Amarillo Bankruptcy Records Database
Amarillo bankruptcy records are filed under the Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Amarillo Division. Amarillo sits in both Potter and Randall counties, and the federal court serves both. Cases from this area are filed in Lubbock but hearings are held at the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building in Amarillo. You can search for filed cases through the PACER system and pull up complete dockets, including petitions, schedules, and discharge orders. Public access to these records is guaranteed under federal law.
Amarillo Overview
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Amarillo
Amarillo is served by the Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court. The court has a division office in Amarillo at the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building, 205 Southeast Fifth Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101. Cases from the Amarillo area are processed through the Lubbock clerk's office but hearings take place in Amarillo. This setup means you file paperwork in Lubbock but appear in court locally. Call the Northern District clerk before you go to confirm hours and the current hearing schedule.
The Amarillo Division covers Potter County and Randall County. Because Amarillo straddles both counties, residents on the south side of the city may be in Randall County while those to the north are in Potter County. Both are covered by the same court, so it does not matter much for the bankruptcy filing itself, but it can affect which county clerk holds your property records.
| Court | Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court |
|---|---|
| Division | Amarillo Division |
| Hearing Location | J. Marvin Jones Federal Building, 205 SE Fifth Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Website | txnb.uscourts.gov |
| U.S. Trustee | Region 6 (Dallas) |
The U.S. Trustee Program for Region 6 oversees cases in the Northern District. Trustee contact information is listed through the Department of Justice regional offices page. The trustee reviews cases for compliance with the Bankruptcy Code and can object to discharges if problems arise with a petition.
Amarillo Bankruptcy Records Search
Use PACER to search bankruptcy cases linked to Amarillo. The system covers the full Northern District of Texas, so you can search by name, business name, or case number. Each case record on PACER includes the petition, all filed documents, and a docket sheet showing every action taken in the case. PACER charges a per-page fee but offers a quarterly threshold below which fees are waived for small searches. You need a PACER account to get started.
The City of Amarillo's official website at amarillo.gov can help you locate city offices and government contacts. The Potter County Clerk maintains property and civil records for the Potter County portion of Amarillo. For the Randall County portion, contact the Randall County Clerk. These county offices hold records like deeds and liens that may be relevant to a bankruptcy case involving real estate.
Older Amarillo bankruptcy cases that predate PACER may be available from the National Archives. You can request records through the archives if PACER does not have what you need. The clerk's office can also help direct you to archived files.
The City of Amarillo operates an official website at amarillo.gov with city services, contact information, and government resources.
Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle and spans both Potter and Randall counties. Bankruptcy filings for residents go through the Northern District of Texas Amarillo Division.
Filing Bankruptcy in Amarillo
Amarillo residents file bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas. The case is assigned to the Amarillo Division. You file a petition and supporting schedules, which become public records under 11 U.S.C. ยง 107. The court may seal certain documents for privacy, such as Social Security numbers, but the rest of the file is open. Anyone with a PACER account can view the case after it is filed.
Chapter 7 cases move quickly. You list your assets and debts, pass the means test, and attend one meeting of creditors. If the trustee finds no non-exempt assets, the case is a no-asset case and closes after the discharge is granted. Texas has generous exemptions that let most filers keep their home, car, and basic personal property. The Texas homestead exemption is unlimited in value for property up to a certain acreage, which is significant for Amarillo homeowners.
Chapter 13 filings involve a three- to five-year repayment plan. You must have regular income to propose a plan. This chapter is often used by people who are behind on a mortgage and want to catch up without losing the home. The plan gets confirmed by the judge and then administered by a standing Chapter 13 trustee who collects and distributes your payments to creditors. Call the clerk or check the Northern District site for the name and contact of the standing trustee in the Amarillo area.
Note: Although hearings are held in Amarillo, the filing office for the Amarillo Division is through the Lubbock clerk. Confirm the correct mailing address on the court's website before sending any documents.
Potter County government information is available at mypottercounty.com, which includes the county clerk's office for property and official records.
Potter County is home to most of the City of Amarillo. The county clerk maintains deeds, liens, and other records that can intersect with bankruptcy cases involving local property.
Randall County covers the southern portion of Amarillo, and county records are available through the Randall County government website.
Residents of Amarillo who live in Randall County file the same bankruptcy cases with the same Northern District court. The county line does not affect the federal filing, only which county clerk holds local property records.
Amarillo Resources
Legal help in Amarillo for bankruptcy matters is available through several channels. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and other regional legal aid providers may serve Panhandle residents. Call the State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 to find a local bankruptcy attorney. The bar's online directory at the State Bar website can also help you search for lawyers by city and practice area.
The Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court posts local rules, required forms, and self-help information on its website. Download the local rules before you prepare any filings, since the Northern District has specific requirements for documents, formatting, and how certain motions must be presented. Missing a local rule requirement can cause delays or dismissal of your case.
For general information on how bankruptcy works, the U.S. Courts website at pacer.uscourts.gov explains the PACER system and how to register. The federal courts site also provides overviews of each chapter type and links to approved credit counseling providers for the Texas Panhandle area.
Nearby Cities
Other Texas cities with bankruptcy record pages on this site:
Potter County Bankruptcy Records
Most of Amarillo lies within Potter County. Bankruptcy cases for those residents go through the Northern District of Texas Amarillo Division. For more on the county-level records and local court resources, visit the Potter County bankruptcy records page.