Search Dawson County Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records for Dawson County residents are maintained by the federal court system. The county courthouse in Dawsonville does not store these filings. Instead, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia keeps all case files, dockets, and discharge orders. Dawson County is part of the 46-county region covered by this district. You can look up records through PACER online, by phone using the McVCIS system, or by visiting the clerk office in person at the federal courthouse in Atlanta.

Dawson County Federal Bankruptcy Court

All Dawson County bankruptcy filings go through the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. The main office sits at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 1340, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone is (404) 215-1000. The court keeps regular hours from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Chief Judge Hon. Barbara Ellis-Monro leads the court, and Vania S. Allen is the Clerk of Court.

The Northern District runs four offices total. Besides Atlanta, there are locations in Gainesville, Newnan, and Rome. For Dawson County residents, the Gainesville office at the Sidney O. Smith Federal Building is often more convenient than driving to Atlanta. However, all records are accessible from any location in the district. You can also reach case information online through the court website without making a trip to any office.

How to Find Dawson County Bankruptcy Records

The fastest search method is PACER. Set up a free account, log in, and search for any Dawson County bankruptcy case by name or case number. PACER pulls up docket sheets, hearing schedules, filed motions, and discharge orders. The system is live around the clock. Documents are available as soon as the court files them, so you always see the most current information.

Not sure which court has the case? Use the PACER Case Locator. It covers every federal court in the country. One search can tell you where a Dawson County resident filed, even if they filed in another district or state.

McVCIS is the free phone option. Dial 1-866-222-8029 any time of day. Follow the prompts to pick the Northern District of Georgia. You can search by name or case number and get back basic details like filing date, chapter type, judge name, trustee, and case status. No documents come through the phone, but it is a quick way to check if a case exists.

Dawson County Bankruptcy Fees and Costs

PACER charges $0.10 per page. That covers searches, document views, and downloads. The fee caps at $3.00 for any document that is 30 pages or less. Using public computer terminals at the clerk office is free for viewing, but printing costs $0.10 per page.

If you want copies through the mail or in person, the fee is $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document on top of that. When you need the clerk to search for a case and you do not have a number, the fee is $34.00. Fill out Form B1320 and send it with payment. Accept money orders or certified checks payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court."

Note: McVCIS phone searches are always free and give basic case information for Dawson County.

Bankruptcy Types Filed in Dawson County

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 account for most Dawson County filings. Chapter 7 is liquidation where non-exempt property is sold off and most debts are wiped clean. It moves fast, usually finishing in about three to four months from start to end.

Chapter 13 takes longer. Debtors keep their assets but pay debts through a court-approved plan lasting three to five years. This works for people who earn regular income but got behind. Chapter 12 is less common and covers family farmers and fishermen. Chapter 11 handles business reorganization cases. All these case types produce records that are stored in the Northern District system and can be pulled up on PACER. The Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. controls how each chapter works and what records get filed.

Dawson County Exemptions Under Georgia Law

Georgia does not allow the federal exemptions. Dawson County residents must use the state exemption list from O.C.G.A. 44-13-100 when filing bankruptcy. Here are the main ones:

• Homestead: up to $21,500 (or $43,000 for married couples if home is in one name)
• Motor vehicle: $5,000
• Personal property: $5,000 total, $300 per item max
• Jewelry: $500
• Tools of trade: $1,500
• Wildcard: $1,200 plus up to $10,000 unused homestead

Some benefits are fully protected with no cap. Social Security, workers compensation, unemployment pay, veterans benefits, and alimony or child support cannot be touched by creditors in a Dawson County bankruptcy case.

State Records at the Dawson County Clerk

The Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court in Dawsonville does not hold bankruptcy records. That office manages state court matters including civil lawsuits, criminal cases, real estate deeds, and lien filings. These records sometimes connect to a bankruptcy case. For instance, a deed transfer or lien release tied to a Dawson County bankruptcy filing might be on file at the clerk office.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority offers a statewide search for these state-level records. It covers property records, court filings, and notary information across all Georgia counties including Dawson. But for the actual bankruptcy case records, you must go to the federal court system.

The image below shows the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court homepage where Dawson County cases are filed and stored.

This court website provides links to electronic filing, case information, and court procedures for all counties in the Northern District including Dawson.

Archived Records from Dawson County

Old bankruptcy cases from Dawson County get transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration after they have been closed for a period of time. These records are no longer on PACER. To get them, contact the Northern District clerk office first at (404) 215-1000. Ask for the accession number, location number, and box number for the case. You need those details to order from NARA. The process can take a few weeks, so plan ahead if you need older Dawson County bankruptcy documents.

Nearby Counties

Dawson County is surrounded by several North Georgia counties. All fall under the Northern District Bankruptcy Court, and records for each can be searched through PACER.