Access Dallas County Bankruptcy Records
Dallas County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama. The main clerk office is in Mobile, but Selma has a courthouse for hearings only. Mail and filings go to Mobile.
Dallas County Quick Facts
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Dallas County
Dallas County is in the Northern Division of the Southern District of Alabama. This is a federal court. State courts have no role in bankruptcy. All filings from Dallas County go to Mobile. However, Selma has a courthouse where hearings take place. Do not mail anything to Selma.
The court refers to this as the Selma Division. It serves Dallas County and several nearby counties. Judges travel from Mobile to hold hearings in Selma. This saves residents a long drive for court dates. But the clerk office is only in Mobile. All papers must go there.
| Court Name | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Alabama |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 113 St. Joseph Street Mobile, AL 36602 |
| Selma Courthouse | 908 Alabama Avenue Selma, AL 36701 Hearings only - no mail accepted |
| Phone | (251) 441-5391 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alsb.uscourts.gov |
Selma Courthouse Information
The Selma courthouse at 908 Alabama Avenue is for hearings only. Do not send mail there. Do not show up expecting clerk services. The court holds hearings here so Dallas County residents do not always have to drive to Mobile. The judges come from Mobile on scheduled days.
If you have a hearing in Selma, check your notice for the date and time. The drive from Mobile is about 130 miles. Judges hold several hearings on the same day to make the trip worthwhile. Your case paperwork still goes through Mobile.
To file documents, use PACER or mail to Mobile. To get copies, contact Mobile. The Selma location does not have a staffed clerk window. It is just a courtroom. Keep this in mind when planning for Dallas County bankruptcy matters.
How to Search Dallas County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main search tool. Use it online from any computer. Find cases filed by Dallas County residents any time. All documents are in the system. Sign up free at pacer.uscourts.gov.
Fees are modest. PACER charges $0.10 per page. Max $3.00 per document. If quarterly use stays under $30, you pay nothing. Quick searches are often free for Dallas County bankruptcy records.
Search by name, case number, or SSN last four. The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov covers all federal courts. Good when you are not sure which district has a case.
Phone access is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 for McVCIS. It runs 24/7. Get basic info like dates and status. No full documents, but useful for quick checks on Dallas County bankruptcy records.
In-person visits require going to Mobile. The Selma courthouse does not offer clerk services. The Mobile office is open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays. Use the public terminal free. Printing is $0.10 per page. Certified copies cost $12.00.
Electronic Self-Representation System
The Southern District has eSR. It helps people file bankruptcy without a lawyer. Answer questions and the system makes forms. This is unique to the Southern District in Alabama. Most federal courts do not offer this.
eSR is free to use. Filing fees still apply. Chapter 7 is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Low-income filers may qualify for waivers. The system does not give legal advice. Dallas County residents can access it at alsb.uscourts.gov.
Self-filing works for simple cases. Complex situations need professional help. If you have a business, property disputes, or secured debt issues, talk to a lawyer first. The eSR handles paperwork only.
What Dallas County Bankruptcy Records Show
A bankruptcy file has many documents. The petition starts things. It names the debtor and chapter. Schedules detail assets and debts. The Statement of Financial Affairs covers recent financial history. All creditors get listed with amounts.
Court orders accumulate over time. The automatic stay stops creditors. The discharge clears debts. Some cases have motions, objections, and hearing transcripts. Trustee reports show what happened to property. Creditor claims document amounts owed.
Dallas County bankruptcy records typically include:
- Debtor full name and address
- Chapter (7, 11, 12, or 13)
- Date the case was filed
- Assets and their values
- Debts and creditor names
- Income and expenses
- Discharge date if case closed
Some data is redacted. SSN shows only last four digits. Account numbers are cut the same way. Birth dates show only the year. Minor children appear as initials. Tax returns are sealed. These rules come from Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037.
Fees for Dallas County Bankruptcy Records
PACER fees are standard. Pay $0.10 per page. Cap $3.00 per document. Audio files cost $2.40. Quarterly charges under $30 get waived. Most small searches are free for Dallas County bankruptcy records.
Clerk office fees apply for some services:
- Certified copy: $12.00
- Exemplification: $25.00
- Clerk search: $32.00 per name
- Printing: $0.10 per page
Old records may be at the National Archives. Cases over 15 years sometimes transfer there. Retrieval costs $64.00 per box. The Atlanta center holds Alabama files. Call (404) 736-2820 for old Dallas County bankruptcy records.
Bankruptcy Administrator for Dallas County
Alabama uses Bankruptcy Administrators. Most states have U.S. Trustees from the DOJ. Alabama is different. The BA is a court employee who oversees cases. Only Alabama and North Carolina work this way.
Every case has a 341 meeting. Creditors can ask questions. The trustee runs it. For Dallas County, meetings may happen in Mobile or Selma. Check alsba.uscourts.gov for schedules. Call (251) 441-5577.
The BA does not give legal advice. They explain procedures and provide trustee info. Their website has forms and meeting schedules. Access is free for Dallas County cases.
Legal Framework for Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy records are public. 11 U.S.C. § 107 makes them open to all. No reason required. You do not need to be a party. Dallas County bankruptcy records are available to anyone.
Sealing is rare. Trade secrets might qualify. Confidential business info can be protected. A party must file a motion. The judge decides. Most cases stay fully public.
All bankruptcy law is at 11 U.S.C. § 101-1532. Federal law controls. Alabama state law affects exemptions only. The rest is the same everywhere.
Free Alternatives for Searching
RECAP saves PACER docs for free use. Search at courtlistener.com/recap. Coverage varies by what users downloaded. Some Dallas County cases may be available.
McVCIS phone service is free. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time. Get basic case info by voice. No documents, but good for quick checks.
The courthouse terminal costs nothing to view. Only printing has fees. Staff can help. A good choice if you need to see many documents without PACER costs for Dallas County bankruptcy records.
Cities in Dallas County
Dallas County includes Selma and several smaller communities. Selma is the county seat and largest city. Other places include Orrville and Valley Grande. All residents file bankruptcy at the Mobile court. Hearings may be held in Selma.
The Selma courthouse provides convenience for hearings. But all paperwork goes to Mobile. Do not send filings to Selma. The clerk office is only in Mobile, about 130 miles away.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Dallas County. Several are also in the Selma Division for hearings. Check which county you are in before filing.