Access San Mateo County Bankruptcy Records

San Mateo County bankruptcy records are handled through the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. This Peninsula county has about 765,000 residents. Redwood City serves as the county seat. Cases are processed at the San Francisco headquarters just to the north. This guide explains how to search for San Mateo County bankruptcy records using PACER and at the courthouse. You will also learn about filing procedures, exemptions, and legal resources available in the area.

San Mateo County Bankruptcy Court

The Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court serves San Mateo County. Cases go to the San Francisco headquarters at 235 Pine Street, 19th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Call (415) 268-2300 for information.

San Mateo County residents have easy access to the court. San Francisco is just to the north. The drive from Redwood City takes about 30 minutes without heavy traffic. Caltrain provides convenient public transit directly to downtown San Francisco.

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 procedures for San Mateo County filers.

Search San Mateo County Bankruptcy Records

PACER provides online access to San Mateo County bankruptcy records. Create a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov to begin. Registration takes just minutes. Your account works for all federal courts nationwide.

Search fees are minimal. You pay 10 cents per page up to $3 per document. Balances under $30 per quarter get waived. Most casual users pay nothing. After logging in, select the Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court to find San Mateo County records.

Type a name or business name to search. Case number lookups work too. Results show case number, filing date, chapter type, and status. Click into any case for the full docket. Every document appears in the list. View petitions, schedules, motions, and orders.

Free phone access is available through the Voice Case Information System. Call (866) 222-8029 anytime. The automated system runs 24 hours daily. Enter a case number for status updates. This tells you if a case is open, closed, or discharged.

In-person searches at the San Francisco courthouse are free. Use public terminals during business hours. You pay only for printed copies.

Filing Bankruptcy in San Mateo County

San Mateo County residents file through the Northern District in San Francisco. 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.

Credit counseling must come 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 missing it. A second course comes later.

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. Your documents become part of the San Mateo County bankruptcy record.

Note: San Mateo County has high living costs that affect means test calculations.

Electronic Filing for San Mateo County

CM/ECF handles electronic filings for the Northern District. Attorneys must use this system. Documents upload directly to the case record. The system operates around the clock.

People without attorneys can file paper documents. Bring them to the San Francisco courthouse during business hours. The clerk scans everything into the electronic system.

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 calls.

Bankruptcy Exemptions for San Mateo County

California has two exemption systems. San Mateo County filers choose one. Given local property values, this decision is critical.

System 1 focuses on homestead protection. The exemption reaches $722,507 based on county median home prices. San Mateo County has some of the highest home values in the country. Many properties exceed this exemption. Careful planning is essential for homeowners.

System 2 provides a large wildcard exemption of $38,700. Apply it to any property. Bank accounts, vehicles, and equipment qualify. Renters often choose System 2. Those without much home equity find it useful. The Peninsula has many renters who benefit from this flexibility.

Your exemption choice appears in bankruptcy records. You cannot switch after filing. Consulting an attorney is especially valuable given San Mateo County property values.

Types of Bankruptcy in San Mateo County

Chapter 7 handles most San Mateo County filings. 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.

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. Others discharge at completion. This helps homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Chapter 11 handles business reorganization. San Mateo County has many tech companies and other businesses. Economic downturns push some into reorganization. The process lets them restructure while operating. High-debt individuals also use this chapter.

The county sees diverse case types. Tech industry changes, business closures, and high living costs all contribute to local filings.

Legal Help for San Mateo County

Legal assistance exists for San Mateo County residents facing debt issues.

Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County provides free services to qualifying residents. They help with civil matters including debt issues. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Find bankruptcy attorneys through their website. Many offer free consultations.

Self-help resources are available online. The Northern District website has forms and guides. The federal forms page provides all required documents. San Mateo County libraries offer legal research resources.

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

Cities in San Mateo County

San Mateo County includes many Peninsula cities. All residents file bankruptcy through the Northern District in San Francisco. Here are the major population centers.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Mateo County and use the same federal court district.