Search Travis County Bankruptcy Records

Travis County bankruptcy records are filed with the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Austin Division. Austin and the surrounding areas fall under this federal court's jurisdiction. If you need to find a bankruptcy case, check a discharge status, or look up creditor claims filed in Travis County, you can access these records through PACER or by contacting the court clerk. This page covers how the system works, where to search, and what you need to file in Travis County.

Federal Bankruptcy Court for Travis County

All bankruptcy cases in Travis County go through the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, Austin Division. The Austin Division is located in Austin and covers Travis County along with Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Gillespie, Hays, Kimble, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, San Saba, Washington, and Williamson counties. This is a busy court given how much the Austin area has grown in recent years.

The court processes Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. You file petitions and documents with the clerk's office, and hearings are held at the Austin courthouse. Travis County is one of the most active bankruptcy districts in the Western District because of the large population in the Austin metro area.

The Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court serves Travis County through the Austin Division, handling all consumer and business bankruptcy filings in the Austin metro area.

Travis County residents can access court resources and case information through the Western District court's online portal and PACER.

Travis County Bankruptcy Record Search

The best way to search Travis County bankruptcy records is through PACER. This is the federal court's official system for public access to electronic court records. You can search by debtor name, case number, or tax ID. Results show case filings, schedules, meeting of creditors notices, and discharge orders. PACER charges a small per-page fee, though you will not be charged if your quarterly usage stays below the fee threshold.

To use PACER, register at pacer.uscourts.gov and then log in to access the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court. Select the Austin Division and run your search. The database covers recent filings going back many years. Older archived cases may require a direct request to the court clerk.

The Western District court website also offers free access to basic case status information. You can look up case numbers and check if a discharge was granted without paying PACER fees for every search.

Note: If you are looking up your own past case, you can request case documents directly from the court clerk's office by providing your name and approximate filing date.

Bankruptcy Filing in Travis County

Travis County residents file bankruptcy under Title 11 of the United States Code. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are by far the most common types for individuals. Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt like credit cards and medical bills, while Chapter 13 lets you keep assets and repay debt over three to five years. Businesses typically use Chapter 11 to reorganize their debts while staying operational.

The Western District requires specific filing procedures. You must submit one original and one copy of all forms, complete a Pro Se Questionnaire if you are not using an attorney, and file a creditor matrix along with a Verification of Matrix. Required forms are available on the court's forms page. It is important to use the most current versions of the official bankruptcy forms, as outdated forms can lead to rejection.

Before you file, federal law requires you to complete a credit counseling course. The counseling must be done within 180 days before you file your petition. Only agencies approved by the U.S. Trustee Program are acceptable. A list of approved providers is on the Western District website. After filing, you must also take a debtor education course before the court will issue a discharge.

The U.S. Trustee Austin Field Office oversees Travis County bankruptcy cases. The office is at 903 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 230, Austin, TX 78701, and the phone number is (512) 916-5328. The trustee reviews filed documents, holds the 341 meeting of creditors, and monitors cases for compliance.

Travis County Resources

The Travis County government maintains public records at the Austin courthouse. The County Clerk's office handles property records, recorded liens, and other documents that may be relevant in a bankruptcy involving real estate. If your bankruptcy involves real property in Travis County, the county clerk's records will be part of the picture.

Legal help is available through several organizations in the Austin area. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid serves low-income residents with free legal services including bankruptcy guidance. Austin Volunteer Legal Services offers clinics and referrals. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral line at (800) 252-9690 if you need help finding a bankruptcy attorney. TexasLawHelp has free self-help guides and official court forms.

Filing fees in the Western District are set by federal law. Fee waivers are available for individuals below the federal poverty line. You apply for the waiver when you submit your petition. The court reviews your application and decides. If approved, you pay nothing to file.

Related Counties

These counties are nearby or share the Austin Division of the Western District with Travis County.