What are Missouri Bankruptcy Records?

Bankruptcy records in Missouri contain details concerning businesses and individuals that filed for bankruptcy. Such filings are done under U.S.Bankruptcy Laws. Generally, U.S federal courts have jurisdiction over all Missouri bankruptcy filings and claims. The Missouri bankruptcy courts are divided into two, which are the Western District Bankruptcy Court and Eastern District Bankruptcy Court. Both courts are in charge of filing, managing, and disseminating the state’s bankruptcy records to interested persons upon request.

Persons unable to settle their debts may choose to file for any of the different kinds of personal bankruptcy, also referred to as consumer bankruptcy. The following are the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Missouri and what they offer.

Federal Bankruptcy Court (Western District Court of Missouri)

• Opinions
• Judge information
• Attorney information
• Electronic filing
• Rules, fees, and procedures
• Forms
• Court calendar

Federal Bankruptcy Court (Eastern District Court of Missouri)

• Court information
• Judge information
• Attorney information
• Electronic filing
• Rules and procedures
• Forms
• Programs and services

Both Missouri district courts offer courthouse records, case information, fees, and filing details to interested persons, as well as reports on the judge assigned to the petitioner’s case. Missouri bankruptcy documents may also be obtainable through third-party websites.

What do Missouri Bankruptcy Records Contain?

Bankruptcy records in Missouri generally contain the following:

• Monthly living expenses
• Properties & businesses
• Mortgage statements
• Tax returns
• Bank statements
• Sources of income
• Car titles
• Date of the filing
• Assets’ values
• Insurance records
• Creditors claims and details
• Child support, alimony, or any record on marriage settlements (if applicable)

In Missouri, there are two key forms of consumer bankruptcy, namely Chapter 7 and chapter 13. Chapter 7, also regarded as straight bankruptcy or liquidation, is the shortest and quickest type of bankruptcy. For Chapter 7, a court-appointed trustee confiscates part of the debtor’s property and offers it to satisfy the creditors, and then the court disposes of the debts.

In Chapter 13, the debtor is awaiting the court’s permission for a 3–5 year debt repayment program. To apply for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, petitioners generally require an income.

Are Bankruptcy Records Public Information?

Yes, the Missouri bankruptcy records are generally made accessible to all interested persons upon request, although certain restrictions exist. In Missouri, the U.S district court prohibits certain parts of the documents described as personal identifier information from being accessible to the general public. These are details involving the individual’s private information such as the full social security numbers, date of birth, financial account numbers, and minors’ names. These details are inaccessible to the public under the privacy policy amended by the U.S judicial conference.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Such platforms, which operate independently of any state, county, or local agency, may make the search process easier because they are not geographically constrained. Third-party platforms may also have search engines that might be useful when conducting a search for a specific or many records. To use a third-party or government website, interested parties typically submit any or all of the following:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How to Get Missouri Bankruptcy Records

Below are the different ways members of the public may access bankruptcy records in Missouri.

Mail-in requests: Requesters seeking to obtain bankruptcy records may call the clerk’s office on 816–512–1800 during regular business hours to make inquiries. A certified copy of a Missouri bankruptcy court costs $11 and extra fees depending on the number of pages necessary. Payments are payable in a money order or cashier’s check and paid to the clerk of court. Requesters should call the clerk to know the total cost of the request. Afterward, interested persons may send the requests and a stamped envelope with the appropriate address for the return copies. All mail-in requests should be sent to:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
400 East. 9th Street, Room 1510
Kansas City, Missouri 64106

In-person requests: The Missouri district courts allow physical access to bankruptcy documents. Interested parties are permitted to view such records at the Missouri courthouses during regular business hours. Below are the locations of the Missouri courthouses:

Western District of Missouri Bankruptcy Courts:

Charles Evans Whittaker (U.S. Courthouse)
400 East, 9th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Phone: (816) 512 1800

Jefferson City (Christopher S. Bond Courthouse)
80 Lafayette Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Phone: (573) 636 4015

Springfield (U.S Courthouse)
222 North John Q. Hammons Parkway
Springfield, Missouri 65806
Phone: (417) 865 3869

Eastern District of Missouri Bankruptcy Courts:

Thomas F. Eagleton (U.S courthouse)
111 South 10th Street 4th Floor
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Phone: (314) 244 4500
Fax: (314) 244 4990

Rush Hudson Limbaugh Senior (U.S. Courthouse)
555 Independence Street
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703

Federal Building
801 Broadway
Hannibal, Missouri 63401

Alternatively, Missouri requesters may obtain web-based bankruptcy records from some government-approved third-party agencies. The fee per page of electronically stored bankruptcy records is 50 cents. Courthouses across the state also provide public terminals where residents may access such documents. Archived Missouri bankruptcy files are usually kept with the Eastern District of Missouri archives. This court may grant access to the archived bankruptcy records stored at the FRC (Federal Records Center).

How do I Find Out if My Bankruptcy Case is Closed in Missouri?

Interested persons in Missouri may contact the courthouse where the bankruptcy case is filed to find out if it is closed. Alternatively, through certain government-approved third-party sites, individuals may be able to  track bankruptcy cases and confirm their statuses.

Generally, after the trustee has sold the properties, paid out the proceeds, and has filed paperwork with the appropriate court, the case will close. With most chapter 7 bankruptcy filers, after collecting the discharge (the decree that relieves debtors of qualified debts), the case should be closed in 4–6 months after filing the bankruptcy papers.

Can a Bankruptcy be Expunged in Missouri?

The Missouri laws do not cater to the expungement of bankruptcy records. Such records are managed by the U.S federal court system, which offers only a blanket authority regarding judges’ powers to expunge bankruptcy cases. Section 105 of the U.S Codes offers jurisdiction to issue any directive, procedure, or decision required or sufficient to execute the provisions of the law. However, in Missouri, bankruptcy records may be sealed. Eligible parties may also petition to file a bankruptcy record under seal with the state’s district bankruptcy court.