Federal Court Records | Free Public Search Online

Federal Court Records Overview

Federal court records are case records created by the United States federal judiciary. These records may include docket sheets, case numbers, party names, complaint filings, indictments, motions, orders, judgments, opinions, appellate briefs, bankruptcy petitions, claims registers, notices, transcripts, exhibits, hearing entries and other documents filed in a federal case.

The federal court system is separate from state, county and municipal courts. A divorce case, local traffic ticket, small claims case, probate matter or county criminal case is usually not a federal case. Federal records are generally connected to U.S. district courts, U.S. bankruptcy courts, U.S. courts of appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court or special federal courts.

The official online system for most federal trial, bankruptcy and appellate records is PACER. The PACER Case Locator is useful when you know a party name but do not know the specific federal court. The Supreme Court has its own official docket search. Older closed federal case files may be stored by the National Archives or Federal Records Centers, depending on the case type and age.

Federal Court Records Free Public Search: What Is Free and What Is Not

Many users search for “federal court records free public search online” because federal court records are public in many situations. Public does not always mean completely free online. PACER registration does not have a registration fee, but PACER use can generate access fees. Some users may owe nothing in a billing quarter if their usage stays within the official quarterly waiver limit.

PACER’s official pricing pages explain that use of the PACER system generates a per-page charge, and access to a single electronic document is capped at a maximum amount for most documents. PACER also states that if a user accrues $30 or less in usage during a quarter, those fees are waived for that quarter. Fee rules, exemptions and special services can change, so always verify directly on PACER before heavy searching.

Official Portal Confusion: PACER, CM/ECF, Case Locator, RECAP, State Portals or Supreme Court Dockets?

Federal court records create confusion because several tools sound similar. PACER is the public access system. CM/ECF is the federal electronic filing and case-management system used by courts and filers. PACER Case Locator is a national index that helps locate federal district, bankruptcy and appellate cases. The U.S. Supreme Court has its own docket search. The National Archives stores many older closed federal records.

State court portals are different. A state public access site, county clerk search, municipal court portal, Odyssey, Case.net, Judici, CCAP, MyCase, eCourts or state court case search may be official for state/local courts, but they are not the main system for federal court records. If the case is federal, use PACER or the correct federal court website.

PACER Case Search for Federal Court Records

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is the official federal judiciary system for online access to many federal case and docket records. PACER allows users with an account to search cases in the court where a case was filed or search a nationwide federal case index.

PACER can include district court cases, bankruptcy court cases and appellate court cases. A federal case file commonly includes a docket sheet and filed documents. The docket sheet is the running list of case events and filings. The documents can include complaints, petitions, indictments, motions, orders, judgments and other filings unless sealed or restricted.

How to search federal records in PACER

1. Create or use a PACER account. Go to PACER account registration if you do not already have access.
2. Decide whether you know the court. If you know the district, bankruptcy court or appellate court, search that specific court. If not, use the PACER Case Locator.
3. Search by case number first. Federal case number search is usually more accurate than broad party-name search.
4. Filter results carefully. Use party name, filing date, case type, chapter, district, appellate court or case status where available.
5. Review fees before opening documents. PACER usage can create charges, so preview and select only the records you actually need.

PACER Case Locator Nationwide Search

The PACER Case Locator is the national index for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate courts. It is useful when you know a person, business, debtor, plaintiff, defendant, attorney or case title but do not know which federal court handled the case. The locator collects case information from courts and updates the index regularly.

Because the Case Locator is a national index, it is powerful but can return many matches. A large company, common name or broad party search can create confusing results. Use date ranges, court type, region, bankruptcy chapter, case status and exact party names whenever possible.

How to use the PACER Case Locator carefully

1. Start with the exact party name. For companies, use the full legal business name, not only a brand name.
2. Add court type if known. Choose district, bankruptcy or appellate if you know the category.
3. Use date filters. Filing year or approximate date can reduce wrong matches.
4. Open the specific court case after locating it. Once the locator identifies the court and case number, open the actual court docket for details.
5. Save the case number. Future searches are easier and cheaper when you use the exact case number.

