New Haven Connecticut Bankruptcy Records
New Haven bankruptcy records are federal court documents. They are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. These records cover cases from New Haven and nearby towns. You can find petitions, creditor lists, and discharge orders. The court keeps these files at the New Haven Division courthouse. You can also view them online through PACER. This guide shows how to access bankruptcy records in New Haven.
Where to Find New Haven Bankruptcy Records
New Haven bankruptcy records are kept at the federal courthouse. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut maintains all case files. New Haven is one of three court divisions in the state. The court is in downtown New Haven. This makes it easy for local residents to visit.
Bankruptcy records in New Haven include many types of documents. You will find the voluntary petition that starts each case. Schedules list all assets and debts. The statement of financial affairs shows income and expenses. Creditor lists name everyone owed money. The discharge order ends the case. These records are public. Anyone can view them.
The New Haven Division handles cases from New Haven County. It also serves parts of Middlesex and New London counties. Most filings are Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 cases. Chapter 7 is a liquidation case. Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan. Both types create detailed bankruptcy records. These stay on file forever.
The Connecticut Bankruptcy Court website gives you direct access to case lookup tools and forms for the New Haven Division.
New Haven Division Federal Courthouse
The New Haven Division courthouse is located in New Haven. It sits in the Connecticut Financial Center at 157 Church Street. This downtown location puts the court right in the heart of New Haven. Local residents can walk or take the bus to reach it. The building is near the New Haven Green.
The courthouse is on the 18th floor of the Financial Center. Visitors use the main lobby elevators. Security staff check all bags at the entrance. You must pass through a metal detector. Bring a photo ID to show at security. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office closes for federal holidays.
Public access terminals are in the clerk office. You can use them to view bankruptcy records free of charge. These computers connect to the CM/ECF system. You can see case summaries and docket sheets. You can also view most document images. Printing costs $0.08 per page. Staff can help you find case numbers if needed.
Note: The New Haven Division is the only federal bankruptcy court located in New Haven city limits.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, New Haven Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 157 Church Street, 18th Floor New Haven, CT 06510 |
| Phone | (203) 773-2140 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | www.ctb.uscourts.gov/content/new-haven |
Parking near the New Haven courthouse can be a challenge. Street parking has time limits. Several paid garages are nearby. The Temple Street Garage is two blocks away. The Crown Street Garage is also close. CT Transit buses serve the downtown area. The New Haven Green is the main bus hub. Union Station is a short walk for train riders.
The New Haven Division page lists full contact details, hours, and directions for visiting the courthouse in person.
Online Access Methods
You can search New Haven bankruptcy records from home. PACER is the main tool for online access. It stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. This system has all federal court records. That includes every bankruptcy case in New Haven. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to register.
PACER charges $0.08 per page. Most documents cost less than $3.00. There is a cap of $30.00 per document. You pay nothing if you use less than $30 per quarter. This makes PACER cheap for light users. You can search by name or case number. Results show case status and party names. You can view and save document images.
PACER provides nationwide access to federal bankruptcy records including all cases filed in the New Haven Division.
The Voice Case Information System offers free phone access. Call 1-866-222-8029 any time of day. This is a 24-hour service. You need a touch-tone phone. Follow the prompts to search by name or case number. VCIS gives basic facts about each case. You hear the debtor name and case number. It tells you the filing date and case type. You learn the trustee name and 341 meeting date. It also states if the case is still open. No fees apply to VCIS calls.
Attorneys use CM/ECF to file documents. The public can view case data through this system too. Go to ecf.ctb.uscourts.gov. You need a login to use it. Contact the court to request access. Email ctb_ecf_registrations@ctb.uscourts.gov to start. CM/ECF shows real-time updates. You see new filings as soon as they post.
Local Resources
New Haven has several resources for bankruptcy help. The court offers programs for those who file without a lawyer. The Connecticut Bar Association has referral services. Legal aid groups serve low-income residents. These local options can guide you through the process.
The New Haven County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to find a bankruptcy attorney. They match you with lawyers in the area. The first meeting has a low fee. This helps you learn your options. You can find them online or call their main line.
Connecticut Legal Services helps those who qualify. They offer free aid to low-income clients. They have offices across the state. Staff can answer questions about bankruptcy. They do not file cases for you. But they can explain the steps. Visit www.ctlegal.org to learn more.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch website has forms and guides. Go to www.jud.ct.gov for state court records. Note that state courts do not handle bankruptcy. Only federal courts hear these cases. The state site helps with other legal needs. It has court rules and contact info.
Note: Local law libraries in New Haven offer free access to legal research tools and bankruptcy form books.
Nearby Cities
The New Haven Division serves many cities and towns. Residents from nearby areas file their cases here. All these locations use the same courthouse on Church Street. The court draws cases from a wide region. Below are some of the main nearby cities.
Waterbury is north of New Haven. It is the fifth largest city in Connecticut. Waterbury residents file bankruptcy at the New Haven Division. The city has a mix of industrial and service jobs. Many Waterbury filers use Chapter 13 plans. These let them keep homes and cars while paying debts over time.
Meriden sits between New Haven and Hartford. It is known as the Silver City. Meriden residents also use the New Haven courthouse. The city has about 60,000 people. Like other nearby towns, it sends bankruptcy cases to New Haven. The courthouse is a short drive south on Interstate 91.
West Haven borders New Haven to the west. It is a coastal city with over 50,000 residents. West Haven filers have the shortest trip to court. Some can even walk to the courthouse. The city has diverse housing and schools. Bankruptcy cases from West Haven all go to the New Haven Division.
Hamden is just north of New Haven. It is a suburban town with Quinnipiac University. Hamden residents file at the New Haven courthouse too. The town has both residential and commercial areas. Many Hamden filers own homes. Chapter 13 cases help them avoid foreclosure.
Milford is on the coast southwest of New Haven. It has a historic downtown and shopping malls. Milford residents file bankruptcy in New Haven. The city serves as a retail hub for the region. Some Milford cases involve business debts. Others are personal filings from local workers.
Helpful Links
These links help you access New Haven bankruptcy records. Each site serves a different purpose. Use them to search cases, find forms, or get court info.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has the main court site. It lists all three divisions. You can find local rules and forms. Visit www.ctb.uscourts.gov to start.
The New Haven Division page has specific local info. It gives the address and phone number. You can find hours and parking tips. Go to www.ctb.uscourts.gov/content/new-haven for details.
PACER is the best tool for online record searches. It has case data from all federal courts. Register at pacer.uscourts.gov. You can search by name or case number.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch site covers state courts. It does not have bankruptcy records. But it has other useful legal info. Visit www.jud.ct.gov to learn more.
New Haven County Bankruptcy Records
New Haven is the county seat of New Haven County. It is the largest city in the county. All New Haven County bankruptcy filings go to the New Haven Division. The county has over 20 cities and towns. Together they send thousands of cases to the court each year.