San Jose Bankruptcy Records

San Jose bankruptcy records are filed through the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. As California's third largest city with nearly one million residents, San Jose sees significant bankruptcy filings each year. The city sits at the heart of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County. You can search San Jose bankruptcy cases through PACER online or visit the San Jose federal courthouse in person. This guide explains how to find and access bankruptcy records for San Jose residents.

San Jose Bankruptcy Court Location

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court handles all bankruptcy cases for San Jose residents. The district has a courthouse right in San Jose at the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building. This makes it easy for local residents to access bankruptcy records and court services.

San Jose is part of a district that covers 15 Bay Area counties. The Northern District reports some of the highest median debtor incomes in the nation. This reflects the high cost of living and tech industry salaries in Silicon Valley. Many San Jose bankruptcy filers have substantial assets to protect.

Call (888) 821-7606 for the San Jose division. The court is open Monday through Friday. Free public terminals let you search records at no cost. Staff can help with questions about San Jose bankruptcy filings.

The court website provides local rules, forms, and case lookup tools for the Northern District.

Search San Jose Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the main way to search bankruptcy records from home. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. Fees are 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Users under $30 in quarterly charges pay nothing.

Log in and select the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. Enter a name or case number to find San Jose bankruptcy records. Results show the full docket, all filed documents, and current case status. You can view and download any document in the file.

The Voice Case Information System gives free phone access. Call (866) 222-8029 any time. The system works around the clock. Enter a case number or name to hear basic case information. Good for quick status checks.

Use the PACER Case Locator to search all federal courts at once. This helps when you are not sure which district has the records you need.

Filing Bankruptcy in San Jose

San Jose residents file at the Northern District court. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Fee waivers may be available for those with low income.

Credit counseling is required before filing. Take an approved course within 180 days of your filing date. A second course on debt management is required after your case begins. Both courses are mandatory for San Jose filers.

Download official forms from uscourts.gov. The petition starts your case. Schedules list all assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines which chapter you qualify for. Completed forms become part of the public San Jose bankruptcy record.

Note: Silicon Valley's high incomes mean some San Jose filers must pass a stricter means test for Chapter 7.

California Exemptions for San Jose Filers

California offers two exemption systems. You must choose one. System 1 protects up to $722,507 in home equity. Given San Jose home values, this matters greatly. A median home in San Jose costs over $1.3 million. System 1 may not cover all equity for some homeowners.

System 2 has a smaller homestead of $36,750 but offers a wildcard up to $38,700. Renters in San Jose often prefer System 2. The wildcard protects any property type. This helps cover cars, bank accounts, or stock options that tech workers may have.

Your exemption choice appears in the bankruptcy records. Talk to a lawyer about which system works for your situation. San Jose has many bankruptcy attorneys who understand local needs.

Types of San Jose Bankruptcy Cases

Chapter 7 liquidation is most common. It wipes out debts in a few months. Exemptions protect most property. About 78% of California filers use Chapter 7.

Chapter 13 repayment plans suit people with high income who want to keep property while paying debts over time. Tech workers with steady salaries often choose this path. The plan lasts three to five years. Records include payment schedules and completion documents.

Chapter 11 covers business reorganization. San Jose has many startups and tech companies. Some file Chapter 11 to restructure while staying open. These cases create extensive records with many filings over months or years.

All case types produce searchable records. The petition starts every case. Schedules detail finances. The trustee files reports. Final orders close the case. Search any of these through PACER or at the courthouse.

Santa Clara County Bankruptcy Records

San Jose is in Santa Clara County. All county residents file through the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. The San Jose division handles most local cases.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near San Jose and also use the Northern District court.