Search Court Records by Name
Enter first name, last name, and state to prepare a court records search.
DC Court Records | Free Public Search Online
DC court records are not searched in one single place. Civil and probate-style cases usually start in the DC Superior Court Portal, criminal and domestic violence dockets use eAccess, appeals use C-Track, and federal DC cases use PACER or the federal Clerk’s Office.
Quick answer: Use the official DC Courts Search Cases page first. Choose Portal for many civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master and probate records. Choose eAccess for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence records. Choose C-Track for DC Court of Appeals dockets. Use PACER or the federal Clerk’s Office for U.S. District Court records.
I Want To Search DC Court Records For…
Start with the user task, not the keyword. DC uses different search tools depending on the court and case type.
Eviction or landlord-tenant case
Use Portal because DC Courts lists landlord-tenant under Superior Court civil case types.
Open PortalCriminal case or hearing
Use eAccess for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence case types. Criminal citations may require the police district.
Open eAccessCivil lawsuit or small claim
Use Portal for civil cases, small claims and civil tax matters. Search by name, business or case number.
View Superior SearchAppeal docket
Use the DC Court of Appeals C-Track public case search for appellate dockets and available public filings.
Search C-TrackFederal DC case
Federal DC cases are separate. Use PACER, public terminals or the U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office.
Federal RecordsMarriage or divorce copy
Use Family Court or Marriage Bureau copy routes. Ask whether certified copy, true seal or another format is required.
Family Court InfoProbate document
Use Portal for probate case lookup, and use the official probate copy-request form for probate documents.
Probate Copy FormPolice clearance
A police clearance is not a court docket. Use Metropolitan Police Department police-clearance guidance.
MPD ClearancesDC Court Records Decision Table: Use This Before You Search
The fastest search is the one that starts in the right official system. This table prevents the most common failed searches.
Use Portal when…
You need civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master or probate records.
Use eAccess when…
You need criminal, criminal tax or domestic violence docket information.
Use C-Track when…
You need a Court of Appeals docket, appellate case number, public order or available public filing.
Use PACER when…
The case is federal, including U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia matters.
| Need | Official action | Search details to prepare | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil case, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master, probate | Open DC Superior Court Portal | Party name, business name, case number, case type, filing date. | Some documents or restricted cases may not be publicly available. |
| Criminal, criminal tax, domestic violence | Open eAccess | Full name, case number, PDID if available, hearing date. | Criminal citation cases are not available in eAccess; ask the issuing police district. |
| DC appeal | Open Court of Appeals C-Track | Appellate case number, party name, lower-court case number. | Public document access is not available for every case type. |
| Federal DC case | Open Federal Court Records | PACER account, case number, party name, document number. | Federal records are not in DC Superior Court systems. |
| Police clearance / arrest history | Open MPD Police Clearances | Required ID, request form details, appointment/process requirements. | A court docket is not the same as a police clearance. |
How to Use DC Superior Court Portal for Civil and Probate-Type Records
DC Courts directs users to Portal for many Civil Division case types, including landlord-tenant and small claims, civil tax cases, Office of Auditor-Master matters and Probate Division case types. The court notes that most Portal case information can be viewed anonymously without registration.
Open the official Superior Court case-search guide
Use the DC Courts Superior Court Case Search page first so you understand whether Portal or eAccess applies to your case type.
Choose Portal for civil/probate-style matters
Use Portal for civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master and probate searches.
Search broad, then narrow
Try party name or business name first. If you get too many results, add case number, filing year or case-type filters.
Open docket details
Do not stop at the result list. Review docket entries, hearing dates, judgments, case status and available documents.
Ask for official copies when needed
Online docket access is not the same as certified records. Contact the division handling the case if an agency, court, employer or attorney needs an official copy.
How to Use DC Superior Court eAccess for Criminal and Domestic Violence Records
Use eAccess for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence case types. DC Courts states that criminal online case-search results may show case summary, parties and the next scheduled hearing. eAccess assistance is listed at 202-879-1700.
Prepare identifiers
Have full name, case number, PDID, hearing date or other exact details ready.
Read disposition
A charge or arrest entry is not proof of conviction. Read status, disposition and hearing information carefully.
Citation warning
DC Courts says criminal citation cases are not available in eAccess. Contact the police district that issued the citation.
Open eAccess from the official route
Use the official DC Courts search guide or the eAccess system directly.
Search with exact details
For common names, use case number or PDID where possible so you do not confuse two people with similar names.
Verify before relying
If the result affects employment, housing, licensing, immigration, benefits or legal filing, contact the court division or request official copies.
