Search Arkansas County Bankruptcy Records
Arkansas County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and are available to the public through PACER, the federal court's online records system. This page covers how to find case filings, access court documents, and reach the local offices that handle related court records in this county.
Arkansas County at a Glance
Arkansas County Bankruptcy Court and Federal Filing Process
All bankruptcy cases for Arkansas County residents are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The main courthouse is located at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The phone number is 501-918-5500. People who live or run a business in Arkansas County file their bankruptcy petition at this court. The court handles Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 filings.
Chapter 7 is the most common type of personal bankruptcy. It lets a debtor eliminate most unsecured debts. Chapter 13 allows someone to keep their property and repay debts over three to five years. Chapter 11 is mostly used by businesses. Chapter 12 is designed for family farmers and fishermen. Each type carries different filing fees and requirements. The court's website at arb.uscourts.gov has the current fee schedule and local rules.
Arkansas County is part of the Eastern District, which covers 41 counties. Cases are filed electronically through the court's CM/ECF system. Attorneys must register to e-file. People without attorneys, called pro se filers, must submit paper documents in person or by mail to the Little Rock office.
How to Access Arkansas County Bankruptcy Records on PACER
PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is the main tool for looking up federal bankruptcy case files. You can search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number (last four digits). PACER shows the full docket, filed documents, creditor lists, and discharge orders. The cost is $0.10 per page, but charges under $30 per quarter are waived. Registration is free at pacer.gov.
Once you have an account, use the PACER Case Locator to find cases filed in any federal court. This is useful if you are not sure which district a person filed in. You can search by name across all courts at once. The locator is free to search, though viewing documents still costs the per-page fee.
If you do not want to use PACER, you can also call the court's automated phone system. The Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-222-8029. It gives basic case status, filing date, chapter, and discharge information. You will need the debtor's name or case number to use it.
Arkansas County Circuit Clerk and Local Court Records
The Arkansas County Circuit Clerk maintains state court records for the 11th Judicial District. The clerk handles civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations filings, probate matters, and juvenile cases. The circuit clerk's office also serves as the recorder of deeds, keeping real estate records, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings. These records are separate from federal bankruptcy records but may be relevant in some cases, especially when a debtor has liens or judgments on file.
The official website for the Arkansas County Circuit Clerk is www.arcocircuitclerk.com. The clerk of record is Sarah Merchant. The main courthouse is at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042. There is also an alternate office at 309 S. College St., Stuttgart, AR 72160. Phone: (870) 946-4321. Office hours follow standard county business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
You can also search state-level circuit court records through CourtConnect, Arkansas's official public court search portal. This system covers civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations cases filed in Arkansas circuit courts. Not all records are fully visible online due to privacy rules under Administrative Order 19, but case numbers, filing dates, and party names are generally available.
What Arkansas County Bankruptcy Records Contain
A bankruptcy case file contains a lot of information. Each record typically includes the debtor's full name, the last four digits of their Social Security number or tax ID, the case number, the chapter filed under, the filing date, and the name of the assigned judge. The file also lists all creditors, the amounts owed, and whether debts are secured or unsecured.
The file includes the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities. This covers all property owned and all debts owed at the time of filing. It also includes a statement of financial affairs, which shows income, recent payments to creditors, and lawsuits. Meeting of creditors notices, trustee reports, and the final discharge order are all part of the case file as well.
These records are public. The Federal Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act give anyone the right to access them. Certain personal details, like full Social Security numbers, are sealed, but most of the case content is open for review.
Arkansas County Bankruptcy Court Records Portal
The Arkansas County Court Records Search Portal provides access to county court case information including criminal, civil, and domestic relations records. Users can search by case number or party name to find basic case information, filing dates, case type, and status. This portal handles state-level records rather than federal bankruptcy filings, but it is useful for checking whether a party has related civil actions or judgments on file in the county.
For the most complete picture of someone's legal history in Arkansas County, it helps to check both the federal PACER system for bankruptcy cases and the state CourtConnect portal for circuit court cases. The two systems are separate and do not share data.
The Arkansas County Circuit Clerk website at arcocircuitclerk.com is the official office for state court records in this county.
Arkansas County Bankruptcy Filing Fees and Process
Filing fees for bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Arkansas are set by federal law. Chapter 7 carries an administrative fee of $78 plus a filing fee totaling $338. Chapter 13 totals $313. Chapter 11 totals $1,738. Fee waivers are available for Chapter 7 filers whose income is below 150% of the federal poverty level. Courts may also allow installment payments.
Arkansas law provides certain exemptions that protect property from creditors in bankruptcy. The homestead exemption protects a primary residence up to $2,500 in value outside city limits (up to 160 acres), or up to $2,500 in value inside city limits (up to 1 acre). Personal property exemptions protect clothing, some retirement funds, and limited amounts of household goods. Filers can choose between Arkansas state exemptions or federal exemptions, but cannot mix the two.
The process starts when the debtor files a petition with the court. A trustee is assigned and a Meeting of Creditors is scheduled, usually 21 to 50 days after filing. Creditors may attend and ask questions. After the meeting, the trustee reviews the case. In Chapter 7, a discharge is typically granted within a few months if no issues arise.
The Arkansas County Court Records portal allows users to search case information by name or case number online.
Local Resources for Arkansas County Bankruptcy Filers
People in Arkansas County who need help with bankruptcy can contact the Arkansas Judiciary's Administrative Office of the Courts at (501) 410-1900 or toll-free at (866) 823-5778. The office can help with questions about the CourtConnect system and finding court records. For PACER help, contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856, available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents in Arkansas County. Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas both provide free or low-cost legal help to people who qualify. A bankruptcy attorney can review your case before you file and explain which chapter fits your situation. The Arkansas federal court also has a self-help section on its website for pro se filers.
Nearby Counties
Arkansas County borders several other counties in the Arkansas Delta region. You can find bankruptcy record information for these nearby counties as well.