Seminole County Bankruptcy Records

Searching for bankruptcy records in Seminole County starts with the federal court system. The Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court handles all filings from this county. Donalsonville is the county seat, but the courthouse there deals only with state court matters. Bankruptcy is strictly federal. You can pull Seminole County bankruptcy records through the PACER website, call the free McVCIS phone service, or visit the Middle District offices in Macon or Columbus. This page explains each option, covers the fees, and points you to the right resources for your search.

Seminole County and the Middle District

All Seminole County bankruptcy cases go to the Middle District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. The court serves 69 counties across central and southwest Georgia. Macon is the main hub, located at 433 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Phone is 478-752-3506. Columbus has a second staffed office at 901 Front Avenue, with a phone number of 706-649-7837.

Seminole County sits in the far southwest corner of the state. The Middle District holds hearings in Albany at the C.B. King U.S. Courthouse, 201 West Broad Avenue. Albany is closer to Donalsonville than Macon or Columbus. However, that office is only staffed during scheduled hearings. For records requests and general help, contact the Macon or Columbus office directly.

Note: Only the Macon and Columbus offices of the Middle District are staffed full time.

How to Search Seminole County Records

The PACER system is the best online tool. Sign up for free. Pick the Middle District of Georgia and search by debtor name or case number. PACER gives you docket sheets, filed documents, and case status. It costs $0.10 per page. The system is up all day and night, so you can search from home at any hour.

If you just need the basics, McVCIS is free. Dial 1-866-222-8029. The automated voice system gives you the debtor name, case number, chapter type, filing date, judge, trustee, and case status. Choose the Middle District of Georgia from the options. McVCIS runs every day of the year.

Use the PACER Case Locator when you need to search across all federal courts. It is helpful when you are not sure which district handled the filing. Type in a name, and the system returns results from every bankruptcy court in the nation.

Fees for Seminole County Bankruptcy Records

PACER costs $0.10 per page for searches, document views, and downloads. The cap for a single document is $3.00 if it is 30 pages or less. At the clerk office, you can view files on public terminals for free. Printing is $0.10 per page.

Copies requested by mail or at the counter run $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $12.00 per document. A search without a case number costs $34.00. You need to submit Form B1320 with your payment. Money orders and certified checks are accepted, made payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash is for in-person payments only.

Seminole County Exemptions Under Georgia Law

Georgia has opted out of the federal exemption list. Filers in Seminole County use state exemptions laid out in O.C.G.A. 44-13-100. The homestead exemption is $21,500. Married couples may double that to $43,000 under the right conditions. Vehicles are protected up to $5,000. Jewelry is $500. Tools of the trade get $1,500.

A wildcard exemption of $1,200 can be applied to any asset. Up to $10,000 of unused homestead exemption can be added to the wildcard. Personal property is safe up to $5,000 total if each item is $300 or less. Income from Social Security, veterans benefits, workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, and unemployment is fully exempt. Retirement accounts are also protected. These rules cover every bankruptcy case filed by a Seminole County resident.

The Middle District homepage above is where Seminole County cases are managed at the federal level.

Bankruptcy Types Filed in Seminole County

Most Seminole County cases are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is liquidation. The trustee sells non-exempt assets and uses the money to pay creditors. Many Chapter 7 cases end up as "no asset" filings. Chapter 13 lets the debtor keep property and repay debts over three to five years under a court-approved plan.

Chapter 12 applies to family farmers and fishermen. In a rural county like Seminole, this chapter comes up more than it does in cities. Chapter 11 is used for business reorganization. All chapters fall under Title 11 of the United States Code. Filing limits apply. Eight years between Chapter 7 cases. Four years from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13. Two years between Chapter 13 cases. The 730-day residency rule also applies for exemptions.

Seminole County Clerk and State Records

The Seminole County Superior Court Clerk in Donalsonville keeps state court records. Civil lawsuits, criminal filings, property deeds, and liens are on file there. These are not bankruptcy records, but they can tie into a case. A lien filed in state court might also appear in a federal bankruptcy filing from Seminole County.

The GSCCCA statewide system lets you search deed records and UCC filings from Seminole County and every other county in Georgia. It is a good complement to the federal search when property or secured debt is at issue in a bankruptcy case.

Archived Seminole County Cases

Very old bankruptcy cases from Seminole County get transferred to the National Archives. You need the case number, accession number, location number, and box number. The Macon clerk office at 478-752-3506 can look those up for you. Once you have that information, NARA processes your order. It takes several weeks. Active and recently closed cases remain on PACER.

Nearby Counties

Seminole County is at the very bottom of Georgia, bordering Florida. Its neighbors are also part of the Middle District. The Albany hearing office is the closest court location, though it is only open for scheduled hearings.