Find Bankruptcy Records in Mobile

Mobile bankruptcy records are managed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama. Mobile is the main office for this district, serving 13 counties in south Alabama.

Where to File Bankruptcy in Mobile

Mobile is headquarters for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama. Two bankruptcy judges work here. The court serves 13 counties along the Gulf Coast and into central Alabama.

The courthouse is on St. Joseph Street in downtown Mobile. This is the only staffed location in the Southern District. Selma has a courthouse for hearings only. All filings and mail go to Mobile.

Note that there is no free public parking at the Mobile courthouse. Pay lots and street meters are nearby. Plan for parking costs if you visit in person. For emergencies and court closures, call the recorded line at 1-866-737-5929.

How to Search Mobile Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records in Mobile are public. You can view them online or at the courthouse. Most searches start with PACER.

PACER is the federal records system. Set up a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Searching costs $0.10 per page. Each document is capped at $3.00. Quarterly fees under $30 are waived.

What to have ready for your search:

• Full name of debtor
• Case number if available
• Last four of SSN (optional)
• Filing date range

The free phone system is McVCIS. Call 1-866-222-8029 any hour. Get case status and basic details. No login required.

At the courthouse, public terminals allow free viewing. Print for $0.10 per page. Staff can help locate records. The Bankruptcy Administrator at (251) 441-5577 handles trustee information and meeting schedules.

Electronic Self-Representation in Mobile

The Southern District offers a unique tool. It is called Electronic Self-Representation or eSR. This system helps people who file without a lawyer. It is one of few courts in the country with this feature.

eSR walks you through the forms. It asks questions in plain language. Then it fills in the official documents. You review and file them online. This makes pro se filing much easier.

Find eSR on the court website at alsb.uscourts.gov. Look for the eSR link on the homepage. The system is free to use. You still pay filing fees. But the paperwork becomes simpler.

This tool is great for straightforward cases. If your situation is complex, you may still want a lawyer. But eSR gives Mobile residents an option that few other courts offer.

Types of Bankruptcy in Mobile

Most individuals file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Businesses may use Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. Each type has different rules and outcomes.

Chapter 7 liquidates assets. A trustee sells non-exempt property. The proceeds go to creditors. Remaining debts are discharged. The whole process takes about 4 months. Filing costs $338.

Chapter 13 is a repayment plan. You propose a plan to pay some or all debts over 3 to 5 years. You keep your property. The court supervises payments. Filing costs $313.

Chapter 11 reorganizes businesses. It is complex and expensive. The filing fee is $1,738. Some individuals with high debt use this chapter too.

All bankruptcy papers are public under 11 U.S.C. Section 107. Personal identifiers like full Social Security numbers are redacted. The rest is open to anyone who wants to see it.

Filing Bankruptcy in Mobile

Start with credit counseling. You must take an approved course before filing. Keep the certificate. It goes with your petition.

Next, complete the forms. You list assets, debts, income, and expenses. These are called schedules. You also file a statement of financial affairs. This covers your financial history.

File at the Mobile clerk's office. Pay the fee. You can ask for installments if paying all at once is hard. Low-income Chapter 7 filers may qualify for a fee waiver.

The automatic stay starts immediately. Creditors must stop collection. No calls. No lawsuits. No garnishments. This lasts until your case ends.

About 30 days later, you attend the 341 meeting. The trustee asks questions about your finances. Creditors can come. Most don't. Bring ID and proof of Social Security number.

Complete the debtor education course before discharge. File the certificate. Wait for the court to enter your discharge.

The Bankruptcy Administrator for the Southern District oversees the process. Alabama uses this system instead of U.S. Trustees. Contact them at alsba.uscourts.gov for trustee info and meeting schedules.

Online Resources for Mobile Bankruptcy

The Southern District website at alsb.uscourts.gov has local rules, forms, and procedures. Look for the eSR link if you plan to file without a lawyer.

CM/ECF at ecf.alsb.uscourts.gov is for electronic filing. Attorneys must use it. Pro se filers can use paper or the eSR system.

Electronic Proof of Claim (ePOC) allows creditors to file claims online. No account is needed. It speeds up the claims process.

RECAP Archive at courtlistener.com/recap has some free documents. Coverage varies. Check before you pay for PACER.

PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts at once. Use it if you need to find cases nationwide.

Mobile Bankruptcy Fees

Federal law sets the filing fees. They are the same everywhere:

• Chapter 7: $338
• Chapter 13: $313
• Chapter 11: $1,738
• PACER: $0.10/page, max $3.00/document
• Certified copies: $12.00
• Clerk search: $32.00 per name
• Audio recordings: $2.40 per file

Quarterly PACER charges under $30 are waived. Courthouse terminals are free for viewing. Print for $0.10 per page.

Legal Help for Bankruptcy in Mobile

A lawyer can guide you through bankruptcy. They know local rules. They can protect your assets. Many offer free consultations.

Legal Services Alabama helps low-income residents. Call (251) 433-6560 for the Mobile office. Or use (866) 456-4995 statewide. Visit legalservicesalabama.org.

The Mobile Bar Association has a lawyer referral program. Ask about bankruptcy attorneys. Initial meetings are often affordable.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides and FAQs. It helps you understand the process.

The eSR system makes pro se filing easier in Mobile. If your case is simple, this may be enough. Complex cases still benefit from professional help.

Mobile County Bankruptcy Records

Mobile city is in Mobile County. The county is one of 13 in the Southern District. All bankruptcy cases go through the Mobile courthouse. See the county page for more details.

View Mobile County Bankruptcy Records

Nearby Cities

Mobile is the only major city in the Southern District. Other qualifying cities are in different districts:

• Montgomery - Middle District headquarters (about 170 miles northeast)
• Birmingham - Northern District headquarters (about 250 miles north)
• Dothan - Middle District, hearings location (about 150 miles northeast)