San Francisco Bankruptcy Records

San Francisco County bankruptcy records are managed by the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. The city and county of San Francisco have about 870,000 residents. This is where the main bankruptcy court headquarters for the Northern District sits. Residents can walk to the courthouse or use PACER to search records online. This page explains how to find San Francisco bankruptcy records, file for debt relief, and access legal resources available in the city.

San Francisco Bankruptcy Court

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court headquarters is in San Francisco. The courthouse sits at 235 Pine Street, 19th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Call (415) 268-2300 for information. This is the main office for the entire Northern District.

San Francisco residents have the easiest access of any Northern District county. The courthouse is downtown near the Financial District. BART and Muni provide public transit options. Several parking garages are nearby for those who drive.

Court hours run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Walk in for free record searches on public terminals. Staff can help navigate the system. Printing costs money but viewing is free. No appointment is needed for basic services.

The court website has local rules, forms, and procedural guides for San Francisco filers.

Search San Francisco Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary online tool for searching San Francisco bankruptcy records. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to begin. Registration takes just minutes. Your account works at every federal court in the country.

Search fees stay low. The system charges 10 cents per page with a $3 cap per document. Balances under $30 per quarter get waived. Most casual searchers pay nothing. Log in and select the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court to find San Francisco records.

Type a name or business name to search. Case number lookups work too. Results show filing date, chapter type, and current status. Click into any case for the full docket. Every document appears in the list. View petitions, schedules, motions, and court orders. San Francisco bankruptcy records going back decades are available.

Free phone access is available. Call (866) 222-8029 for the Voice Case Information System. It runs around the clock. Enter a case number for status updates. This tells you if a case is open, closed, or discharged.

In-person searches at the Pine Street courthouse are free. Use public terminals during business hours. Staff help with navigation. You pay only for printed copies.

Filing Bankruptcy in San Francisco

San Francisco residents file at the Northern District headquarters downtown. Federal rules apply everywhere. You can hire a lawyer or represent yourself.

Filing fees are set federally. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738 for most cases. Low-income filers can request fee waivers. Payment plans help spread costs. Ask the clerk about options if paying upfront is difficult.

Credit counseling is required first. Complete an approved course within 180 days before filing. Online providers charge $15 to $50. The session takes about two hours. You receive a certificate to include with your petition. The court rejects filings without it. A second course comes later in the case.

Download forms at uscourts.gov. Start with the voluntary petition. Add schedules for assets, debts, income, and expenses. The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility. Complete everything accurately. These documents become your San Francisco bankruptcy record.

Note: San Francisco has high living costs that factor into the means test calculation.

Electronic Filing in San Francisco

CM/ECF is the court's electronic filing system. Attorneys must use it for all filings. Documents go straight into the case record. The system operates around the clock.

People without attorneys can file paper documents. Bring them to the Pine Street courthouse during business hours. The clerk scans everything into the electronic system. This works fine for pro se filers.

CM/ECF sends automatic notices when filings occur. Creditors receive alerts about deadlines and hearings. You get notifications of court orders. Everyone stays informed without extra phone calls.

Bankruptcy Exemptions for San Francisco

California has two exemption systems. San Francisco filers choose one. Given local property values, this choice is critical.

System 1 focuses on homestead protection. The exemption reaches $722,507 based on county median home prices. San Francisco has among the highest property values in the nation. Even condos and small homes often exceed this limit. Homeowners with significant equity need to plan carefully.

System 2 provides a large wildcard exemption of $38,700. Apply it to any property. Bank accounts, vehicles, and equipment qualify. San Francisco renters often prefer System 2. Those without home equity find it more useful. The city has many renters who benefit from wildcard flexibility.

Your exemption choice appears in bankruptcy records. You cannot switch after filing. Given San Francisco's high costs and property values, consulting an attorney is especially valuable here.

Types of Bankruptcy in San Francisco

Chapter 7 is common for San Francisco individuals. It wipes out unsecured debt in about four months. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans can be discharged. Most filers keep everything through exemptions. A trustee reviews assets but rarely liquidates anything in typical cases.

Chapter 13 suits people with steady income. You pay creditors through a plan lasting three to five years. Catch up on mortgages or car loans. Some debts are reduced while others discharge at completion. This helps homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. San Francisco has many businesses from startups to established companies. Economic shifts push some into Chapter 11. The process lets them reorganize while operating. High-debt individuals also use this chapter when they exceed Chapter 13 limits.

San Francisco sees a diverse mix of case types. Tech industry layoffs, business closures, and high living costs all contribute to local filings.

Legal Resources in San Francisco

San Francisco has extensive legal assistance options for those facing debt issues.

Bay Area Legal Aid provides free services to qualifying low-income residents. They help with bankruptcy and other civil matters. The Volunteer Legal Services Program offers pro bono assistance. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Find bankruptcy attorneys through their website.

Self-help resources are available online. The Northern District website has forms and guides. The federal forms page provides all required documents. San Francisco Public Library has legal research resources too.

Always verify attorney credentials through the State Bar. Their website shows license status and discipline history. The FTC consumer site has tips on avoiding debt relief scams.

San Francisco City

San Francisco is a combined city and county. All residents file bankruptcy at the Northern District headquarters downtown.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor San Francisco and use the same federal court district.