Court records are generally open to the public, but public does not mean easy to find. Records live in the court that handled the case, and each system maintains its own search tools, fees, and access rules. The key is to identify the right court first, then use that court's portal.
Step 1: Identify Which Court Handled the Case
Start by asking whether the matter was federal, state, or local. Federal cases go to U.S. district courts, courts of appeals, and bankruptcy courts. State cases go to state trial and appellate courts, often organized by county. Municipal and justice courts handle smaller matters. The case number format, the parties, and the type of claim can help you tell which system you need.
Federal Court Records and PACER
The federal judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records system, or PACER, is the primary portal at pacer.uscourts.gov. After registering, you can search the nationwide Case Locator for parties or case numbers and pull dockets and filed documents from individual courts. PACER charges modest per-page fees with a cap per document, and it offers waivers for very low usage; check the current fee schedule on the site before searching. The U.S. Courts website at uscourts.gov explains court structure, and the Supreme Court publishes its opinions and docket at supremecourt.gov.
Free Alternatives: RECAP and CourtListener
PACER documents that someone has already purchased can be shared through RECAP, a project of the Free Law Project, and searched at courtlistener.com. CourtListener also hosts millions of opinions for free. These tools are helpful for research and for documents already in the archive, but they are not a complete substitute for PACER, which remains the authoritative source for current federal filings.
State Court Records
State records are more fragmented. Many state judiciaries offer a centralized case search, while others leave access to individual county clerks. A reliable starting point is searching for the state name plus "court case search" and choosing the official judiciary or court domain. Some states provide free docket searches but charge for documents; others offer only in-person or mail requests. Appellate opinions are often published free on the court's website or through the state bar.
Bankruptcy Records
Bankruptcy filings are federal and appear in PACER through the bankruptcy court for the district where the case was filed. Because bankruptcy touches debts and assets, certain personal information is restricted, and some documents are available only to parties. The basic docket, including the case number and filing date, is generally public.
What a Docket Contains vs. What a Document Contains
A docket is the case's table of contents: it lists each filing, the date, and the party who filed it, along with hearing dates and the final judgment. A document is the actual paper filed, such as a complaint, motion, or order. Many courts let you view dockets for free or at low cost but charge for the documents themselves. Knowing the difference saves time and money.
| Court system | Portal | What you can find |
|---|---|---|
| Federal trial and appellate | pacer.uscourts.gov | Dockets, filings, opinions, judgments |
| Federal opinions and archived filings | courtlistener.com | Free opinions and RECAP documents |
| U.S. Supreme Court | supremecourt.gov | Opinions, orders, docket |
| State trial and appellate | State judiciary or county clerk sites | Varies by state; dockets and some documents |
| Bankruptcy | pacer.uscourts.gov | Case docket and public filings |
Records That Are Sealed or Restricted
Not everything is public. Juvenile proceedings, grand jury materials, sealed settlements, and documents covered by protective orders are commonly restricted. Courts may also redact personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth under rules like Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2. Expunged criminal records are removed from public view, and some states limit online access to older cases. If a record is sealed, you generally need a court order to see it.
Search Tips That Save Time
- Gather the exact party name, case number, court, and approximate filing date before you start.
- Try name variations, including maiden names and business entity names.
- Search a date range rather than a single day; cases can span years.
- Check the court's help page or call the clerk's office when a search returns nothing.
- Keep a copy of the docket and any documents you rely on.
Certified Copies and Authentication
A downloaded PDF is usually enough for your own research, but some purposes require a certified copy. Courts and agencies may ask for a copy stamped and signed by the clerk, and documents used in another state or country may need additional authentication such as an apostille. Certified copies come from the clerk of the court that issued the document, often for a fee, and the process can take days or weeks. Request them early if a deadline is approaching.
Court Records vs. Background Checks
A background check is not the same as a court records search. Commercial background-check companies compile data from many sources, and their reports can contain errors or outdated entries. When accuracy matters, verify the information against the original court record. If you are the subject of a consumer report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you rights to dispute inaccurate information and to obtain the underlying file from the reporting agency.
Privacy and Responsible Use
Public access does not mean records can be used for any purpose. Many states restrict using court records for employment, housing, or credit decisions, and some records are subject to confidentiality laws. If you are researching your own record, you can often request corrections or sealing where the law allows. If you need a record for a legal proceeding, a lawyer can help you obtain certified copies.
Court records can be powerful evidence and useful background, but access rules differ by court and change over time. Verify current procedures with the court, and treat this guide as general information rather than legal advice.