SeaTac Bankruptcy Records
SeaTac bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, the federal court based in Seattle that covers all of King County. SeaTac is a small city of about 32,000 people in south King County, best known as home to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Like all King County cities, it falls under the Western District's jurisdiction for bankruptcy matters. This page explains how to find case records, what filing options exist, and what local legal resources are available to SeaTac residents who need help navigating the bankruptcy process.
SeaTac Overview
Where SeaTac Bankruptcy Cases Are Filed
Bankruptcy is a federal process, so SeaTac residents file at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, not at any SeaTac city office or King County court. The Western District courthouse is located in downtown Seattle at 700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301. That is where petitions are filed, trustees are assigned, and hearings take place. The Tacoma division of the Western District serves some south Puget Sound counties, but SeaTac's placement in King County means the Seattle division handles its cases.
The SeaTac Municipal Court at 4800 S. 188th Street handles local city matters like traffic citations and misdemeanors. You can reach it at (206) 973-4750 or visit the city's website at seatacwa.gov. The King County Superior Court handles county-level civil and criminal cases. Neither of those courts processes bankruptcy cases. If someone tells you to file a bankruptcy petition at the city or county courthouse, that is incorrect. The federal court in Seattle is the only place to go.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington |
|---|---|
| Address (Seattle) | 700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301 Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Phone | (206) 370-5200 |
| Website | wawb.uscourts.gov |
| SeaTac Municipal Court | 4800 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188, (206) 973-4750 |
| King County Superior Court | 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 296-9300 |
When you file, you receive an automatic stay. This stops collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and most other creditor actions the moment the case is filed. It applies whether you are a SeaTac resident, a Burien resident, or anyone else in the district. The stay gives you breathing room while the case proceeds. Violating the stay is a serious matter for creditors, and your attorney can help if a creditor ignores it.
How to Search SeaTac Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main tool for searching federal bankruptcy records. It covers every federal court in the country, including the Western District of Washington. You search by debtor name or case number and get access to the petition, schedules, docket, and most filed documents. Access costs $0.10 per page with a $3.00 per-document cap. If your charges for the quarter total less than $30.00, they are waived. Create an account at pacer.uscourts.gov or call 800-676-6856 for help.
The free VCIS phone line at 866-222-8029 runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You enter a debtor's name or case number using your keypad and hear a brief recorded summary of case status, chapter, and filing date. It doesn't give you documents, but it is useful for quick checks without logging into PACER.
Washington Courts state case search at dw.courts.wa.gov is for state court records, not federal ones. It won't show bankruptcy cases. But it can be useful if you are looking for a related King County civil matter, such as a collection lawsuit or judgment that may have been filed in state court around the same time as a bankruptcy. Below is a screenshot of the Washington Courts search portal.
For deeper historical research, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov has older state records. Federal bankruptcy records going back to the late 1990s are generally available in PACER, while older paper-only records may require a direct request to the court clerk. Most modern cases are fully electronic.
Bankruptcy Options for SeaTac Residents
SeaTac residents can file under any chapter of federal bankruptcy law that they qualify for. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are by far the most common for individuals. Chapter 11 applies mainly to businesses. Chapter 12 is for family farmers and fishermen.
Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills quickly, usually within four to six months of filing. You do not repay your creditors through the bankruptcy process. A trustee reviews your assets and, if you have non-exempt property, may liquidate it to pay creditors. In practice, most King County Chapter 7 cases are "no-asset" cases, meaning everything the debtor owns is covered by exemptions. The filing fee is $338. You must pass the means test, which compares your income to the Washington state median for a household your size.
Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that runs three to five years. You keep your property and pay back some or all of your debt through a court-approved plan. It costs $313 to file. Chapter 13 is often used when someone is behind on a mortgage and wants to stop foreclosure, or when they have assets worth more than what exemptions protect in a Chapter 7. Chapter 11 costs $1,738 to file and handles complex reorganizations. Chapter 12 costs $278.
Washington State exemptions protect certain property in any chapter. The homestead exemption under RCW 6.13 applies to your primary residence. Personal property exemptions under RCW 6.15 cover household goods, a vehicle up to a set value, retirement funds, tools of the trade, and several other categories. You can choose state or federal exemptions, but not a mix of both.
Legal Aid Resources for SeaTac Residents
SeaTac is in King County, so residents have access to the same legal aid network that covers Seattle and the broader county. Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help for bankruptcy and related financial matters. The screenshot below shows the Office of Civil Legal Aid portal, which lists legal assistance resources across Washington.
The Office of Civil Legal Aid at ocla.wa.gov lists state-funded legal aid programs by region and type of case. For SeaTac residents, the King County resources are the most relevant. CLEAR, reached at 211 within King County, connects callers with legal aid attorneys who can assess your case, answer questions, and refer you to additional help. It is the fastest way to find out what free legal services you may qualify for.
The King County Bar Association offers free legal assistance and a lawyer referral service at 206-267-7070. They can connect you with bankruptcy attorneys who serve south King County, including SeaTac and surrounding communities. The Northwest Justice Project at nwjustice.org serves low-income King County residents with civil legal matters. The Washington State Bar Association at wsba.org maintains a searchable directory of all licensed Washington attorneys, which you can filter by practice area and location to find bankruptcy counsel near SeaTac.
Filing without an attorney is allowed. The court calls it proceeding pro se. Simple Chapter 7 cases with no asset disputes and straightforward finances are the most manageable to handle alone. If you have property disputes, business assets, high income, or complex debts, getting an attorney involved is strongly worth the cost. Many bankruptcy attorneys offer payment plans or take fees from the Chapter 13 plan.
King County Bankruptcy Records
SeaTac is in King County. The King County page covers additional resources, court contacts, and information that applies to all King County bankruptcy filers, including those in south King County communities near SeaTac.
Nearby Cities
These cities near SeaTac also file bankruptcy cases through the Western District of Washington court in Seattle.