Queens County Bankruptcy Records
Queens County bankruptcy records are filed in the Eastern District of New York at the Brooklyn courthouse. Queens is one of the most populated counties in the state, and its bankruptcy cases go through the Conrad B. Duberstein Courthouse on Cadman Plaza East. You can search for Queens County bankruptcy records through PACER, use the free WebCivil case search for related state court cases, or visit the Brooklyn courthouse to access public terminals at no cost. The Queens County Clerk on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica handles related civil court filings. Here is everything you need to find Queens County bankruptcy records.
Queens County Bankruptcy Records Overview
Queens County Bankruptcy Filing Court
Queens County falls under the Eastern District of New York Bankruptcy Court. Cases from Queens go to the Brooklyn courthouse at 271-C Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The phone is 347-394-1700. The Central Islip office at 290 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, NY 11722 (631-712-6200) mainly handles Long Island cases, but you can access Queens records there too.
The Eastern District serves five counties: Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), and Suffolk. Queens County cases are typically assigned to the Brooklyn division. Meeting of creditors take place in Brooklyn for Queens residents. The court handles all bankruptcy chapters including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13.
Attorneys must file through CM/ECF. Pro se filers can submit paper petitions at the Clerk's Office. Public access terminals at both locations let you search for free. The court offers a Loss Mitigation Program for debtors seeking loan modifications under court supervision. Non-emergency questions can go to ECF.Helpdesk@nyeb.uscourts.gov.
The Queens County Clerk's Office at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica keeps Supreme Court records and civil filings that connect to bankruptcy cases.
County Clerk Audrey I. Pheffer's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
How to Search Queens County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main search tool for Queens County bankruptcy filings. Create a free account. Search by name, case number, Social Security number, or tax ID. The fee is $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived.
You can also search for related state court cases through the WebCivil case search. This covers Queens County Supreme Court civil cases. Foreclosure actions, money judgments, and other civil matters that tie into bankruptcy show up here. It is free to use.
The PACER Case Locator searches all federal courts nationally. It catches cases even if the debtor filed in a different district. For phone inquiries, VCIS at 866-222-8029 is free and available 24/7. You get the basics: filing date, chapter, status, and discharge info.
Queens County Clerk Records
The Queens County Clerk is at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435. General phone is 718-298-0600. Email is queenscountyclerk@nycourts.gov. The office is part of the 11th Judicial District. Hours are Monday through Friday with a midday break: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, then 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. County Clerk Audrey I. Pheffer oversees Supreme Court records, civil case filings, land records, notary services, and passport applications.
State court records from Queens connect to bankruptcy cases in many ways. A money judgment in Supreme Court can lead a debtor to file bankruptcy. Foreclosure actions often precede bankruptcy filings. Liens on property show up in both the county records and the bankruptcy schedules. If you want the full picture of a Queens County debtor's legal and financial history, check both the federal bankruptcy file and the county clerk's records.
The Surrogate's Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard (718-298-0700) handles estates and probate. Estate records can matter in bankruptcy if a debtor is entitled to an inheritance. WebSurrogate at websurrogates.nycourts.gov lets you search these records online for free.
Bankruptcy Exemptions in Queens County
Queens County is in the highest tier of New York homestead exemptions. Under Section 282 of the Debtor and Creditor Law, filers choosing state exemptions can protect up to $204,825 in home equity. This reflects the high property values in Queens. The motor vehicle exemption is $5,500 above liens. Retirement accounts are protected up to $1,711,975.
Social Security, unemployment benefits, and veterans' benefits are fully exempt. Debtors must have lived in New York for 730 days before filing to use state exemptions. You pick state or federal on Schedule C. No mixing allowed. Queens County's high homestead exemption helps homeowners keep more equity in their property through bankruptcy than filers in upstate counties where the cap is $102,400.
Copies of Queens County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is fastest at $0.10 per page. In-person copies at the Brooklyn courthouse cost $0.50 per page for cases in the electronic system. Written opinions are free on PACER. For cases closed before June 16, 2003 and sent to NARA, contact the court for tracking numbers first. NARA charges $90 for complete files.
Nearby County Bankruptcy Records
These counties also file in the Eastern District of New York.
Cities in Queens County
Queens County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Bankruptcy records for Queens residents are accessed through the Eastern District court system.