Find Michigan Bankruptcy Records
Michigan bankruptcy records are public court documents held by the federal Judiciary. All cases in the state go through one of two federal districts: the Eastern District or the Western District. You can search filings online through PACER, view them at a courthouse terminal for free, or request copies by mail. This guide covers where these records are kept across Michigan, how to search them, what fees apply, and what you will find inside a bankruptcy case file. Whether you need your own records or are researching a case, the resources here cover every county in the state.
Michigan Bankruptcy Records Overview
Michigan Bankruptcy Court System
Bankruptcy is federal law. State courts do not hear bankruptcy cases. Michigan has two federal districts that cover all 83 counties. The Eastern District handles 34 counties in southeast, central, and northeast Michigan. The Western District covers 49 counties across western Michigan and the entire Upper Peninsula. Knowing which district serves your county tells you where to file and where to look up records.
The Eastern District is based in Detroit at 211 West Fort Street. It also has offices in Flint at 226 West Second Street and in Bay City at 111 First Street. The Detroit office handles the metro area including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The Flint office serves Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties. Bay City takes in a large number of central and northern Lower Peninsula counties. All three offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The main Detroit line is (313) 234-0065. General case help email is cmecfhelpdesk@mieb.uscourts.gov.
The Western District runs out of Grand Rapids at One Division Avenue, North, Room 200. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays. The main phone is (616) 456-2693 and the case info email is MIWB_CaseInfo@miwb.uscourts.gov. A second office in Marquette at 202 W. Washington St., Room 314 serves Upper Peninsula counties. That office can be reached at (906) 226-2117.
The Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court website covers all case resources, local rules, and forms for the eastern 34 counties. The Western District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court provides the same for the western 49 counties. Both sites let you find which office serves your specific county.
The Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court homepage is the starting point for any search involving the 34 counties under its jurisdiction.
The site links to PACER registration, local forms, court locations, and case access tools for all Eastern District Michigan bankruptcy filings.
Eastern District Court Locations in Michigan
Three offices serve the Eastern District. Detroit is the main courthouse. Flint and Bay City each handle their surrounding counties. All three are federal facilities with public access terminals available during business hours.
Detroit covers the most populous area. Wayne County cases go here, along with filings from Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, and Jackson counties among others. The Flint courthouse at 226 West Second Street serves a four-county region. Bay City at 111 First Street serves a wide ring of central and northern counties, from Saginaw and Midland to Alcona and Montmorency far to the north. Public terminals at each location let you search and view records at no charge. Printing from those terminals costs $0.10 per page.
The Eastern District court locations page lists each office's address, phone number, county coverage, and directions. It also shows which counties go to which office, which can save you a trip to the wrong courthouse.
The locations page also notes any holiday closures and special operating schedules for each of the three Eastern District Michigan offices.
Note: All three Eastern District of Michigan offices close on federal holidays and may have limited hours around major holidays, so call ahead before visiting.
Western District Michigan Bankruptcy Courts
Grand Rapids serves as the main filing location for the Western District. The Marquette office handles Upper Peninsula counties. Select case hearings may also take place at satellite locations in Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City, though those are not full-service offices.
The Western District court locations page has detailed info on each location, including which counties fall under each office. If you are in a western Michigan county and unsure where to file, this page will point you to the right office. For general questions, call the Grand Rapids main line at (616) 456-2693 or contact Marquette at (906) 226-2117 for Upper Peninsula matters.
The Western District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court website is the main resource for all 49 counties under its jurisdiction.
From the Western District site you can access local rules, forms, the case management system, and court contact information for all western Michigan and Upper Peninsula counties.
How to Search Michigan Bankruptcy Records Online
PACER is the primary tool for searching bankruptcy records in Michigan. The name stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is run by the federal Judiciary and covers all federal courts nationwide, including both Michigan districts. You register for a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov and can then search cases at any time from any device.
Once logged in, you can search by debtor name, case number, or Social Security number. The system returns a list of cases that match your search. From there, you can view party lists, attorney names, the assigned judge, case type, and the full docket. Most documents filed after December 1, 2003 are available as images you can download. Documents cost $0.10 per page to view or save, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document. Users billed quarterly. If your total charges for a quarter come in under $30, those fees are waived entirely. This means many casual users pay nothing at all.
