The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Rhode Island (Providence)
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island administers bankruptcy filings for the entire state from its courthouse in Providence. This page provides essential administrative contact information for the clerk’s office, judges, and staff.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Courthouse Location
Bankruptcy filings in Rhode Island are handled exclusively through the Providence Division Office.
Providence Division Office: The courthouse is located at 380 Westminster Street, 6th Floor, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. All bankruptcy petitions filed within the state, whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, or Chapter 12, are processed through this office.
Because Rhode Island is a single‑district jurisdiction, there are no separate divisions by county. Residents from all municipalities, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Newport, and Woonsocket, file in the same location.
Security Protocol
Federal buildings have strict security measures. Visitors must present a valid government‑issued photo identification. If you are attending a hearing, bring your hearing notice and allow extra time for screening before entry.
Clerk’s Office Administration & Contact Channels
The Clerk’s Office maintains the court docket but cannot give legal advice or tell you what to file. The Clerk’s Office also does not schedule hearings or contact a judge on your behalf. Hearing dates must be set according to Chief Judge Dorsey’s procedures.
- Acting Clerk of Court: Frank J. Perry.
- General Intake Lines: (401) 626-3100.
Case Administrator Assignments
| Case Number Digits | Case Manager | Direct Phone |
| 00–29 | Jennifer | (401) 626-3110 |
| 30–68 | Christine | (401) 626-3112 |
| 69–74 | Jennifer | (401) 626-3110 |
| 75–99 | Dina | (401) 626-3122 |
| Chapter 11 (Wyatt Detention) | Becky | (401) 626-3111 |
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (District of Rhode Island) and Filing Fees
The following statistics summarize the bankruptcy petition volumes filed in Rhode Island from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 786 | 277 | 1,063 |
| 2024 | 672 | 288 | 960 |
| 2023 | 640 | 198 | 838 |
Filing Fees for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Cases (2026)
Filing fees are uniform through the bankruptcy courts. Payments can be made through Pay.gov when filing via CM/ECF. For self-represented debtors, payments are accepted via cashier’s check or money order remitted directly to the clerk’s office (personal checks are prohibited).
| Bankruptcy Chapter | Filing Fee |
| Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 |
Fee Payment Adjustments and Waivers
Chapter 7 filers can request that filing fees be paid across four installments with the final payment due 120 days from the date the petition was filed. However, the bankruptcy judge may extend payments up to six months upon a showing of good cause.
Also, under 28 U.S.C. 1930(f), the filing fee can be waived in a Chapter 7 case if household earnings are 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and you can prove you are unable to afford the monthly payment installments.
Below are the federal poverty guidelines for 2026:
| Persons in Family Unit | 48 Contiguous States & D.C. (Monthly) |
| 1 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $6,965.00 |
| Each additional person add | $710.00 |
Accessing the Status of your Bankruptcy Case
Debtors can review case filings through PACER, the federal court’s online records system. PACER bills users quarterly, but only if more than $30 in charges were incurred during the previous quarter. Most documents such as dockets, motions, orders, judgments, or briefs cost $0.10 per page, and no single document will cost more than $3. Invoices are sent by mail or email.
Case status can also be confirmed via the court’s Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) by calling 1-866-222-8029. You can also read my article on How to Use PACER to Track Your Bankruptcy Case.
Chief Bankruptcy Judge John A. Dorsey and Staff
Below is the contact information for Chief Bankruptcy Judge Dorsey. Make sure to review Judge Dorsey’s profile page when requesting or scheduling a hearing.
| Judge | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Chief Judge John A. Dorsey | Chambers: (401) 626-3060 Courtroom Deputy: Rebecca Sibielski (401) 626-3111 Electronic Court Reporter Operator (ECRO) Dina Fortes (401) 626-3122 (primary) Jennifer Davis (401) 626-3110 (backup) Term Law Clerk: Christopher Sanacore |
Summary
Filing for bankruptcy in the District of Rhode Island is straightforward with a single district in Providence. Whether you are preparing to file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, ensuring your paperwork is submitted accurately to the Providence clerk’s office is critical to avoid a dismissal.
Before filing, carefully evaluate your household income under the Means Test to confirm your eligibility and review fee waiver or installment options if needed. Also, be familiar with Rhode Island’s exemption rules to ensure your primary property, motor vehicle, and personal assets are fully protected throughout your bankruptcy proceeding.
Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish at an international university.
Educational Resources
- For Institutions: Colleges and universities may request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
- For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
- Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Bankruptcy.blog YouTube Channel.
Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources
Explore additional consumer guides and state-specific directories to navigate your legal options:
- A step-by-step master guide to completing and understanding the bankruptcy petition.
- Bankruptcy Court Directory: Full listings for the federal bankruptcy court system and trustee contact information.
- State Bankruptcy Exemptions: Review your state‑specific exemptions or compare them with the federal exemptions.
- 341 Meeting Procedures: Prepare for your court date with updated rules, expectations, and practical guidance.
Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.
Statutory References
- Official Form 103A. Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments.
- Official Form 103B. Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.
- 28 U.S. Code §1930 – Bankruptcy fees.
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