Erie County Bankruptcy Records
Erie County bankruptcy records are on file at the Western District of New York Bankruptcy Court in Buffalo. This court sits at 2 Niagara Square, right in the heart of downtown, and serves as the headquarters for the entire Western District. You can search Erie County bankruptcy filings through PACER or walk into the courthouse and use the public access terminals for free. The County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street also keeps civil court records, judgment dockets, and land records that may tie into a bankruptcy case. Whether you need a full case file or just a quick status check, Erie County has several ways to get what you need.
Erie County Overview
Erie County Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York has its main office in Buffalo. It sits at 2 Niagara Square in the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse. The phone number is 716-362-3200. Public hours run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This court handles all bankruptcy cases filed by Erie County residents.
The Western District serves 17 counties across western New York. Erie County is the largest by far. Buffalo is where most of the action happens. The court also has an office in Rochester at 100 State Street for cases from the eastern part of the district. But if you live in Erie County, your case goes through Buffalo.
Public access terminals at the courthouse let you look up case data for free. You can search by name, case number, or Social Security number. Staff at the Clerk's Office can help you find what you need. Copies from the electronic case file system cost $0.50 per page. In Buffalo, you pay with exact change, money order, or certified check. No personal checks or credit cards.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Western District of New York |
|---|---|
| Address | Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse 2 Niagara Square Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | 716-362-3200 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Search Erie County Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER is the best way to search for Erie County bankruptcy records from home. Sign up for a free account, then search by the debtor's name or case number. PACER shows docket sheets, filed documents, schedules, and discharge orders. The fee is $0.10 per page with a $3.00 cap per document. Charges under $30 per quarter get waived.
You can also call the Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029. It is free and works around the clock. VCIS gives you basic case data like the filing date, chapter type, case status, discharge date, and trustee name. It does not provide document copies. For those, use PACER or visit the courthouse.
The Erie County Clerk's Office keeps state court records that may relate to a bankruptcy. Judgment dockets, liens, and foreclosure filings all live at the County Clerk. Online records are available through the BrowserView system. Land records go back to 1808. Court records start from 1957. Earlier records can be pulled with 5 to 7 days notice.
The Erie County Clerk's Office maintains state court records, land records dating to 1808, and judgment dockets that often connect to Erie County bankruptcy records.
The main office is at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo, with outreach centers at Eastern Hills Mall and the Southtowns location on Hamburg Turnpike.
Erie County Bankruptcy Records and Filing Process
When someone in Erie County files for bankruptcy, the case creates a set of records at the federal court. Chapter 7 is the most common type. The debtor lists all assets, debts, income, and expenses. A trustee reviews the case and may sell non-exempt property to pay creditors. Most Chapter 7 cases wrap up in three to six months.
Chapter 13 lets people with steady income keep their property while paying back debts over three to five years. The case file includes the repayment plan, payment records, and any plan modifications. These files tend to be larger because the case stays open longer. Chapter 11 filings for businesses create even bigger records with reorganization plans, disclosure statements, and creditor votes.
New York lets bankruptcy filers choose between state and federal exemptions. Under Section 282 of the Debtor and Creditor Law, Erie County falls in the lowest homestead exemption tier at $102,400. The motor vehicle exemption is $5,500 above liens. Retirement accounts are protected up to $1,711,975. These amounts come from the Department of Financial Services.
Note: Attorneys must file electronically through CM/ECF. Pro se debtors can file paper petitions at the Clerk's Office during business hours.
The Erie County online records portal provides access to land records and court filings that may connect to bankruptcy cases in the county.
Basic search is free. The system covers land records from 1808 and court records from 1957 to the present.
Getting Copies of Erie County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the fastest way to get copies. Log in, find the case, and download what you need. Documents are available almost right away after filing. Most records from the past 15 years or more are in the system.
At the Buffalo courthouse, copies cost $0.50 per page. Bring exact change, a money order, or a certified check. The court does not take cash bills, personal checks, or credit cards for copy fees. Meeting of creditors (341 meetings) for Erie County cases are held in Buffalo.
For older cases filed before June 16, 2003 and closed more than two years, the files may be at the National Archives. Contact the bankruptcy court first to get the transfer number and box number. Then submit NARA Form 90 to request the file. An entire case costs $90 from NARA.
Erie County Clerk and Related Records
The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street handles state court records. The phone number is 716-858-8785. The email is ErieCountyClerkOffice@erie.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk serves as the keeper of Supreme and County Court records for the 8th Judicial District.
The office also runs outreach centers. The Eastern Hills Mall location is at 4545 Transit Road in Williamsville (716-858-8864). The Southtowns center is at S-4949 Hamburg Turnpike in Hamburg (716-858-7450). Both offer Saturday hours from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Related court offices in Erie County include:
- Supreme and County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo (716-845-9301)
- Family Court at 1 Niagara Plaza, Buffalo (716-845-7400)
- Surrogate's Court at 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo (716-845-2500)
The eCourts system at iapps.courts.state.ny.us provides online case tracking for state court cases. NYSCEF handles electronic filing for Supreme Court matters. These state records can show judgments and liens that connect to a federal bankruptcy filing.
Cities in Erie County
Erie County covers Buffalo and many surrounding communities. All bankruptcy cases go through the Western District court in Buffalo.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Erie County. All are in the Western District.