In Cobb County, many Chapter 7 cases are no-asset filings that resolve within a few months.

Chapter 13 is also heavily used. This chapter lets the debtor keep their house, car, and other property while paying back debts over three to five years through a court-approved plan. It is popular among Cobb County homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage but have enough income to catch up. The trustee collects monthly payments and distributes them to creditors on a schedule.

Chapter 11 covers business reorganizations. Given the number of businesses in Cobb County, these filings are more common here than in rural parts of the state. Chapter 12 applies to family farmers and fishermen. All chapters create public records in the federal court system. A debtor cannot file Chapter 7 again within eight years of a prior Chapter 7 discharge.

Exemptions for Cobb County Bankruptcy Filers

Georgia requires filers to use state exemptions instead of the federal ones. Under O.C.G.A. 44-13-100, the homestead exemption is $21,500. Married couples filing jointly may protect up to $43,000 if the property is in one spouse's name. Vehicles are exempt up to $5,000. Tools of the trade up to $1,500. Jewelry up to $500. Personal property up to $5,000 total with a $300 limit per item.

The wildcard exemption provides $1,200 plus up to $10,000 of unused homestead exemption. Income from Social Security, unemployment, veterans benefits, workers' compensation per O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, alimony, and child support is fully exempt. Retirement accounts are also protected. A 730-day Georgia residency requirement must be met before filing. This can matter for Cobb County residents who recently moved from another state.

Archived Cobb County Bankruptcy Cases

Once a Cobb County bankruptcy case has been closed long enough, the court transfers it to the National Archives and Records Administration. It leaves PACER at that point. To get copies, contact the Northern District clerk at (404) 215-1000. Ask for the accession number, location number, and box number. Then order directly from NARA using their online request process.

Cobb County State Court Records

The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk in Marietta manages state-level records: civil lawsuits, criminal cases, property deeds, and liens. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides a statewide search for these records. When a Cobb County bankruptcy involves real property, liens, or judgments from state court, checking both GSCCCA and PACER gives the complete picture.

Visit the Northern District case information page for local rules, forms, and procedures that apply to all Cobb County filings.

Nearby Counties

Cobb County is in the northwest Atlanta metro area. All neighboring counties are in the Northern District for bankruptcy matters.