Tuscaloosa Bankruptcy Records Lookup
Tuscaloosa bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama. Tuscaloosa has its own divisional office in the Richard Shelby Federal Building.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Where to File Bankruptcy in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa has a local bankruptcy court office. The Western Division of the Northern District operates here. You do not need to travel to Birmingham. The local office handles everything.
The court is in the Richard Shelby Federal Building on University Boulevard. This is near the University of Alabama campus. Staff accept filings and answer questions during business hours.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama - Western Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 2005 University Boulevard Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 561-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | alnb.uscourts.gov |
The Western Division serves nine counties. These include Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Walker, and Winston. Residents of these counties can file locally in Tuscaloosa.
How to Search Tuscaloosa Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy records are public by federal law. You can search online or visit the courthouse. PACER is the most common way to access them.
PACER lets you search from any computer. Register free at pacer.uscourts.gov. Searches cost $0.10 per page. Documents cap at $3.00 each. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived.
What you need for a search:
- Debtor name
- Case number (if known)
- Last four digits of Social Security number
- Date range for the filing
McVCIS offers free phone access. Call 1-866-222-8029 at any time. The automated system provides basic case info. No account is needed.
The Tuscaloosa courthouse has public terminals. View any record for free. Print for $0.10 per page. Staff can assist with searches.
Tuscaloosa and the University
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. The campus is nearby the federal building. Students and university employees make up a large part of the population. Some face financial challenges.
Student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy except in rare cases. But other debts can be. Credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans qualify for discharge. Many young people in Tuscaloosa find bankruptcy helps them get a fresh start.
The university brings jobs to Tuscaloosa. It also brings economic cycles. Game day weekends boost local businesses. But the off-season can be slow. Restaurants, shops, and service providers sometimes struggle. Bankruptcy gives them options.
Types of Bankruptcy in Tuscaloosa
Chapter 7 wipes out most debts. A trustee checks your assets. Exempt property stays with you. Non-exempt items may be sold. The fee is $338. Cases usually wrap up in 4 months.
Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan. You keep your house and car. You pay what you can over 3 to 5 years. It costs $313 to file. This works well for people with steady jobs.
Chapter 11 reorganizes businesses. It is complex and costs $1,738. Some high-debt individuals use it too. Records for these cases are extensive.
Under 11 U.S.C. Section 107, bankruptcy papers are public. Some personal details get redacted. But anyone can view the basic case information.
Filing Bankruptcy in Tuscaloosa
Credit counseling comes first. Take an approved course before you file. Keep the certificate. You will need it for your petition.
Complete the paperwork next. You list every asset and debt. You report income and expenses. The forms are called schedules. You also complete a statement of financial affairs.
File at the Tuscaloosa clerk's office. Pay the fee or request installments. Low-income Chapter 7 filers can ask for a fee waiver.
The automatic stay begins right away. Creditors must stop collection calls. No more lawsuits. No garnishments. This protection continues until your case ends.
The 341 meeting happens about a month later. A trustee asks questions. Creditors can attend. Most don't show up. Bring ID and Social Security proof.
Take the debtor education course before discharge. File the certificate. Then wait for your discharge order to arrive.
Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators. They oversee trustees and schedule meetings. The Bankruptcy Administrator for the Northern District can be reached through alnba.uscourts.gov.
Online Resources for Tuscaloosa Bankruptcy
The Northern District website at alnb.uscourts.gov has forms and local rules. Check the Western Division pages for Tuscaloosa-specific information.
CM/ECF at ecf.alnb.uscourts.gov handles electronic filing. Attorneys use this system. Pro se filers can file paper documents at the clerk's office.
RECAP Archive at courtlistener.com/recap has free documents from PACER. Not everything is available. But you might find what you need without paying.
The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts. Use it to find cases nationwide.
Tuscaloosa Bankruptcy Fees
Filing fees are standard across all federal courts:
- 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
PACER charges under $30 per quarter are waived. View records free at courthouse terminals. Print for $0.10 per page.
Legal Help for Bankruptcy in Tuscaloosa
A bankruptcy attorney can make the process smoother. They know local court practices. They protect your property. Many offer free first meetings.
Legal Services Alabama helps people with low income. Call (205) 758-7503 for the Tuscaloosa office. Or use (866) 456-4995 statewide. Visit legalservicesalabama.org.
The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. Ask about bankruptcy specialists. Initial consultations are often affordable.
Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has educational materials. It explains how bankruptcy works in plain language.
Some people file without a lawyer. Simple cases may work out fine. The court staff can explain procedures. They cannot give legal advice. For complex situations, consider professional help.
Tuscaloosa County Bankruptcy Records
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County. All bankruptcy cases for the county go through the Western Division office downtown. See the county page for more information about coverage and resources.
Nearby Cities
Other major Alabama cities nearby include:
- Birmingham - Northern District headquarters (about 55 miles northeast)
- Hoover - Uses Birmingham office (about 45 miles east)
- Montgomery - Middle District headquarters (about 100 miles southeast)