Search San Francisco Bankruptcy Records

San Francisco bankruptcy records are managed by the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. The main courthouse is right in San Francisco at 235 Pine Street. With over 800,000 residents, the city sees many bankruptcy filings each year. You can search San Francisco bankruptcy cases through PACER online or at the downtown courthouse. This guide covers how to find records, court information, and filing details for San Francisco.

San Francisco Bankruptcy Court

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court has its headquarters in San Francisco. The courthouse is at 235 Pine Street, 19th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. This central location in the Financial District makes it accessible to most city residents.

The Northern District serves 15 counties in the Bay Area. San Francisco is both a city and a county, which is unique in California. All San Francisco residents file bankruptcy at this downtown location. The court handles both consumer and business cases.

Call (415) 268-2300 for the San Francisco office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Free public terminals are available for searching San Francisco bankruptcy records. Court staff can assist with questions about filings and procedures.

The website has local rules, court forms, and case search tools.

How to Search San Francisco Bankruptcy Records

PACER lets you search from anywhere. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov for a free account. Charges are 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Light users pay nothing if quarterly fees stay under $30.

Select the Northern District of California after logging in. Enter a name or case number. Results show the docket, all filed papers, and case status for San Francisco bankruptcy cases. Download any document you need.

The free Voice Case Information System works by phone. Call (866) 222-8029 at any hour. Give a case number or name to hear basic case details. This is quick and costs nothing.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts. Use it when you do not know which district has your case.

Filing Bankruptcy in San Francisco

San Francisco residents file at the Pine Street courthouse. Chapter 7 costs $338 to file. Chapter 13 is $313. Fee waivers help those who cannot pay.

Credit counseling must be done before filing. Use an approved provider. You have 180 days before your filing date. After filing, a second course on money management is required. All San Francisco filers must complete both.

Official forms are at uscourts.gov. Start with the petition. Add schedules for your assets, debts, income, and costs. The means test shows which chapter fits. These papers become the public record in San Francisco.

Exemptions for San Francisco Bankruptcy Filers

California gives you two exemption choices. System 1 protects up to $722,507 in home equity. San Francisco has some of the highest home prices in the nation. Even this large exemption may not cover all equity for some homeowners.

System 2 has a smaller homestead of $36,750. It adds a wildcard worth up to $38,700 for any property. Many San Francisco renters choose System 2. The city has a large renter population due to high housing costs.

Note: Your choice affects what you keep. A bankruptcy lawyer can advise which system works for your finances.

Types of San Francisco Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 clears most debts fast. It takes a few months. Exemptions protect property for most filers. This is the most common type in California.

Chapter 13 spreads payments over three to five years. It works for people with steady jobs who want to catch up on bills. San Francisco has many workers in tech, finance, and services who may prefer this option.

Chapter 11 lets businesses reorganize. San Francisco has many startups, restaurants, and small businesses. Some file Chapter 11 to keep operating while fixing debt problems. These cases produce many court documents over time.

San Francisco County Bankruptcy Records

San Francisco is both a city and a county. The Northern District of California handles all bankruptcy cases. The main courthouse is in the city itself.

Nearby Cities

These Bay Area cities also use the Northern District court.