Where to file bankruptcy in Maryland

The federal bankruptcy courts in Maryland, how to pick yours, fees, required courses and the meeting of creditors.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before you file.

Federal bankruptcy courts: 1
Courts: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland

Which court you file in, in Maryland

You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before you file. Maryland has one district. You may file papers in either the Baltimore or the Greenbelt office. The court's locations page lists which counties each division serves: https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/general-info/locations

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland

Divisions: Baltimore, Greenbelt (Salisbury: hearings only)

Clerk's phone: Baltimore (410) 962-2688; Greenbelt (301) 344-8018

Court's self-help page

In nearby states

District of Columbia: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
Delaware: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
New Jersey: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey

What to do now in Maryland

Pick the right court
Your district depends on where you lived most of the last 180 days.
Check local rules
Each court lists its divisions, hours and local rules: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
Get your counseling certificate
Take it before you file and keep the certificate. U.S. Trustee list of approved credit counseling agencies.
Prepare the forms
Download the official bankruptcy forms.
Talk to legal aid
Free help: Debtor Assistance Project (free 30-minute consultation with a volunteer bankruptcy lawyer, run with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court) and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.

Free help in Maryland

Questions about filing in Maryland

Where do I file bankruptcy in Maryland?

What income passes the means test in Maryland?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $86,928; 2 people: $114,611; 3 people: $135,949; 4 people: $166,173; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Who helps with bankruptcy for free in Maryland?

Debtor Assistance Project (free 30-minute consultation with a volunteer bankruptcy lawyer, run with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court), Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and Maryland Legal Aid.

Related Maryland pages

What it costs to file

Chapter 7 filing fee. To file Chapter 7 you pay $338 to the court: a $245 filing fee, a $78 administrative fee and a $15 trustee fee. A married couple filing one joint case pays one set of fees.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(a)(1)(A); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, items 8 and 9 (effective December 1, 2023)

Chapter 13 filing fee. To file Chapter 13 you pay $313 to the court: a $235 filing fee and a $78 administrative fee.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(a)(1)(B); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, item 8 (effective December 1, 2023)

Paying in installments. If you cannot pay the whole fee at once, you can ask to pay it in installments. File Official Form 103A with your petition. The court decides the plan: no more than 4 payments, all paid within 120 days after you file. For a good reason the court can give you more time, but the last payment must be made within 180 days. Until the fee is paid in full, you may not pay your lawyer or petition preparer.

Law: Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006(b) (as amended Dec. 1, 2024)

Fee waiver. In Chapter 7 only, the court may waive the fee. You must have income below 150% of the official poverty line for your family size, and you must be unable to pay the fee even in installments. Ask by filing Official Form 103B with your petition. The judge decides.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1930(f)(1); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006(c)

The 341 meeting

About a month after you file, you must attend the 'meeting of creditors' (341 meeting). The trustee asks you questions under oath about your property and debts. Creditors may come and ask questions. No judge attends. Chapter 7: 21 to 40 days after filing. Chapter 13: 21 to 50 days after filing. Bring photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. If you file jointly, both spouses must attend.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 341, 343; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2003(a), 4002(b)(1)

Two required courses

Credit counseling before you file. Before you file, you must take a credit counseling course (a 'briefing') from an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. You must take it within 180 days before you file. It can be in person, by phone or online, alone or in a group. Keep the certificate: you file it with your case. If you skip it, your case can be dismissed.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 109(h), 111

Debtor education after you file. After you file, you must take a second, separate course on personal financial management (debtor education) from an approved provider. In most cases you get no discharge without it. Chapter 7: file the certificate within 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. Chapter 13: by the date of your last plan payment. Some providers send the certificate to the court for you.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 727(a)(11), 1328(g); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b)(7), 1007(c)(4)

Where to file bankruptcy in Maryland

Short answer

Which court you file in, in Maryland

In nearby states

What to do now in Maryland

Pick the right court

Check local rules

Get your counseling certificate

Prepare the forms

Talk to legal aid

Free help in Maryland

Questions about filing in Maryland

Related Maryland pages