Search Brown County Bankruptcy Records

Brown County bankruptcy records are managed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Cincinnati Division. The county seat is Georgetown, and all federal bankruptcy filings for Brown County residents go through this court. If you want to look up a case, PACER is the best way to search online. You can also call the McVCIS phone line for free or visit the courthouse in person. Clark Gray serves as the Brown County Clerk of Courts at 101 South Main Street, Georgetown. The Clerk keeps local court records like liens and judgments that may relate to a bankruptcy case. This page covers where to search, what you can find, and how to get copies.

Brown County Bankruptcy Court Info

Brown County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Cincinnati Division. This is a federal court. It handles all bankruptcy cases for people and businesses in Brown County. The local county courts do not process bankruptcy filings at all. The Southern District has seen filings go up 18.1% compared to last year, and the court has brought back recalled judges to help with the load.

Clark Gray serves as the Brown County Clerk of Courts. The office is at 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, Ohio 45121. You can reach the Clerk at (937) 378-3100 or by email at cgray@browncountyohio.gov. The Clerk keeps records for the Brown County Court of Common Pleas. While the Clerk does not hold bankruptcy case files, the office does maintain judgment liens, tax liens, and other filings that can come up during a bankruptcy proceeding.

The Brown County government website gives you access to county departments and contact details for all local offices.

You can find office hours, phone numbers, and links to each county department from this site.

How to Find Brown County Bankruptcy Records

The main way to search Brown County bankruptcy records is through PACER. Create a free account and search by name, case number, or Social Security Number. PACER covers all federal courts. The cost is $0.10 per page, with a cap of $3.00 per document. If your bill stays under $30 in a quarter, you owe nothing. Court opinions are free for all users.

You can use the PACER Case Locator too. It updates each night and pulls from all federal courts at once. This helps when you do not know which court handled the case. For phone access, call McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. The line is free and runs around the clock. Say "Ohio" and pick the Southern District to pull up case info.

Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, bankruptcy records are open to the public. Anyone can view them at a reasonable time without charge. You do not need to be part of the case. At the courthouse, public terminals let you view electronic case files for free. Prints cost $0.10 per page from those terminals.

The OCCA listing for Brown County provides clerk contact info and basic court details.

This page can help you reach the right office for local record requests.

What Brown County Bankruptcy Files Contain

A bankruptcy file for a Brown County resident holds many types of documents. The petition starts the case. It lists the debtor's name, address, and the chapter being filed. Schedules detail all assets, debts, income, and monthly expenses. The court sends a notice of the meeting of creditors to everyone who is owed money. Under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2002, creditors must get at least 21 days notice before this meeting.

The discharge order is the most sought-after document. It shows which debts have been wiped out. Some debts survive. Student loans, child support, and most tax debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. The file also holds motions from creditors, court orders, and the trustee's report on assets. In a Chapter 13 case, the repayment plan is part of the file as well.

Filers must redact personal data under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037. Only the last four digits of a Social Security number can appear on public filings. Birth years, minors' initials, and the last four of financial account numbers are all that show. The filer bears the duty to redact, not the court.

Brown County Local Court Records

The Brown County Recorder's Office at the Georgetown courthouse maintains all real estate records, deeds, mortgages, and liens. If a bankruptcy involves property in Brown County, the Recorder has the land records you may need. These records date back to the county's founding and are open for public inspection during business hours.

The Brown County Probate Court, also at 101 South Main Street in Georgetown, handles estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Probate cases sometimes intersect with bankruptcy filings, especially when an estate owes debts. The Common Pleas Court covers civil cases, foreclosures, and felony criminal matters. Foreclosure actions often run alongside bankruptcy proceedings in Brown County.

Brown County has municipal courts that handle small claims, traffic cases, and misdemeanors. These courts serve communities across the county. The Clerk of Courts provides public access to all Common Pleas records under Ohio's public records laws.

Brown County Bankruptcy Filing Fees

Filing fees for bankruptcy cases in Brown County follow the federal fee schedule set by 28 U.S.C. § 1930. Chapter 7 costs $245. Chapter 13 is $235. Chapter 11 runs $1,167 for most filers. Chapter 12, for family farmers and fishermen, is $200. You pay these fees to the clerk of the bankruptcy court when you file the petition.

If you earn less than 150% of the federal poverty line and cannot pay in installments, you may qualify for a fee waiver. The court can also let you pay in installments with approval. Copies through PACER cost $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Courthouse terminal viewing is free. Prints from those terminals cost $0.10 per page.

Getting Copies of Brown County Bankruptcy Records

For active cases, PACER is the fastest route. Log in, find the case, and download what you need. Each page costs $0.10, with a $3.00 cap per document. You can also visit the Southern District courthouse and use a public terminal at no cost.

Older Brown County bankruptcy records filed before 1999 may only exist on paper. Contact the court or reach out to the National Archives at Kansas City. NARA stores all closed federal bankruptcy case files there. To make a request, you need the court name, case number, and party names. There is no search fee. Email kansascity.archives@nara.gov or call 816-268-8000.

For local Brown County records like liens and judgments, contact the Clerk of Courts at (937) 378-3100 or email cgray@browncountyohio.gov. The office accepts requests in person, by mail, or by email. Fees follow the statutory rate. The office is at 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, Ohio 45121.

Brown County Bankruptcy Research Tools

The Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database holds case data for bankruptcy filings from 1970 to the present. It does not have actual documents, but it gives you filing dates, case types, and outcomes. This tool can help narrow a search before going to PACER. Email the IDB team at IDBonline@fjc.gov with questions about the data.

Under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5003, the clerk must keep a docket for each case and record every judgment, order, and activity. The clerk also maintains a claims register when there will be a distribution to unsecured creditors. These rules make sure Brown County bankruptcy records stay complete and accessible over time.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Brown County. Check the exact location before searching for bankruptcy records if you are not sure which county applies.