Stephens County Bankruptcy Records Search

Stephens County bankruptcy records are kept by the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court. Toccoa is the county seat, but you will not find bankruptcy filings at the Stephens County courthouse. All bankruptcy cases in this part of Georgia go through the federal system. Whether you need to search for a specific filing, get copies of court documents, or check the status of a case, the tools and offices covered on this page can help. Searching online through PACER is the fastest route, though phone and in-person options are also available for Stephens County records.

Northern District Court Serving Stephens County

The Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court handles all filings from Stephens County. The main office is in Atlanta at 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 1340, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone is (404) 215-1000. The court also has a divisional office in Gainesville, which is closer to Toccoa than Atlanta. The Gainesville office is at the Sidney O. Smith Federal Building.

Chief Judge Barbara Ellis-Monro heads the Northern District. Vania S. Allen is the Clerk of Court. Both locations are open Monday through Friday. Public computer terminals at either office let you view Stephens County bankruptcy records at no cost. Printing from those terminals is $0.10 per page.

The case information page on the Northern District website has details about how to access records, file documents, and contact staff.

Searching for Stephens County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary search tool. It is free to set up an account. Once you log in, select the Northern District of Georgia. Search by debtor name or case number. PACER returns the full docket, every document on file, and the current status of the case. The cost is $0.10 per page for views and downloads. It runs 24/7.

For a broader search, the PACER Case Locator checks every federal court in the country. Enter a name and it finds matching bankruptcy cases from any district. This is useful when someone may have filed in a different state or district before moving to Stephens County.

McVCIS is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 and follow the prompts. The automated system tells you the debtor name, case number, filing date, chapter, judge, trustee, and case status. Pick the Northern District of Georgia to search for Stephens County cases. The line works around the clock.

Fees for Stephens County Records

PACER is $0.10 per page. Documents capped at $3.00 for 30 pages or less. Viewing at clerk office terminals is free.

Copies by mail or at the counter cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $12.00 extra each. The court charges $34.00 to search when you don't have a case number. Use Form B1320 and submit payment to the clerk. Money orders and certified checks are the standard methods. Make them out to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Cash is accepted at the walk-in window only.

Stephens County Bankruptcy Exemptions

Georgia does not allow filers to use the federal exemption list. Instead, O.C.G.A. 44-13-100 controls what Stephens County residents can protect. The homestead exemption is $21,500. A married couple may protect $43,000 if the property is in one spouse's name. The vehicle exemption is $5,000. Jewelry is $500. Work tools are safe up to $1,500.

The wildcard exemption of $1,200 applies to any type of property. Up to $10,000 in unused homestead value can be added. Personal property totaling $5,000 is protected when no single item tops $300. Fully exempt income includes workers' compensation under O.C.G.A. 34-9-84, Social Security, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, and alimony or child support. Retirement accounts are protected as well. Stephens County filers must have lived in Georgia for 730 days to claim these exemptions.

The Northern District case information page shown above outlines how to access records for Stephens County and the rest of the district.

Filing Types in Stephens County

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common bankruptcy filings here. Chapter 7 is liquidation. The trustee sells non-exempt assets and pays creditors with the proceeds. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that runs three to five years. The debtor keeps their assets and makes scheduled payments.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. Chapter 12 covers family farmers and fishermen. Stephens County has a mix of rural and small-town residents, so both Chapter 12 and Chapter 7 filings appear in the records. All fall under Title 11 of the United States Code. Repeat filing limits are eight years for Chapter 7 to Chapter 7, four years for Chapter 7 to Chapter 13, and two years between Chapter 13 cases.

Stephens County Clerk Office

The Stephens County Superior Court Clerk in Toccoa maintains state court records only. Civil cases, criminal filings, deeds, and liens are kept there. These are not bankruptcy records. But liens from state court or property deed changes can relate to a federal bankruptcy filing from Stephens County. Cross-checking both systems gives a more complete view.

The GSCCCA statewide portal lets you search deed and lien records from Stephens County online. Use it to find property transfers or UCC filings that connect to a bankruptcy case.

Archived Cases from Stephens County

Old bankruptcy cases move to the National Archives once they have been closed for some time. You need the case number, accession number, location number, and box number to order from NARA. Call the Atlanta office at (404) 215-1000 or the Gainesville office to get those details. Active and recently closed Stephens County cases remain on PACER.

Note: NARA requests take several weeks to process, so plan accordingly.

Nearby Counties

Stephens County is in northeast Georgia near the South Carolina border. Its neighbors are all served by the Northern District. The Gainesville divisional office is the closest staffed court location for this area.