PACER also has a phone-based option called the Voice Case Information System, or VCIS. Dial 866-222-8029 to use it. It is free. Available 24 hours a day. You need the debtor's full name or case number to get results. Basic case status and hearing dates are available this way.
The PACER registration page lets you create an account and learn about fee structures and access options for all federal courts.
After signing up for PACER, you can search Michigan bankruptcy filings from the Eastern or Western District at any hour, seven days a week.
Note: PACER fees are waived each quarter if your total charges stay under $30, which covers roughly 300 pages at the standard rate of $0.10 per page.
Free Access to Michigan Bankruptcy Records
Every bankruptcy courthouse in Michigan has public terminals you can use at no cost. These computers are set up in the lobby or clerk's area and let you search and view case records without a PACER account. You can see docket entries, party names, and case documents on screen. Printing from these terminals costs $0.10 per page, but viewing is free.
This is a good option if you live near Detroit, Flint, Bay City, Grand Rapids, or Marquette. Staff at the clerk's office can also help you find a case if you only have the debtor's name and rough filing date. Bring a photo ID when you visit. If you need a lot of documents, combining a courthouse visit with a PACER account can save time.
The Eastern District PACER information page explains what is available at the courthouse terminals versus through your online account, and how to get the most out of both options.
The page also covers how to register for PACER and what to expect the first time you search for a Michigan bankruptcy case.
Getting Copies of Michigan Bankruptcy Filings
Four methods exist for getting copies. Download through PACER, print at a public courthouse terminal, make a mail request, or for the Western District, submit a request by email or fax. Staff copies of documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies from the Western District run $12.00 plus $0.50 per page. Raised seal certified copies must be mailed to you by U.S. Postal Service only.
Mail requests to the Eastern District require a written letter with your name, contact info, the case name or number, and a clear description of what you need. Payment must accompany the request. The Eastern District accepts money orders and cashier's checks payable to "Clerk, US Bankruptcy Court." Cash is accepted at the window in person only. The Eastern District does not accept personal checks.
The Western District has more payment options. They take money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks (with some restrictions), and credit or debit cards with a Credit Card Authorization form. Neither district accepts credit cards or personal checks from debtors in open cases. The Eastern District obtaining copies page has full instructions for mail, in-person, and online requests. The Western District copy request page covers their form-based process and fee schedule.
Old cases filed before December 1, 2003 may be stored at the Federal Records Center rather than at the court. Contact the clerk's office first to find where the file is. Having a file retrieved and delivered from the FRC costs $64 to $70 for the first box, $39 to $43 for each extra box, plus $0.50 per page for copies. Allow 10 business days.
The Eastern District document copy page details all fee schedules, accepted payment forms, and special procedures for obtaining Michigan bankruptcy records.
Whether you need a single page or an entire case file, this page walks you through each option available for obtaining Michigan bankruptcy court records.
Types of Michigan Bankruptcy Cases
Michigan bankruptcy records cover four main case types. The type tells you how long the case ran, what the debtor kept, and how creditors were treated. Knowing the type helps you understand what documents you will find in a case file.
Chapter 7 is the most common type filed in Michigan. It is liquidation bankruptcy. The filing fee is $338. Cases usually close in three to six months. Most unsecured debts get discharged, meaning they are wiped out. The debtor may have to give up non-exempt property to pay creditors. Filers whose income is above the Michigan median must pass a means test before they qualify. Chapter 7 records contain the petition, a list of assets and debts, income information, and the discharge order.
Chapter 13 is for people with steady income who want to keep property by paying creditors through a court plan. The filing fee is $313. Plans run three to five years. In the Eastern District, the standard attorney fee for Chapter 13 work is $3,500, referred to as the "No-Look Fee" because courts approve it without a detailed review. Chapter 11 is for businesses or people with very high debts who want to reorganize. It is complex and expensive. Chapter 9 covers governments and public agencies. Detroit's 2013 Chapter 9 filing, Case No. 13-53846, was the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time of filing. It exited bankruptcy in December 2014.
The Western District case information page explains how cases move through the system and what records are available for each type of filing.
This page also covers how to use CM/ECF to view filings and what data fields appear in a Michigan bankruptcy docket.