Federal Case Number Search

A federal case number is the best way to search federal court records. Federal case numbers often include the filing year, case type, sequence number, judge initials or court identifiers. Examples may vary by district, bankruptcy court or appellate court. You may see case types like civil, criminal, bankruptcy, miscellaneous, appellate or adversary proceeding.

How to search by federal case number

1. Find the complete federal case number. Look on a complaint, summons, indictment, notice of electronic filing, docket sheet, bankruptcy notice, order or attorney letter.
2. Identify the court if possible. Check whether the document names a U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Court of Appeals or U.S. Supreme Court.
3. Use the specific court search. Searching inside the correct federal court is usually faster than a nationwide index search.
4. Enter the number carefully. Keep the year, case type, sequence number and judge initials where required.
5. Open the docket before documents. The docket helps you identify the needed filings, orders and judgments.

Federal Court Records by Name

Federal court records can often be searched by party name, but name search requires care. A person or company may appear in multiple federal districts, bankruptcy cases, civil cases, criminal cases or appellate matters. Names may also appear as plaintiffs, defendants, debtors, creditors, appellants, appellees, petitioners, respondents, claimants or attorneys.

How to search federal cases by name safely

1. Use the exact legal name. For businesses, search the registered company name and possible abbreviations.
2. Use the correct role if known. Plaintiff, defendant, debtor, creditor, petitioner and appellant searches can return different results.
3. Add district or state if possible. A nationwide search without location can produce many results.
4. Check case type. Civil, criminal, bankruptcy and appellate records are different.
5. Verify identity carefully. Do not assume a federal case belongs to the right person just because a name matches.

Federal Docket Lookup and Court Date Search

A federal docket is the official running list of case activity. It may include the complaint, petition, indictment, notices, motions, briefs, orders, judgments, hearings, deadlines, transcripts, appeals and document numbers. Docket lookup is often the first step before opening documents because it shows what exists in the case.

Federal court dates may appear on the docket as hearings, conferences, trials, sentencings, oral arguments or bankruptcy hearings. Some courts also provide public calendars or courtroom schedules. Always verify court dates with the official docket, court notice or clerk’s office, because schedules can change.

How to find federal court dates and docket entries

1. Open the case docket in PACER. Use the case number or party search to access the case.
2. Review recent docket entries. Look for notices of hearing, scheduling orders, minutes, trial settings or oral argument notices.
3. Check document numbers. The docket identifies which document number corresponds to which filing.
4. Confirm the court and courtroom. Federal courthouses can have multiple divisions and judges.
5. Re-check close to the date. Federal hearings may be continued, vacated, sealed, converted to remote format or moved.

Federal District Court Records

U.S. District Courts handle many federal trial-level cases. These include federal civil cases, federal criminal cases, constitutional claims, civil rights cases, federal question cases, diversity jurisdiction cases, federal agency disputes, employment cases, intellectual property cases and other matters within federal jurisdiction.

District court records are typically searched through PACER and the specific district court CM/ECF system. Each federal district may have multiple courthouses or divisions. The court where the case was filed is important because searching the wrong district may not return the record.

Common district court records users search

• Civil complaints and amended complaints
• Federal criminal indictments and informations
• Motions, responses and replies
• Orders and minute entries
• Judgments and sentencing entries
• Notices of removal from state court
• Trial schedules and hearing notices
• Opinions and appeal notices

District court search tips

When searching a district court case, use the filing district, division, judge initials and case type if available. If you are not sure which district handled the case, search the PACER Case Locator first. Once you find the exact case, save the district and case number for future lookup.

Federal Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy cases are federal court records. They are handled by U.S. Bankruptcy Courts and accessed online through PACER. Bankruptcy records may include petitions, schedules, statements, creditor lists, claims, trustee filings, discharge orders, dismissal orders, adversary proceedings and docket activity.

