Little Rock Bankruptcy Records

Little Rock is the seat of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, making it the primary location to file and access bankruptcy records for more than 40 counties across the state. The main courthouse sits at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, and handles Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 filings for residents throughout the eastern half of Arkansas.

Federal Bankruptcy Court in Little Rock

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas is based in Little Rock. It is the main office for the district and handles all administrative functions. The address is 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The phone number is (501) 918-5500. This court processes bankruptcy petitions, schedules hearings, and maintains all electronic case files for the Eastern District.

The court uses the NextGen CM/ECF system for electronic filing. All attorneys must register through PACER before they can file cases electronically. Pro se filers, meaning people who represent themselves, must submit paper documents in person. The court does not accept filings by email. Walk-in hours follow federal court schedules, so call ahead if you plan to visit.

The Eastern District covers 41 counties in Arkansas, including Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Lonoke, Jefferson, Craighead, Greene, and many more. If you live in Little Rock or anywhere in the eastern half of the state, this is your court.

Little Rock Bankruptcy Records on PACER

The fastest way to search Little Rock bankruptcy records is through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is the federal system that lets anyone look up case files from any U.S. bankruptcy court. You need a free account to get started. Registration is available at pacer.gov. Once registered, you can search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number (last four digits only).

The city hosts the primary Eastern District docket on PACER. That means every Little Rock bankruptcy case filed in federal court since the system went live on December 17, 2001 is available online. Older paper records may require an in-person visit to the courthouse. PACER charges $0.10 per page, with a cap of $3.00 per document. Quarterly billing applies once you spend more than $30 in a quarter. Free access is available for accounts that spend less.

You can also use the PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov to run a national name search. This is useful if you are not sure which court a case was filed in. The Case Locator checks all federal courts at once and returns a list of matching cases.

If you prefer phone access, the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-222-8029, extension 243. This automated line gives basic case status without needing a computer or PACER account.

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk and Local Court Records

The Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk handles all state-level court records in Little Rock. This includes civil cases, criminal records, domestic relations filings, probate matters, and real estate documents. The office is located at 401 W. Markham Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201. The phone number is (501) 340-8500.

State circuit court records are separate from federal bankruptcy records. The Pulaski County clerk does not maintain bankruptcy filings. Those are always filed in federal court. However, if a creditor gets a judgment in state court and you want to know whether a related bankruptcy was filed to stop collection, you may need to search both systems. The Arkansas CourtConnect system at caseinfo.arcourts.gov lets you search state circuit court cases by name or case number at no cost.

The Little Rock District Court, located at 3001 W. Roosevelt Road, handles traffic violations, misdemeanor cases, and small claims up to $5,000. Those records are also separate from bankruptcy filings.

What Little Rock Bankruptcy Records Contain

Bankruptcy records are public federal court documents. Most people can access them through PACER. A typical bankruptcy file includes the debtor's name and address, the case number, the chapter filed (7, 11, 12, or 13), and the filing date. The file also shows a list of creditors, the amounts owed, and the debtor's scheduled assets and income. Trustees and case discharge dates are part of the public record too.

Some information is redacted under federal privacy rules. Social Security numbers are shown only in their last four digits. Minor children are identified by initials only. Financial account numbers are also truncated. These rules apply to all federal bankruptcy courts, not just Little Rock.

Bankruptcy records are available through PACER. You can also request a physical copy of a case file from the courthouse clerk. Paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $12 for certification. If you need the court to conduct a records search by name, the fee is $34 per name searched.

Searching Little Rock Bankruptcy Records: Step-by-Step

First, go to pacer.gov and register for a free account. Then log in and select "Arkansas Eastern Bankruptcy" from the court list. You can search by the debtor's name or case number. The system returns a list of matching cases. Click a case to see the docket, which is a list of all documents filed. Most documents cost $0.10 per page to view and download.

If you are looking for a case filed before 2001, you may need to visit the courthouse in person. Staff at the clerk's office can help you locate older paper files. Bring the debtor's name and approximate filing year to speed up the search.

You can also search using CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov for state court matters related to a bankruptcy, such as civil judgments. That system is free and does not require registration.

Legal Aid and Bankruptcy Help in Little Rock

Several legal aid organizations serve Little Rock residents who need help with bankruptcy. Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to low-income Arkansans. Their main office in Little Rock can be reached through their statewide intake line. The Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly (AVLE) helps older residents with bankruptcy and debt issues. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Bowen School of Law also runs a legal clinic that may assist with bankruptcy matters.

The federal court's website at arb.uscourts.gov has self-help resources for pro se filers. The court also provides a list of approved credit counseling agencies, which is required before you can file a bankruptcy petition. You must complete a credit counseling course within 180 days before filing. An additional debtor education course is required before a discharge is granted.

Nearby Cities with Bankruptcy Records Pages

Other cities near Little Rock also have bankruptcy records pages in this directory. These cities are served by the same Eastern District court based in Little Rock.

• North Little Rock - Pulaski County, Eastern District
• Conway - Faulkner County, Eastern District
• Benton - Saline County, Eastern District
• Pine Bluff - Jefferson County, Eastern District
• Cabot - Lonoke County, Eastern District
• Searcy - White County, Eastern District
• Maumelle - Pulaski County, Eastern District
• Jacksonville - Pulaski County, Eastern District

The official city website for Little Rock is at littlerock.gov. More details on the Eastern District bankruptcy court are at arb.uscourts.gov.

The screenshot below shows the City of Little Rock's official website, one of the local sources for municipal records and contact information.

City Hall is located at 500 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. For bankruptcy-specific questions, direct inquiries to the federal courthouse at 300 W. 2nd Street.