White Plains Bankruptcy Records
White Plains bankruptcy records are filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and the city is home to one of the district's courthouses. The White Plains courthouse at 300 Quarropas Street handles bankruptcy cases from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, and Dutchess counties. Searching for records filed here is straightforward through PACER or a visit to the clerk's office. This page covers where cases get filed, how to search, local fees, and which White Plains offices can help with records tied to a bankruptcy case.
White Plains Bankruptcy Records Overview
Where White Plains Bankruptcy Cases Are Filed
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has a courthouse right in White Plains at 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601. The phone number is 914-467-7250. This location handles bankruptcy cases from six suburban and Hudson Valley counties. The clerk's office is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Having the courthouse in the city makes it convenient for White Plains residents to file in person, attend hearings, and use the public access terminals.
The White Plains City Clerk is at City Hall, 255 Main Street. Phone 914-422-1200. The White Plains City Court is at 77 South Lexington Avenue, 914-824-5675. Neither office handles bankruptcy filings, but both keep local court and city records that sometimes connect to bankruptcy cases. The city court handles small claims and civil matters for White Plains residents.
The Westchester County Clerk at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 914-995-3080, maintains state court records. The county clerk offers online record access for $20 per 24-hour session. Judgments, liens, and property records from Westchester County courts often appear in White Plains bankruptcy filings.
Search White Plains Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER is the main way to look up White Plains bankruptcy records. Sign up for a free account. Search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. The cost is $0.10 per page for documents, capped at $3.00 each. Case searches are free. Quarterly charges under $30 get waived. PACER has Southern District cases going back many years, so most White Plains filings from the past two decades are in the system.
The White Plains courthouse has public access terminals. Walk in and search for free during business hours. The terminals show docket sheets, filed documents, and case status. Staff at the clerk's office can help if you need assistance finding a specific case or record.
Call VCIS at 866-222-8029 for free case status checks. It runs 24/7. You get the filing date, case chapter, discharge date, trustee name, and attorney. No documents through VCIS, but it is fast for basic checks on any White Plains bankruptcy case.
Note: The Southern District is one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in the country, so the White Plains office can be busy during peak hours.
The City of White Plains website provides local government contacts and resources for residents searching for bankruptcy records and related court filings.
City Hall is located at 255 Main Street and houses the city clerk's office along with other departments.
Westchester County Records and White Plains Bankruptcy
The Westchester County Clerk at 111 Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard is a key resource for records tied to White Plains bankruptcy cases. Judgments filed in Westchester County Supreme Court become liens on real property. These liens must be addressed in a bankruptcy filing. The county clerk records lien releases and judgment satisfactions after a discharge. Online record access is available through the county clerk's portal for $20 per 24-hour session.
White Plains is in the 9th Judicial District for state court matters. The eCourts system lets you search for civil cases in Westchester County courts. Property records, foreclosure actions, and civil judgments are all searchable. The county clerk's office is open Monday through Friday and handles walk-in record requests. Copy fees run $0.25 per page for regular copies and $5.00 for certified copies.
The White Plains City Court handles civil and criminal cases locally, and its records can be relevant to bankruptcy filings involving judgments or collection actions against White Plains residents.
City Court is at 77 South Lexington Avenue. Civil matters can be reached at the main court line.
White Plains Bankruptcy Fees and Record Costs
Filing fees for White Plains bankruptcy cases follow the federal schedule. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Chapter 11 runs $1,738. Low-income filers may qualify for a fee waiver or installment plan from the court.
PACER charges $0.10 per page for White Plains bankruptcy record copies, maxing out at $3.00 per document. At the courthouse, copies are $0.50 per page for electronic case file documents. Audio recordings of court proceedings cost $2.40 each. Older files stored at the National Archives cost $90 for a full case file, $35 for preselected documents, and $35 for a docket sheet. Certification adds $15 to any NARA request. Westchester County Clerk charges $0.25 per page for state court record copies.
Bankruptcy Exemptions in White Plains
White Plains residents who file for bankruptcy choose between state and federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. Section 522(b). Westchester County sits in the highest tier for New York's homestead exemption. White Plains filers can protect up to $204,825 in equity in their primary home under Section 282 of the Debtor and Creditor Law. That is the top amount available in New York, shared with the five boroughs and a few other suburban counties.
Other key exemptions include a motor vehicle up to $5,500 above liens. Personal property has aggregate limits. Retirement accounts are protected up to $1,711,975 per person. Social Security, unemployment, and workers' compensation are fully exempt from creditor claims. You need 730 days of New York residency before filing to use state exemptions.
White Plains Bankruptcy Court Resources
The White Plains courthouse is a full-service bankruptcy court location. You can file cases, attend hearings, meet with the clerk, and use public access terminals all in one place. Attorneys file through the CM/ECF electronic system. Pro se debtors bring paper petitions to the clerk's office during business hours.
Meeting of creditors for White Plains and broader Westchester County cases take place at the courthouse. Before filing, credit counseling from an approved provider is required. After filing, a debtor education course must be completed before discharge. The Westchester County Bar Association and Legal Aid Society of Westchester can help connect residents with bankruptcy attorneys or free legal help. The New York State court records page is another resource for finding related state court filings.
Westchester County Bankruptcy Records
White Plains is the county seat of Westchester County. For broader county resources and court details, see the full county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near White Plains and share the Southern District for bankruptcy filings.