How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Alabama
Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps erase your debt with our free bankruptcy filing tool. You could be debt-free in just 4 months. See if you qualify→
Upsolve is a nonprofit that erases your debt with our free bankruptcy filing tool. See if you qualify.
If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Alabamians file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Alabama.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated October 21, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Alabama
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Alabama involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee— and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Upsolve’s free filing tool is not currently available in Alabama, but Upsolve can connect you with a local attorney for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. If your income is below Alabama’s median for a household your size, you'll likely qualify to file.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
📌 In Alabama, each district has its own list of approved course providers. Make sure you choose one that’s accepted in your district:
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov.
Alabama has three federal bankruptcy districts: the Northern District, Middle District, and Southern District. Your district is determined by the county you live in.
Each district has slightly different rules for filing. In all districts, you can file your forms by mail or in person at the courthouse that serves your county. The Southern District also allows online filing, though some documents may still need to be delivered separately.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level and you can't afford to pay the fee in installments. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant it.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
Filing fee payment rules vary by district. The Alabama Bankruptcy Districts section below has more details.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. The meeting usually takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Alabama Bankruptcy Districts
Alabama has three bankruptcy districts: the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts. Each one is split into divisions and has slightly different filing rules. The courthouse that handles your case depends on the county you live in, so you can find your county in the lists below to see where to file.
If you’re not sure which district you’re in, the court locator tool can help you find it.
Northern District of Alabama Requirements
The Northern District is divided into four divisions, each with its own courthouse. If you're filing on your own without a lawyer, you'll need to submit your forms in person or by mail. Online filing isn't available in this district.
📍 Northern Division (Huntsville)
Serves: Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties
In-person and mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office 660 Gallatin Street SW Huntsville, AL 35801
📍 Eastern Division (Anniston)
Serves: Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega counties
In-person address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court 1100 Gurnee Avenue Anniston, AL 36201
Mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office 1100 Gurnee Avenue, Room 288 Anniston, AL 36201
📍 Southern Division (Birmingham)
Serves: Blount, Jefferson, and Shelby counties
In-person and mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office 1800 Fifth Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203
📍 Western Division (Tuscaloosa)
Serves: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston counties
In-person address: Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse 2005 University Boulevard Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office 2005 University Boulevard, Room 2300 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Pay Your Filing Fee in the Northern District
If you're paying the $338 filing fee, you’ll need to mail a money order or cashier’s check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court to the court’s main office in Birmingham.
Mail your payment to: U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern Division 1800 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203
✍️ Include your name and your case number (if you have one) on the payment. 🚫 The court doesn’t accept cash, credit cards, personal checks, or online payments.
Middle District of Alabama Requirements
The Middle District has three divisions, but only the Montgomery courthouse accepts bankruptcy filings. Even if you live closer to Opelika or Dothan, you’ll need to file your forms — by mail or in person — in Montgomery. Online filing isn’t available in this district.
📍 Montgomery
Serves all counties in the Middle District: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties
In-person and mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office Middle District of Alabama Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Courthouse One Church Street Montgomery, AL 36104
📮 You can also use the after-hours drop box at the main entrance if the clerk’s office is closed.
The Middle District’s Pro Se Debtors Guide walks you through each step of the process if you're filing without a lawyer.
Pay Your Filing Fee in the Middle District
If you're paying the $338 filing fee, you can either bring a money order or cashier’s check to the courthouse in Montgomery or mail it to the same address. Make it out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Send or deliver your payment to: U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Middle District of Alabama Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Courthouse One Church Street Montgomery, AL 36104
✍️ Include your name and your case number (if you have one) on the payment. 🚫 The court doesn’t accept credit cards, personal checks, cash, or online payments.
Southern District of Alabama Requirements
The Southern District has courthouses in Mobile and Selma, but only the Mobile courthouse accepts bankruptcy filings. You can submit your forms in person or by mail. You can also use the court's Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) tool to prepare and submit your forms online.
📍 Mobile
Serves: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Washington, and Wilcox counties
In-person and mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Alabama 113 St. Joseph Street Mobile, AL 36602
💻 If you use the eSR tool, it will walk you through the forms step by step. After you submit your forms online, you’ll need to mail or hand-deliver a few required documents within 10 calendar days. Your case won’t be opened until the court receives all of the following:
A copy of your photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
Your Certificate of Credit Counseling
The $338 filing fee — or a fee waiver or installment request instead of payment
Send or deliver these documents to: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Attn: Electronic Pro Se Filing 113 St. Joseph Street Mobile, AL 36602
Pay Your Filing Fee in the Southern District
If you’re paying the $338 filing fee, you can do so with a money order, cashier’s check, or exact cash at the Mobile courthouse. Make checks payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
✍️ Include your name and your case number (if you have one) on the payment. 🚫 The court doesn’t accept personal checks, credit cards, or debit cards.
Free Legal Aid in Alabama
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Alabama.
Legal Services Alabama, Inc. (334) 223-0240 2567 Fairlane Drive, Suite 300 Montgomery, AL 36116