Electronic Filing in Michigan Bankruptcy Courts
Michigan bankruptcy courts use the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system, known as CM/ECF. Attorneys file petitions, motions, schedules, and other documents through this system. Once filed, those records appear in PACER for public access. Members of the public do not file through CM/ECF but can view all the resulting records online or at courthouse terminals. The Eastern District's CM/ECF login is at ecf.mieb.uscourts.gov. This system replaced paper filing for most case types and created the electronic record base that PACER now serves to the public.
The CM/ECF login page for the Eastern District of Michigan is where registered attorneys access the electronic filing system for bankruptcy cases.
Public users do not need to log in here. Instead, access the resulting case records through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov after registering for a free account.
Michigan Bankruptcy Exemptions
Michigan law lets filers protect certain property when they file for bankruptcy. These protections are called exemptions. Under MCL 600.5451, the homestead exemption covers up to $46,125 in home equity. For people who are 65 or older, or disabled, that limit rises to $69,200. A motor vehicle is exempt up to $4,250. Household goods and furniture are protected up to $4,625 total, with a $700 cap per individual item. Tools of the trade get up to $3,075. Clothing has no dollar limit. Family photos, a church pew or seat up to $800, and professionally prescribed health aids are also fully exempt. Food and fuel to last six months are protected as well.
A second state statute, MCL 600.6023, offers different amounts. Under this law, the homestead exemption is $40,000, or $60,000 for those over 65 or disabled. The motor vehicle limit is $3,775. Filers must pick one set of exemptions. They can choose state or federal. They cannot mix the two. Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522 include a homestead of $27,900, a motor vehicle of $4,450, and a wildcard of $1,475 plus any unused homestead amount up to $13,950. If two spouses both own the home and both file, the federal homestead amount can double.
Retirement accounts get strong protection under MCL 600.5451(1)(k). IRAs, Roth IRAs, and most other retirement accounts are fully exempt. One exception: contributions made in the 120 days before filing may not be covered, even if the account itself qualifies. Excess contributions beyond deductible limits may also be at risk. Attorney fees in bankruptcy cases are governed by 11 U.S.C. § 330, which allows courts to award reasonable compensation for necessary services.
You can check the Michigan Courts website for links to current state statutes and other court resources relevant to bankruptcy filings across all 83 counties.
The Western District court locations page shows all filing offices and satellite hearing locations available to Michigan residents in the Western District.
Knowing your filing location matters when requesting paper copies or attending hearings in person for a Michigan bankruptcy case.
Note: Michigan allows bankruptcy filers to choose between state or federal exemptions, but you must pick one set entirely and cannot combine amounts from both.
Michigan Bankruptcy Records FAQ
Are Michigan bankruptcy records public? Yes. Bankruptcy records are public court documents. Anyone can access them through PACER or at courthouse public terminals. You do not have to be a party to the case or give a reason for your request.
Can bankruptcy records be sealed? Rarely. A debtor must petition the court and show a compelling reason, such as a threat to personal safety. Courts do not grant sealing requests often. Most Michigan bankruptcy case files remain fully accessible to the public through PACER.
How long does a bankruptcy stay on record? Chapter 7 appears on a credit report for 10 years from the filing date. Chapter 13 stays for 7 years. The court records themselves are kept permanently. You can search very old cases through PACER by name or case number.
What information does a Michigan bankruptcy record contain? A typical case file includes the debtor's name and address, a list of all creditors with amounts owed, a full schedule of assets and their values, income and expense statements, the bankruptcy petition, all motions and orders entered during the case, and the final discharge or dismissal order. Social Security numbers and other sensitive identifiers are redacted from publicly viewable documents.
How do I search if I only have a name? Log in to PACER and use the name search. You will need the first and last name of the debtor. Common names may return many results. Adding a state filter or approximate filing year helps narrow it down. You can also call the court directly: Eastern District at (313) 234-0065 or Western District at (616) 456-2693, and staff can assist with basic lookups during business hours.
Browse Michigan Bankruptcy Records by County
All 83 Michigan counties are assigned to either the Eastern or Western federal district. Select a county below to find the specific court location, contact information, and access options for bankruptcy records in that area.
Michigan Bankruptcy Records by City
Residents of Michigan's major cities file bankruptcy cases at their assigned federal district court. Select a city below for local courthouse information, PACER access tips, and legal resources in that area.