Search Court Records by Name
Enter first name, last name, and state to prepare a court records search.
Obtain Court Records | Free Public Search Online
Use this clear guide to obtain court records online, find the right court, search free public case information where available, use PACER for federal cases, request certified copies, locate older federal records, avoid fake record sites, and understand what to do when a case is not searchable online.
Quick answer: To obtain court records, first identify the exact court where the case was filed. Use PACER for federal appellate, district and bankruptcy records. Use the official state judiciary, county clerk, clerk of court, municipal court, probate court or traffic court website for state and local records. If the record will be used for legal, employment, immigration, licensing, housing, school, title or agency purposes, request a certified copy from the court clerk instead of relying on a screenshot or private search result.
I Want To…
Pick your task first. A “court record” can mean a docket sheet, filed document, certified order, transcript, judgment, divorce decree, probate file, traffic citation, bankruptcy record or archived federal case file.
Search a case online
Use the official portal for the court where the case was filed. Search by case number first, then party name if needed.
Federal SearchFind the court
For federal cases, use the federal court finder. For state cases, search the official state judiciary or county clerk.
Find Federal CourtOrder official proof
Ask the clerk for the correct copy type: plain, certified, exemplified, transcript, e-certified or archived.
Use Copy ChecklistResearch old records
Older federal records may be held by the National Archives or a Federal Records Center after transfer from the court.
Open NARA GuidanceWhere Should You Search First?
No single free website contains every U.S. court record. Start with the court system, then use the official source for that court.
| Record needed | Official starting point | Best search detail | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal civil, criminal, appellate or bankruptcy case | PACER Find a Case | Case number, party name, court, district, circuit or bankruptcy court. | PACER is for federal court records, not state or county court records. |
| State trial court case | Official state judiciary or state court e-access site. | Case number, party name, county, court type and filing year. | State portals vary widely; some require county-level search. |
| County civil, criminal, probate or family case | County clerk, clerk of court, circuit court, district court or superior court site. | Docket number, party name, estate name, citation number or document title. | Family, juvenile, sealed, adoption and probate records may be limited. |
| Traffic ticket or municipal citation | Municipal court, traffic court, justice court or county court payment portal. | Citation number, ticket number, driver name, court date or license plate if supported. | Paying a citation may affect your driving record or insurance. |
| Certified order, judgment, divorce decree or disposition | The clerk of the court that entered the order. | Case number, party names, document title and filing date. | A docket printout is not usually a certified court record. |
| Older federal case file | National Archives Court Records | Court name, case number, parties, filing year and case type. | Federal records less than 15 years old are generally still with the court. |
| Criminal background check | State police, state bureau of investigation, FBI or authorized background-check agency. | State-required personal identifiers or fingerprints. | A court docket is not the same as a criminal history report. |
How to Obtain Court Records Online
Use this workflow before paying, filing or traveling. It helps prevent wrong-court searches, wrong-person matches and unofficial copies.
Identify the court system
Decide whether the case is federal, state, county, municipal, traffic, probate, family, bankruptcy, appellate or small claims.
Find the official court source
Use PACER or the federal court finder for federal cases. Use the official state judiciary or county clerk for state/local cases.
Search by case number first
Case number is safer than name search. If you do not have it, try party name, business name, filing year, county, court type and citation number.
Confirm the match
Check party role, filing date, court location, case type, status, disposition, docket entries and document title.
Choose the correct copy type
Plain copy, certified copy, exemplified copy, e-certified copy, transcript, disposition letter and background check are not the same.
Save proof
Keep the court name, case number, receipt, order number, confirmation email, download receipt, mailing tracking and clerk instructions.
How to Obtain Federal Court Records Through PACER
U.S. Courts says federal case files are created and maintained by federal courts and can be found on PACER or by visiting the Clerk’s Office of the courthouse where the case was filed. PACER covers federal appellate, district and bankruptcy court case and docket information.
Search by specific court
Use this when you know the federal district, bankruptcy court or appellate court where the case was filed.
