Severn Bankruptcy Records
Severn bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Baltimore Division, which covers Anne Arundel County.
Severn Overview
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Severn
Severn is a census-designated community in Anne Arundel County, located between Baltimore and Annapolis. All bankruptcy cases from Severn are filed at the Baltimore Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. This court handles Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 cases from residents and businesses throughout Anne Arundel County.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Baltimore Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Garmatz Federal Courthouse 101 W. Lombard Street, Suite 8530 Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| Phone | (410) 962-4295 |
| Intake Hours | Monday through Friday, closed 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM daily (since Dec 22, 2025) |
| Website | mdb.uscourts.gov |
Severn residents heading to the Baltimore courthouse can take I-97 north and connect to I-695 or go directly into Baltimore via US-1. From Severn it is roughly a 25-30 minute drive depending on traffic. The Baltimore intake accepts cash, checks, and money orders. An after-hours drop box is available on the first floor of the Garmatz Federal Courthouse for filings submitted outside of normal intake hours.
How to Search Severn Bankruptcy Records
Severn bankruptcy records are part of the federal court system. The main search tool is PACER. You can also call the VCIS line or visit the courthouse. Each method has its own level of detail and cost.
PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov is the best tool for full case searches. Register for a free account, then search by name or case number. PACER shows you the docket, filed documents, creditor lists, trustee information, and case status. It covers all Severn cases filed at the Baltimore Division. The fee is $0.10 per page and tops out at $3.00 per document. If you stay under $30.00 in a quarter, the fees are waived. For a one-time search, many users pay nothing at all.
The VCIS free phone line is at 1-866-222-8029. It is available all day and all night. You can hear basic case data: chapter type, filing date, trustee name, and discharge status. No account or fee is needed. It is the fastest way to check whether a case exists and whether it is still open.
In-person searching at the Baltimore courthouse is also an option. Public terminals in the clerk's office are free to use. Staff will help you find a case if you have a name or case number. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $0.50 per page. For archived documents, SmartScan retrieval costs $11.00 plus $9.90 for the first 30 pages and $0.65 per additional page, with a 100-page cap per request.
The fee schedule above applies to all cases filed at the Baltimore Division, including those from Severn and the rest of Anne Arundel County.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees for Severn Residents
Filing fees for bankruptcy cases in Maryland are set by federal law. Severn residents pay these fees when filing at the Baltimore Division. The rates are the same at both Maryland divisions.
- Chapter 7 (liquidation): $338.00
- Chapter 13 (repayment plan): $313.00
- Chapter 11 (business reorganization): $1,738.00
The Baltimore intake takes cash, checks, and money orders. You can also pay online at pay.gov before arriving at the courthouse. If you need more time to pay, you can request that the fee be split into installments, up to four payments over time. Chapter 7 filers with limited income can apply to waive the fee entirely if their household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level. The waiver form is available at the clerk's office and on the court website at mdb.uscourts.gov.
What Severn Bankruptcy Records Contain
Bankruptcy records are public federal court files. Anyone can search them through PACER or by visiting the courthouse. A small number of items are restricted for privacy, but the core file is open.
A Severn bankruptcy case file includes the petition (name, address, chapter type, filing date), schedules of assets and liabilities, a creditor list, and a statement of financial affairs. For Chapter 13 cases, the repayment plan is part of the record. Trustee reports, meeting of creditors notices, and any motions filed by either party are included. The discharge order, if one is entered, closes the case record.
Social Security Numbers appear with only the last four digits visible in public records. Names of minor children are redacted. Some documents may be sealed by the judge. But for the most part, Severn bankruptcy records are fully accessible. You can see who filed, when they filed, what they owed, and how the case resolved.
One thing to note: bankruptcy records stay in PACER indefinitely. Even closed cases from many years ago are searchable. This is useful when you need to check a Severn resident's bankruptcy history going back several years.
Anne Arundel County State Courts Serving Severn
Bankruptcy is a federal process, but state courts in Anne Arundel County are often involved in related matters. Severn falls under the 5th Judicial Circuit, which covers Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties.
| Circuit Court | Anne Arundel County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD |
| Phone | (410) 222-1397 |
| District Court (nearest to Severn) | Anne Arundel County District Court |
| District Court Address | 7500 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD |
| District Court Phone | (410) 260-1800 |
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis handles civil cases, judgment liens, and other matters that can connect to a Severn bankruptcy case. State court judgments recorded there may be subject to the automatic stay once someone files for bankruptcy. The district court in Glen Burnie is the nearest court to Severn for smaller civil cases and debt collection actions. Maryland Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us lets you search both courts for free online.
Legal Help for Severn Bankruptcy Filers
If you need guidance on bankruptcy in Severn, free and low-cost legal help is available in Anne Arundel County.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Anne Arundel County residents from its Annapolis office at 229 Hanover Street, Annapolis, MD. Call (410) 972-2700 for local help. The statewide line is (866) MD-LAW-4U. Maryland Legal Aid helps people who meet income guidelines. They can advise on which chapter fits your situation, help you prepare forms, and sometimes provide court representation. Their website at mdlab.org has an online intake form and eligibility information.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org/where-file-bankruptcy has a step-by-step guide to Maryland bankruptcy. It covers what Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 mean, what Maryland exemptions protect, and what to expect at key stages of the process. It is written in plain English and is free to use.
The People's Law Library guide covers the full bankruptcy process for Maryland residents and applies directly to Severn filers using the Baltimore Division.
For a private attorney, the Anne Arundel County Bar Association offers a referral service. The Maryland State Bar at msba.org also has a lawyer search tool. Many bankruptcy attorneys in the Annapolis and Baltimore areas offer a free first consultation. Filing on your own is allowed, but having legal advice before you file can help you avoid mistakes that could lead to dismissal or a less favorable outcome.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
These nearby cities are also served by the Baltimore Division for bankruptcy filings.
- Glen Burnie (Anne Arundel County)
- Baltimore
Anne Arundel County Bankruptcy Records
Severn is in Anne Arundel County. All bankruptcy cases from Severn are filed at the Baltimore Division of the federal court. For more on the courts serving the county, related records, and local resources, visit the Anne Arundel County page.