How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Alabama
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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 June 8, 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 an administrator— 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.
Arkansas Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
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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. Some courts also require local forms, which we cover later in the Alabama Bankruptcy Districts section.
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 your local courthouse. The Southern District also allows online filing, though some documents may still need to be delivered separately.
Use the chart below to find your district for your county.
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.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
Alabama Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2026Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 administrator on Zoom. In Alabama, the bankruptcy administrator serves a role similar to a bankruptcy trustee in other states. The meeting usually takes about five minutes. The administrator 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 District, Middle District, and Southern District. Each district has slightly different rules for filing.
Use the chart below to find the district for the county you live in:
| District | Counties Served |
|---|---|
| Northern District of Alabama | Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, De Kalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Winston |
| Middle District of Alabama | Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Tallapoosa |
| Southern District of Alabama | Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Washington, Wilcox |
Northern District of Alabama Requirements
The Northern District is divided into four divisions. Each one has its own courthouse, and where you file depends on the county you live in.
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, Morgan, and Winston 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.
❌ Payments aren’t accepted in person at any courthouse.
Mail your payment to: U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern Division 1800 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203
Include your name and case number 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: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery, and Pike 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 case number 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.
Mobile Division
Serves: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Washington, and Wilcox counties
In-person and mailing address: U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Alabama 201 St. Louis Street Mobile, AL 36602
💻 If you’re filing without a lawyer in the Southern District, you can use the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system to prepare and submit your Chapter 7 forms online. This tool helps you complete your paperwork and send it to the court electronically.
After you submit your forms through eSR, you’ll need to mail or hand-deliver a few required documents within 10 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 St. Mobile, AL 36602
🕓 Your case won’t be officially filed until all of these documents are received by the court.
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 case number 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