Open court-specific PACER searchSearch nationwide
Use PACER Case Locator when you do not know the exact federal court. PACER says the Case Locator is a national index for district, bankruptcy and appellate courts.
Open PACER Case LocatorGet PACER help
PACER lists service center help at 800-676-6856, Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time, or by email at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.
Open PACER homepageHow to Obtain State, County and Local Court Records
State and local court records are not stored in PACER unless the case is federal. Each state and county controls its own court-record portals, fees, redactions, request rules and certified-copy process.
Best places to search
- Official state judiciary website
- County clerk or clerk of court website
- District, circuit, superior or trial court portal
- Municipal or traffic court website
- Probate court, register of wills or surrogate court
Search details to prepare
- Case number or docket number
- Full legal name or business name
- County and state
- Court type and filing year
- Citation number or ticket number
- Document title if ordering copies
| State/local record | Likely office | What to ask before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Civil lawsuit | County clerk, clerk of court, district court, circuit court or superior court. | Can I search online, and what is the certified-copy process? |
| Criminal disposition | Criminal court clerk, district court, county court or superior court. | Is the final disposition online, restricted, or available only by clerk request? |
| Divorce decree or family order | Family court, domestic relations court or county clerk. | Is the full record public, redacted, sealed or certified-copy only? |
| Probate, estate or will | Probate court, surrogate court, register of wills or county clerk. | Do I need proof of authority, estate number or decedent information? |
| Traffic ticket | Traffic court, municipal court, justice court or county court. | Does paying count as a plea, and is court appearance required? |
How to Obtain Older Federal Court Records
The National Archives says federal court records less than 15 years old are generally still with individual courts and are not held by the National Archives. Older federal files may be at a National Archives location or Federal Records Center depending on the court, case type and transfer history.
Before contacting archives
- Find the federal court name.
- Collect the case number and party names.
- Know the filing year and case type.
- Ask the court whether the file was transferred.
- Write down any archive location or transfer/accession details.
Expect this
- Older records may not be digitized.
- Search may require more than a name.
- Copy and retrieval fees may apply.
- Processing can take longer than online lookup.
- Some files may have restrictions or missing parts.
Certified Court Records: What to Request
A certified copy usually comes from the clerk and includes a certification, seal, stamp, digital validation or clerk statement. If a record will be used officially, ask the receiving agency what exact record type it needs before ordering.
| Copy type | Use it for | Ask the clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Plain copy | Personal review, informal reference, basic research. | Is a plain copy enough for my purpose? |
| Certified copy | Agency submission, licensing, court filing, title, immigration, employment or official proof. | What is the certification fee and delivery method? |
| Exemplified copy | Some out-of-state, international or formal legal uses. | Does the receiving agency require exemplification? |
| Transcript | Word-for-word record of a hearing or trial. | Who is the court reporter, and what is the transcript rate? |
| Docket sheet | Case history, filings, events and status overview. | Is this docket certified or just an online view? |
| Criminal history report | Background check required by employer, agency or licensing board. | Should I use the state police, FBI or authorized background-check process instead? |
Free Court Records Search vs Paid Copies
Many courts allow free basic docket search, but money may be charged for downloads, reports, certified copies, transcripts, archived retrievals, mailing, convenience fees or name searches. Always verify current fees on the official court page.
| Action | Often free? | May cost money? | Verify before paying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic state/county docket search | Often, depending on court. | Document downloads, name searches or advanced reports. | Official court search disclaimer and fee page. |
| PACER federal documents | Fees may be waived under quarterly exemption threshold. | Per-page fees after threshold, with caps and exceptions. | PACER pricing page before downloading. |
| Courthouse public terminal | Viewing may be free in some courthouses. | Printing, copies or certified copies. | Local clerk public-access policy. |
| Certified copy | Usually no. | Per-page, certification, mailing and card processing fees. | Copy type, page count and delivery method. |
| Court transcript | Usually no. | Court reporter transcript rates and expedited delivery. | Transcript office or court reporter process. |
| Archived file | Search guidance may be free. | Retrieval, reproduction, archive and mailing charges. | Court, archive or National Archives order process. |
Checklist Before Visiting or Calling a Court Clerk
Call before traveling if the case is old, sealed, juvenile, confidential, archived, transcript-related or needed urgently.