Bankruptcy case lookup is often searched by debtor name, case number, filing district, chapter and filing date. A bankruptcy record can affect credit reporting, debt collection, asset claims and legal rights, so users should verify the exact debtor identity and case status before relying on any result.

How to search federal bankruptcy records

1. Use PACER or the bankruptcy court where filed. Bankruptcy case records are available through PACER and bankruptcy clerk offices.
2. Search by debtor name or case number. Use exact legal names, business names and filing district where possible.
3. Check chapter and status. Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 cases have different meanings.
4. Review discharge or dismissal entries. Do not assume a bankruptcy case was completed without checking the docket.
5. Use National Archives for older closed files when needed. Some closed bankruptcy files may be ordered through official archives processes.

Federal Appellate Court Records

Federal appellate court records are records from the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Appeals may come from district courts, bankruptcy appellate matters, administrative agency decisions or other federal proceedings. Appellate records may include notices of appeal, briefs, appendices, motions, orders, opinions, judgments and mandates.

Appellate cases can be searched through PACER and the specific court of appeals. A federal appeal usually has its own appellate case number, but it may also reference a lower court case number. If you know the lower court case, check the district court docket for a notice of appeal and appellate case number.

How to search federal appeals

1. Find the appellate court. Check whether the case is in the First Circuit, Second Circuit, Third Circuit or another federal circuit.
2. Use the appellate case number if available. This is cleaner than party-name search.
3. Check the lower court docket. The district docket may show the notice of appeal and appellate number.
4. Review opinions and mandates. Final appellate outcomes often appear as opinions, judgments and mandates.
5. Use official court opinion pages when available. Some opinions may be free through court websites or official publication systems.

U.S. Supreme Court Docket Records

The U.S. Supreme Court has a separate official docket search. Users can search by Supreme Court docket number, case name or other terms included in the docket report. Supreme Court docket numbers use a term-year format, and the Court’s website also provides case documents, orders, opinions and other official resources.

How to search a Supreme Court docket

1. Open the official docket page. Go to Supreme Court Docket Search.
2. Search by docket number if known. This is usually the most accurate method.
3. Search by case name if needed. Use the party names exactly as they appear in the case caption.
4. Review docket activity. Look for petitions, briefs, orders, grants, denials, argument dates and opinions.
5. Use Supreme Court case documents for filings. The Court provides case documents and docket details through its official site.

Federal Criminal Court Records

Federal criminal court records involve prosecutions brought by the United States government. These may include indictments, informations, complaints, arrest warrants, detention orders, plea agreements, sentencing memoranda, judgments, probation conditions and appeal records. Some criminal filings may be sealed, redacted or restricted, especially early in an investigation.

Federal criminal records can be sensitive. A public docket may show case activity, but sealed documents, presentence reports, cooperation information, juvenile matters, victim information and certain law-enforcement materials may not be publicly available.

How to search federal criminal records

1. Search by case number if available. Federal criminal case numbers are more accurate than defendant-name searches.
2. Identify the district court. Federal criminal cases are filed in U.S. District Courts.
3. Review indictment and judgment entries carefully. These documents often explain charges and final outcomes.
4. Watch for sealed or restricted filings. Some entries may appear on the docket but not be viewable.
5. Verify identity before relying on a result. Name matches can be wrong and should not be treated as proof.

Federal Civil Court Records

Federal civil court records include lawsuits filed in U.S. District Courts. Common federal civil case types include civil rights, employment discrimination, contract disputes, intellectual property, federal agency litigation, constitutional claims, class actions, securities cases, prisoner civil rights, habeas petitions and removed state cases.

How to search federal civil cases

1. Search by party name or case number. Use the exact business name or person name when searching.
2. Identify the district court. Federal civil cases are filed in districts, and many states have multiple federal districts.
3. Open the docket sheet. The docket shows complaint, motions, orders and judgment entries.
4. Check for removal from state court. Some federal civil cases begin in state court and are removed to federal court.
5. Review final judgment and appeal entries. Case status may change after appeals or post-judgment motions.

