Access Champaign County Bankruptcy Records

Champaign County bankruptcy records are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Dayton Division. The county seat is Urbana, where the Clerk of Courts at 200 North Main Street maintains local court records. If you need to search for a bankruptcy case from Champaign County, PACER provides the fastest online access. You can also use the free McVCIS phone line or visit a federal courthouse in person. This page explains how to find, search, and get copies of Champaign County bankruptcy records step by step.

Champaign County Bankruptcy Court Details

Champaign County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Dayton Division. All bankruptcy petitions from Champaign County residents go through this federal court. County courts in Urbana do not handle bankruptcy cases.

Penny S. Underwood has served as Champaign County Clerk of Courts since December 2008. The office comprises four offices: Legal Division, Title Division, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and Driver Exam Station. The Clerk's General Division is at 200 North Main Street, 1st Floor, Urbana, OH 43078. Call (937) 484-1046 or email punderwood@co.champaign.oh.us. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Judge Nick A. Selvaggio presides over the General Division of the Champaign County Common Pleas Court. The General Division has jurisdiction over adult felony offenses and civil cases including foreclosure actions, civil stalking orders, garnishments, tax liens, negligence actions, administrative agency appeals, contract or labor disputes, declaratory judgment actions, and injunctive relief. Magistrate Scott D. Schockling assists with case disposition. Neither the judge nor the magistrate can offer legal advice to the public.

The Champaign County Common Pleas Court page shows court details and division information.

The court handles foreclosures, garnishments, and tax liens, all of which can tie into bankruptcy proceedings.

How to Search Champaign County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the primary tool for searching Champaign County bankruptcy records online. Create a free account and search by name, case number, or Social Security Number. It costs $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Quarterly usage under $30 is free. Court opinions cost nothing.

The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts at once. Use it if you do not know which court handled a case. For phone lookups, call McVCIS at (866) 222-8029. It is free and runs 24 hours. Say "Ohio" and pick the Southern District.

In-person access to Champaign County bankruptcy records is available at the Southern District courthouse. Public terminals are free for viewing. Printing costs $0.10 per page. Under 11 U.S.C. § 107, bankruptcy records are public. Anyone can view them at reasonable times without charge.

The Champaign County Municipal Court is presided over by Judge Gregory L. Harvey, who began his first term January 1, 2026. The court has county-wide jurisdiction and became a full-time court on January 1, 2002.

Arraignments are held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 a.m. The building is on the southeast corner of Market and Main streets in Urbana.

Champaign County Bankruptcy Filing Contents

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 required.

The discharge order ends the case and shows which debts were cleared. Not everything can be discharged. Student loans, most tax debts, and child support survive. The file includes motions, court orders, trustee reports, and Chapter 13 repayment plans. Personal data is redacted under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9037. Only partial Social Security numbers, birth years, and last four digits of accounts appear.

Local Court Records in Champaign County

The Champaign County Recorder's Office at 1512 South US Hwy. 68, Suite B-200, Urbana, OH 43078 maintains all land records, deeds, and property documents. Call (937) 484-1630. If a bankruptcy involves property in Champaign County, these records can be relevant to the case.

The Champaign County Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate Division is on the 3rd floor of the courthouse at 200 North Main Street, Urbana. Judges Lori L. Reisinger and Brett A. Gilbert preside over this division. Call (937) 484-1027. The court handles divorces, child custody, estates, guardianships, and juvenile matters.

The Champaign County Municipal Court is at 205 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 67, Urbana, Ohio 43078. Call (937) 653-7376 or fax (937) 652-4333. Civil and small claims cases are heard on Wednesdays. Free public parking is on Market Street east of the court or north of the court across from the Urbana Fire Department.

Champaign County Bankruptcy Fees

Filing fees for Champaign County bankruptcy 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, capped at $3.00 per document. Courthouse terminal viewing is free but prints cost $0.10 per page. The National Archives at Kansas City charges $0.80 per page with a $20.00 minimum for mail orders of archived bankruptcy records.

Getting Champaign County Bankruptcy Records

Use PACER for current cases. Log in and download documents. Visit the Southern District courthouse for free terminal access.

Older Champaign County bankruptcy records may only exist on paper. 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 Champaign County records, contact the Clerk of Courts at (937) 484-1046 or email punderwood@co.champaign.oh.us. The office accepts public records requests during business hours at 200 North Main Street, Urbana.

Champaign County Bankruptcy Records Research

The Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database has case data from 1970 to present. It gives filing dates, case types, and outcomes. This tool helps narrow your search before using PACER.

Under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5003, the clerk must keep a docket in each case and record every order and activity. The clerk also keeps a claims register for distributions. These rules keep Champaign County bankruptcy records complete and searchable.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Champaign County. Verify the address before searching for bankruptcy records.