Prepare this
- Case number or citation number
- Full party names and business names
- Court name, county, state and division
- Filing year or approximate date
- Document title and filing date if known
- Photo ID if visiting
- Payment method accepted by that court
- Agency instructions if a certified copy is required
Ask this
- Does your office hold this record?
- Is it public, restricted, sealed or archived?
- Can I search online or must I request it?
- Do I need a certified or exemplified copy?
- What is the total fee?
- Can I receive it by email, mail, download or pickup?
- How long does processing usually take?
Records That May Not Be Available Online
Public access does not mean every document is online. Courts restrict or redact certain records to protect minors, victims, identities, sealed matters, confidential family information and legally protected data.
Often limited
Juvenile, adoption, guardianship, mental health, sealed, expunged, domestic violence and confidential family matters.
Often redacted
Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, birth dates, medical details, minor names and sensitive identifiers.
Often offline
Older files, exhibits, transcripts, paper-only documents, archived files and sealed orders may require clerk or archive contact.
Court Record Not Found? Try This
| Problem | Likely reason | Best fix |
|---|---|---|
| No result by name | Spelling issue, name change, business name, wrong county or common-name match problem. | Search by case number, last name only, alternate spellings and exact court location. |
| State case not in PACER | PACER is for federal courts. | Use the state judiciary or county clerk website. |
| Federal case not found | Wrong district, bankruptcy court, appellate court or party spelling. | Use PACER Case Locator or call the federal court clerk. |
| Document missing from online docket | Document may be sealed, paper-only, recently filed, archived or unavailable online. | Ask the clerk whether the document can be requested. |
| Agency rejects your record | Plain copy or screenshot used where certified copy was required. | Order the certified, e-certified or exemplified copy required by that agency. |
| Old federal file unavailable | Record may be at National Archives, Federal Records Center or offsite storage. | Contact the court first and ask if the file was transferred. |
Common Mistakes When Obtaining Court Records
Searching the wrong system
Federal, state, county, municipal, probate, traffic and bankruptcy records are not all in one database.
Trusting a private site first
Private databases may be incomplete, outdated or not certified. Start with official sources.
Using a screenshot as proof
Official agencies often require a certified copy, not an online image or informal printout.
Ignoring sealed-record rules
Juvenile, adoption, sealed, expunged or confidential records may require court permission.
Paying the wrong fee
Fees vary by court and copy type. Confirm page count, certification and mailing charges first.
Mixing up records
Court records, police reports, arrest logs, criminal-history checks and background checks are different.
After You Search, Pay or Request Court Records
Save proof immediately. It is easier to fix a payment, missing download, copy request or rejected record when you have the details.
Save this
- Court name and location
- Case number or citation number
- Party names
- Document title
- Search date
- Payment receipt or confirmation number
- Copy request email or form
- Tracking or download details
Follow up when
- The payment does not post.
- The document is not delivered.
- The agency rejects the record.
- The case status changes.
- The court date is close.
- The clerk asks for more details.
Official Court Record Links
Use these official sources for federal court records, PACER registration, court location, older federal records and fee verification. For state and county records, use the official state judiciary or county clerk for the court where the case was filed.
PACER Case Locator
Nationwide index for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate courts.
Open PACER Case LocatorU.S. Courts Records
Federal court record overview and courthouse clerk guidance.
