Search Belmont County Bankruptcy Records
Belmont County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Columbus Division. The county seat is St. Clairsville, located along the Ohio-West Virginia border. If you need to look up a bankruptcy case for a Belmont County resident, PACER is the fastest online search tool. You can also call the McVCIS phone line for free case lookups or visit a courthouse in person. The Belmont County Clerk of Courts keeps liens, judgments, and other records that may tie into a bankruptcy filing. This page explains how to find and get copies of Belmont County bankruptcy records.
Belmont County Bankruptcy Records Overview
Belmont County Bankruptcy Court Details
Belmont County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Columbus Division. Every bankruptcy filing for a Belmont County resident goes through this federal court. The county courts have no role in bankruptcy proceedings.
Laura Zupko serves as the Belmont County Clerk of Courts. The Legal Department is at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950. Call (740) 699-2169 for the Legal Department or (740) 695-5406 for the Title Department. Email lzupko@belmontcountycoc.org. The Title Department is at 52180 National Road East, St. Clairsville OH 43950. While this office does not hold bankruptcy case files, it keeps judgment liens, tax liens, and other court records that can relate to a bankruptcy.
The Belmont County Common Pleas Court has local rules of practice effective February 1, 2024. Court sessions run Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All visitors must go through a security check before entering the courthouse.
The Belmont County Common Pleas Court page shows court details and local rules.
Bring valid ID when you visit the courthouse.
Searching Belmont County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the best way to search Belmont County bankruptcy records online. Sign up for a free account. Search by name, case number, or Social Security Number. The cost is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. If you stay under $30 in a quarter, it is free. Court opinions are always free.
The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts if you don't know which court handled a case. For phone access, call McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. It is free and runs 24 hours. Say "Ohio" and pick the Southern District to look up case info.
You can view Belmont County bankruptcy records in person at the Southern District courthouse. Public terminals are free. Printing costs $0.10 per page. Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, bankruptcy records are public and anyone can review them at reasonable times.
The Belmont County Courts public records page gives instant access to local court records through CourtView.
You can search all Belmont County Court public records for Eastern, Northern, and Western Divisions by name, case type, and status.
Note: Belmont County bankruptcy records are federal records held by the Southern District of Ohio, not the county clerk's office.
What Belmont County Bankruptcy Records Include
A bankruptcy file starts with the petition naming the debtor and chapter. Schedules list all assets, debts, income, and expenses. Creditors get notice of the meeting of creditors under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2002, with at least 21 days advance notice.
The discharge order wraps up the case and lists which debts were wiped out. Student loans, most tax debts, and child support cannot be discharged. The file also contains motions, court orders, trustee reports, and repayment plans in Chapter 13 cases. Personal data is redacted under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037.
Local Court Records in Belmont County
Jason Garczyk serves as the Belmont County Recorder at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950. Call (740) 699-2140. The Recorder's Office maintains all property records, deeds, mortgages, and liens for the county. These records are important when a bankruptcy case involves real estate in Belmont County.
The Belmont County Probate and Juvenile Court is presided over by Judge Albert E. Davies. The Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, marriage licenses, and adoptions. Call (740) 699-2144 for Probate or (740) 699-2141 for Juvenile matters. Email probatecourt@co.belmont.oh.us.
Clerks at the Probate Court cannot give legal advice. For legal help, contact an attorney or Legal Aid.
Belmont County has three Divisional Courts: Eastern (Judge David Trouten), Northern, and Western (Judge Eric Costine). All are at 52160 National Road East, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950. These courts were recently moved to a renovated state-of-the-art secured building with bulletproof transaction windows and high-density storage for records. They handle misdemeanors, traffic, and civil cases.
Belmont County Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Fees for Belmont County bankruptcy filings follow 28 U.S.C. § 1930. Chapter 7 is $245. Chapter 13 is $235. Chapter 11 is $1,167. Chapter 12 is $200. Fee waivers and installment plans are available.
PACER copies cost $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Courthouse terminal viewing is free. Archived records from the National Archives at Kansas City cost $0.80 per page with a $20.00 minimum.
Getting Belmont County Bankruptcy Records
Use PACER for current cases. Log in and download what you need. Visit the Southern District courthouse for free terminal access.
Older Belmont County bankruptcy records may be in paper form only. Contact the court or the National Archives at Kansas City. NARA stores closed case files. Email kansascity.archives@nara.gov or call 816-268-8000. Provide the court name, case number, and party names. No search fee applies.
For local Belmont County records, contact the Clerk of Courts at (740) 699-2169 or email lzupko@belmontcountycoc.org. The office accepts public records requests during business hours at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
Belmont County Bankruptcy Records Research
The Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database holds case data from 1970 to present. It shows filing dates, case types, and outcomes. Use it to narrow your search before using PACER for actual documents.
Under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5003, the bankruptcy clerk must keep a docket in each case and record every order and activity. The clerk also maintains a claims register for distributions. These rules make sure Belmont County bankruptcy records remain complete and searchable.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Belmont County. If you are not sure which county covers a specific address, verify before searching bankruptcy records.