Access Marion County Bankruptcy Records
Marion County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas and are public documents available through PACER. This page explains how to search for bankruptcy filings, contact Circuit Clerk Dawn Moffet in Yellville, and find related court records for Marion County.
Marion County at a Glance
Western District Bankruptcy Court for Marion County
Bankruptcy cases filed by Marion County residents go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas. The main courthouse is at 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Phone: 1-833-853-0345. The court handles Chapter 7 liquidation cases, Chapter 13 reorganization plans, and Chapter 11 business filings. All case records become public after filing.
The court also has a Fayetteville divisional office at 35 E. Mountain Street, Room 316, Fayetteville, AR 72701, phone 479-582-9800. For Marion County filers, the Fayetteville location may be more convenient depending on where you live. Keep in mind that the Fayetteville office does not accept cash payments. Mail any checks or money orders to the Fort Smith or Little Rock address.
Attorneys file through CM/ECF electronically. Pro se filers submit paper documents at a courthouse. After filing, all case information appears on PACER within a short time. The discharge order, dismissal order, and all docket entries are public record.
Marion County Circuit Clerk
The Marion County Circuit Clerk is Dawn Moffet. The office is at P.O. Box 545, Yellville, AR 72687-0545. Phone: (870) 449-6231. The Circuit Clerk maintains state court records for the 14th Judicial District, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. State court records are separate from federal bankruptcy records, but they often contain related financial information.
The Circuit Clerk also serves as the ex-officio recorder for Marion County. All real estate deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded at this office. When a bankruptcy trustee evaluates a debtor's assets, the real property records at the Circuit Clerk's office are a key source. Mortgages and tax liens will appear in the debtor's schedules and must be addressed in the bankruptcy plan or liquidation.
For in-person record access, visit the Yellville courthouse during business hours. The clerk's staff can help you locate case files, make copies, and issue certified documents. Fees for copies are set by state statute. Call ahead to confirm hours and current fee rates.
The Marion County Circuit Clerk's official website provides information on court records and land records maintained at the Yellville courthouse.
How to Search Marion County Bankruptcy Filings
PACER is the tool to use for federal bankruptcy records. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov and register for a free account. Once logged in, select the Western District of Arkansas Bankruptcy Court and search by debtor name or case number. You can also search by the last four digits of a Social Security number if you have that data.
Document access costs $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Accounts charged less than $30 in a quarter are not billed. This makes PACER practical for single-case lookups. For more regular use, setting up billing on a credit card at registration is straightforward.
The free phone option is the Multi-court Voice Case Information System at 1-866-222-8029. This automated line is available around the clock and gives basic case details including filing date, chapter, status, and discharge date. It's a good first check if you just need to confirm whether someone filed for bankruptcy.
Another option is the PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov. This tool searches all federal courts at once and can confirm which district holds a particular case. Results are updated each night from court systems across the country.
State Court Records for Marion County
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the official free portal for state circuit court records. Search by party name or case number for civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases filed in Marion County. The system does not include federal bankruptcy filings, but it shows state court judgments and other records that often appear as debts in a bankruptcy case.
Civil judgments in Marion County state court can create liens on real property. If a creditor won a judgment before the bankruptcy was filed, that judgment may appear both in CourtConnect and in the debtor's bankruptcy schedules. Both sources are public, and comparing them can reveal the full scope of a person's legal obligations.
For records that are not available online, contact the Marion County Circuit Clerk directly. Some records are sealed or restricted under Arkansas Administrative Order 19 and require a court order to access. The clerk's staff can advise on what is available and what process is needed for restricted records.
The Arkansas Association of Counties directory lists contact information for Marion County officials including the Circuit Clerk and County Judge.
Marion County Bankruptcy Record Contents
A bankruptcy case file is a detailed public document. The petition names the debtor and states which chapter of the Bankruptcy Code applies. Schedules list all real property, personal property, bank accounts, vehicles, and other assets. Another set of schedules lists all debts, secured and unsecured. Creditor claims and trustee reports are also part of the file.
The statement of financial affairs covers the debtor's recent income, payments to creditors in the 90 days before filing, and transfers of property. This document helps the court and trustee assess the case for any preferential payments or fraudulent transfers. All of this detail is in the public record.
The final discharge or dismissal order ends the case. A discharge order means the court has released the debtor from qualifying debts. A dismissal means the case was closed without relief. Both outcomes are documented on PACER and remain part of the permanent federal court record.
Nearby Counties
Marion County is in northern Arkansas. Surrounding counties also fall under the Western District for bankruptcy purposes.