Richmond County Bankruptcy Records

Richmond County bankruptcy records are filed at the Eastern District of New York Bankruptcy Court in Brooklyn. Richmond County covers Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. The County Clerk's office at 130 Stuyvesant Place is the oldest government institution on Staten Island, dating back to 1683. While the federal bankruptcy court sits in Brooklyn, the County Clerk and local state courts handle civil records, judgments, and land filings that tie into bankruptcy cases. Here is how to access Richmond County bankruptcy records.

Richmond County Bankruptcy Court

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York handles all Richmond County bankruptcy cases. The courthouse is at 271 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn. Phone is 347-394-1700. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. There is no federal bankruptcy courthouse on Staten Island, so Richmond County residents file in Brooklyn.

The Eastern District covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Richmond County is one of five counties in this district. All bankruptcy filings, hearings, and 341 meetings of creditors for Staten Island residents happen at the Brooklyn courthouse. The court also has a Long Island office in Central Islip.

Public terminals at the Brooklyn courthouse let you look up case records at no charge. Copies cost $0.50 per page. The court takes checks, money orders, and credit cards for fees. Pro se filers can submit paper petitions at the Clerk's Office window.

Search Richmond County Bankruptcy Records Online

PACER is the best way to search Richmond County bankruptcy records from home. Create a free account, then search by debtor name or case number. Fees are $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges under $30 get waived.

VCIS at 866-222-8029 offers free phone access around the clock. You get basic case data like filing dates, chapter type, case status, and trustee name. No documents through VCIS. For full case files, use PACER or visit the Brooklyn courthouse.

The PACER Case Locator searches every federal court in the country. It is useful when someone may have filed in a different district. Staten Island residents sometimes file in the Southern District of New York instead, so checking both districts can save time.

The Richmond County Clerk's website provides information about court records and land filings that may relate to Richmond County bankruptcy records.

The Clerk's office on Stuyvesant Place has served Staten Island since 1683, making it the oldest government institution on the island.

Richmond County Clerk's Office

The Richmond County Clerk is at 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301. Phone is 718-675-7700. The Clerk is Hon. Stephen Fiala. This office has been the main record keeper for Staten Island since 1683. It handles Supreme Court records, land filings, and other civil documents for the 13th Judicial District.

The Clerk's office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, and court judgments. These records matter in bankruptcy because they show what property a debtor owns and what claims exist against it. A judgment lien filed at the County Clerk can become part of a bankruptcy estate.

Other court offices on Staten Island that handle related records:

• Surrogate's Court at 18 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island (646-386-3033)
• Civil Court at 927 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island (718-675-8458)

Surrogate's Court deals with estates and probate matters. When a deceased person has debts, the probate case may overlap with a bankruptcy filing. Civil Court handles small claims and housing disputes that can feed into a debtor's financial picture.

Getting Copies of Richmond County Bankruptcy Records

PACER is the quickest way to get copies. Log in, find the case, and download documents immediately. Most records from the past 15 years are available electronically. Written opinions are free on PACER.

At the Brooklyn courthouse, copies cost $0.50 per page. The court takes checks, money orders, and credit cards. Staff can help you locate specific filings. Meeting of creditors for Richmond County cases happen at the Brooklyn courthouse.

Older cases that closed before the electronic system may be stored at the National Archives. Contact the bankruptcy court first for the transfer number and box number. Then file NARA Form 90 to request the case. A complete file costs $90 from NARA.

Richmond County Bankruptcy Exemptions

Staten Island filers pick between New York state exemptions and federal exemptions. They cannot use both. The state homestead exemption for Richmond County is $199,975, which is the highest tier along with the rest of New York City. The motor vehicle exemption is $5,500 above liens. Retirement accounts are shielded up to $1,711,975.

Under Section 282 of the Debtor and Creditor Law, a debtor must have lived in New York for at least 730 days to use state exemptions. The Department of Financial Services updates these amounts every three years. Social Security and veterans' benefits are fully exempt regardless of which system you choose.

Filing Costs

Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Chapter 11 is $1,738. Fee waivers are available for Chapter 7 filers who qualify. Installment plans let you pay over time. Credit counseling before filing and debtor education before discharge are both required by federal law.

The U.S. Trustee Program maintains a list of approved counseling and education providers. Most offer online and phone options. Costs run $15 to $50 per course. The U.S. Trustee for Region 2 oversees all New York bankruptcy cases.

Cities in Richmond County

Richmond County is coextensive with Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City.

Nearby Counties

These counties are closest to Richmond County.