Open U.S. Courts RecordsPeople Also Search These Court Record Questions
| Search intent | What the user needs | Practical answer |
|---|---|---|
| Free public court records search | Basic online case lookup. | Use official court portals first. Free search may exist, but copies, downloads, PACER records and certification may cost money. |
| Obtain court records by name | Search without case number. | Name search may work, but verify identity carefully and narrow by court, county, state and year. |
| Court records near me | Find courthouse or clerk office. | Use the court where the case was filed. For federal court, use the federal court finder; for state/local cases, use county/state court sources. |
| Certified court records | Official proof. | Order certified copies from the court clerk and confirm the copy type required by the receiving agency. |
| Federal court records | U.S. district, bankruptcy or appellate records. | Use PACER, PACER Case Locator, a federal court clerk, or National Archives for older transferred files. |
| Criminal court records | Docket, disposition or background check. | Use court records for case details. Use official state/FBI criminal-history routes when a background check is required. |
| Divorce court records | Decree or family court order. | Contact the county family court, domestic relations court or county clerk. Full records may be restricted. |
Obtain Court Records: Direct Answer
To obtain court records, identify the court where the case was filed, search the official court portal, confirm the case number and party identity, then request a certified copy from the clerk if the record will be used officially. Use PACER for federal appellate, district and bankruptcy records; use the state judiciary or county clerk for state/local records; and use the National Archives for older federal records transferred out of the courthouse.
Obtain Court Records FAQs
How do I obtain court records online?
Identify the court where the case was filed, use the official court website or portal, search by case number or party name, confirm the match, and request official copies from the clerk if needed.
Can I search court records for free?
Often yes for basic state or county docket searches, but access rules vary. Federal PACER records may have fees after free thresholds, and certified copies, transcripts, downloads or archive retrievals may cost money.
Where do I find federal court records?
Use PACER Find a Case for federal appellate, district and bankruptcy records. If you know the court, search that court directly. If you do not know the court, use the PACER Case Locator or contact the federal court clerk.
Where do I find state or county court records?
Use the official state judiciary, county clerk, clerk of court, superior court, circuit court, district court, probate court, municipal court or traffic court website for the location where the case was filed.
Is an online docket the same as a certified court record?
No. An online docket helps you locate case information, but a certified court record is issued by the court or clerk and may be required for official use.
How do I get certified copies of court records?
Contact the clerk of the court that holds the case file. Provide the case number, party names, document title and filing date. Ask for the current fee, copy type, payment method and delivery options.
How much does PACER cost?
PACER currently lists online access at $0.10 per page, with a $3 cap for many single documents and case-specific reports, and fees waived for users who accrue $30 or less in a quarter. PACER announced a temporary increase to $0.12 per page beginning January 1, 2027, with the automatic quarterly exemption rising to $40, so verify the live fee page before downloading.
Where are older federal court records kept?
Federal court records less than 15 years old are generally still with the court. Older federal files may be held by the National Archives or a Federal Records Center, depending on the court and case transfer history.
Why can’t I find a court case online?
The case may be in another court, filed under a different name, too old, too new, archived, sealed, expunged, juvenile, confidential, paper-only or not searchable online. Try the case number or call the court clerk.
Are court records the same as criminal background checks?
No. Court records show case activity in a specific court. Criminal background checks are usually handled through state police, state bureaus of investigation, the FBI or another authorized agency.
Can I obtain sealed or juvenile court records?
Usually not through a general public search. Sealed, juvenile, adoption, expunged, confidential family and restricted records may require court permission, proof of identity, party status or a formal motion.
What should I save after requesting court records?
Save the case number, court name, clerk contact, request date, payment receipt, order number, download confirmation, tracking number and any instructions from the court.
Best Next Step
Start by identifying the exact court and case type. Use PACER for federal cases, the state judiciary or county clerk for state/local cases, and National Archives guidance for older federal records. Search online to find the case number, then contact the clerk if you need a certified copy, transcript, archived file or legally reliable record.
Official-source check completed July 13, 2026. Court search tools, fees, certified-copy rules, PACER pricing, archive procedures, public access limits and clerk office processes can change. Verify directly with the official court before payment, filing, travel or legal use.