Copies, Certified Records and Archived Federal Case Files

If you need official proof of a federal court record, a docket screenshot may not be enough. Certified copies, exemplified copies, transcripts, archived case files and older records usually require a clerk or National Archives request process. The right office depends on whether the case is active, recently closed, archived or transferred.

For recent federal cases, contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed. For older closed cases, the National Archives may hold the file or direct users to the correct repository. National Archives instructions explain how to request copies of closed bankruptcy, civil, criminal and court of appeals case files.

How to request federal court copies

1. Identify the exact court and case number. The clerk or archives will need precise case details.
2. Check whether the case is active or archived. Active files are usually handled by the court clerk; older closed files may be archived.
3. Ask if certification is required. Certified or exemplified copies may be needed for official legal use.
4. Use official order instructions. Follow the court clerk or National Archives process, not a private copy service.
5. Verify fees before ordering. Copy, certification, search and mailing fees can apply.

What to Do When Federal Court Records Are Not Showing Online

If a federal record does not appear online, do not assume the case never existed. The case may be in a different federal court, sealed, restricted, missearched by name, archived, too old for easy online access, filed under a business entity name, transferred, consolidated, appealed, remanded or stored in a different system.

Common reasons federal records are missing

• The case is actually in state or county court, not federal court.
• The case number format was entered incorrectly.
• The party name is spelled differently or appears as a business entity.
• The case is sealed or restricted from public access.
• The case is older and may be held by the National Archives.
• The case is in bankruptcy court or appellate court, not district court.
• The search was done in the wrong federal district or circuit.
• The case is a Supreme Court docket and must be searched on SupremeCourt.gov.
• The docket exists, but the specific document is sealed or not available remotely.

Sealed, Confidential and Restricted Federal Court Records

Federal court records can be public, sealed, partially sealed, redacted or restricted. Sealed records may include sealed indictments, search warrant materials, cooperation filings, certain victim information, juvenile-related records, presentence reports, trade secrets, national security materials, personal identifiers and records sealed by court order.

Sometimes a docket will show a sealed entry without public access to the document. Sometimes the entire case may be sealed. In other cases, a redacted public version may be available while the full document remains restricted. A clerk cannot release sealed documents just because a member of the public asks for them.

What to do if a federal record is sealed

1. Read the docket entry carefully. It may say sealed, restricted, ex parte, redacted or unavailable.
2. Check for a public redacted version. Courts sometimes require a public version of sealed filings.
3. Do not try to bypass access rules. Use official court procedures only.
4. Get legal advice if you are a party. Parties and attorneys may have different access rights than the general public.

Federal Courthouse Search Map

Because this is a nationwide federal court records guide, no single courthouse address should be invented. Use the map below as a safe starting point to locate a nearby federal courthouse or clerk’s office. For official records, always confirm the correct district, bankruptcy court, appellate court, address and clerk instructions through the official court website before visiting.

Official Resources for Federal Court Records

Use the official resources below before using private docket websites. Private databases may republish federal docket information, but PACER, U.S. Courts, SupremeCourt.gov and National Archives are the safer official starting points.

Federal Court Records FAQ

Editorial Note and Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for public information and federal court-record search help only. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace U.S. Courts rules, PACER terms, court clerk instructions, attorney advice, court notices or a judge’s order. Federal court systems, fees, access rules, sealed-record restrictions, docket availability, copy procedures and archive locations can change. Always verify important information through official U.S. Courts, PACER, Supreme Court or National Archives resources before filing, paying, appearing in court or relying on a record.

Final Summary

For federal court records, the safest official starting point is PACER. Use PACER to search federal district, bankruptcy and appellate case records. Use the PACER Case Locator when you do not know the filing court. Use SupremeCourt.gov for U.S. Supreme Court docket searches. Use the National Archives for many older closed federal case files.

Basic federal record search may be low-cost or free for light usage under PACER’s quarterly waiver rules, but PACER document access, case searches, certified copies, archived files and special clerk services may involve fees. If a record is missing, check the case number format, party name, court type, sealed status, archived status and whether the case is actually state or county court instead of federal court.