DC Court of Appeals Case Search: C-Track, Dockets and Public Filings
Use the District of Columbia Court of Appeals C-Track system for appeal dockets. The Court of Appeals page lists the Historic Courthouse at 430 E Street NW, with Public Office Room 115 and public-office hours listed as Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Use C-Track for
- Appellate docket lookup
- Appeal case number search
- Docket entries and case status
- Available briefs or orders where public access is allowed
Appeals contact help
Public Office: 430 E Street NW, Room 115, Washington, DC 20001.
Phone: 202-879-2700.
Email: fileroom@dcappeals.gov.
Federal DC Court Records: PACER and U.S. District Court Records
Federal court records for the District of Columbia are separate from DC Superior Court records. PACER provides access to federal appellate, district and bankruptcy court case and docket information. The U.S. District Court for DC also provides records guidance, archived-record instructions and fee information.
| Federal need | Use this | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Recent federal docket | PACER | PACER rules and fees may apply. Save case and document numbers. |
| Federal certified copy | Federal fee schedule | The federal fee schedule lists document certification at $12 per document plus copying cost. |
| Older archived record | Federal court records page | Archived records may need to be ordered from the Federal Records Center and can take several business days. |
| Federal courthouse visit | U.S. District Court for DC | Federal court office hours are separate from DC Courts hours. |
How to Get Official or Certified DC Court Records
Online case search helps you locate a docket. It does not automatically give you the official record accepted by an agency, court, school, employer, immigration office, title company or attorney. Ask for the exact copy type before paying.
Confirm the court and division
Know whether the record is Superior Court civil, criminal, family, probate, appeals, federal or MPD police-clearance related.
Prepare exact details
Write the case number, party names, document title, filing date, judgment date and what the receiving agency asked for.
Ask the right copy question
Plain copy, certified copy, true seal, triple seal, exemplification, transcript and police clearance are different.
Use official copy routes
For probate, use the official probate copy-request form. For family/divorce copies, use Family Court certified-copy contact. For federal copies, use the federal Clerk’s Office records route.
Save receipt and confirmation
Keep request emails, staff instructions, receipt, payee name, payment date, case number and tracking details.
Probate copies
DC Courts provides a case-information copy request form for probate documents.
Open Probate Copy FormFamily / divorce copies
Family Court copy requests can use FamilyCourtCertifiedCopies@dcsc.gov or 202-879-1212.
Open Domestic RelationsMarriage copies
Certified marriage-record copies are handled through the DC Courts marriage-record copy process.
Order Marriage CopyDC Court Records Fees: What May Cost Money?
Starting a public search may be free, but copies, certified copies, true seal copies, record searches, transcripts, federal retrieval, police clearances, filings and appeals may have fees. Always verify the current fee on the official page before payment.
| Item | Official fee example | Verify before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court civil certified copy | Civil fee guidance lists certified copy at $5. | Whether your division uses that fee and whether page-copy fees apply. |
| Superior Court photocopy | Civil and family fee guidance lists photocopy at $0.50 per page. | Page count, division, delivery method and copy type. |
| Superior Court record search | Civil fee guidance lists record search per name at $10. | Search scope and whether a case number avoids extra search work. |
| Marriage certified copy | Family fee guidance lists certified copy of a marriage license at $10. | Current Marriage Bureau copy process and payment instructions. |
| Federal document certification | Federal fee schedule lists document certification at $12 plus copying cost. | PACER, Clerk’s Office, archive retrieval and page-copy costs. |
| Federal name search | Federal fee schedule lists name searches at $34 per name or item searched. | Whether you can search PACER yourself first. |
Checklist Before Visiting a DC Court Records Office
A short call before visiting can save a wasted trip. DC court buildings have different offices, rooms, hours and copy rules.
Bring details
- Case number
- Party names
- Document title
- Case type
- Judgment or filing date
Bring proof
- Photo ID
- Agency letter if you have one
- Copy request instructions
- Payment method
- Self-addressed envelope if asked
Ask first
- Which room handles it?
- What is the fee?
- Certified or plain copy?
- Can it be emailed?
- How long will it take?
DC Court Records Phone Numbers, Offices and What to Ask
Use the office that matches your case type. Keep the case number and document name ready. If the record is urgent, say why and ask the staff member which official route is fastest.
| Office | Address | Phone / email | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Courts general information | Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-879-1010 | General routing, directions and court information. |
| Superior Court eAccess help | Online eAccess support route | 202-879-1700 | eAccess system assistance. |
| Family Court / certified copies | Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-879-1212; FamilyCourtCertifiedCopies@dcsc.gov | Divorce, family records and family certified-copy questions. |
| Family Self-Help Center | Moultrie Courthouse, Room JM-570 | 202-879-0096 | General legal information for people without attorneys in family matters. |
| Court of Appeals Public Office | Historic Courthouse, 430 E Street NW, Room 115 | 202-879-2700; fileroom@dcappeals.gov | Appeal docket verification and appellate-record questions. |
| Federal U.S. District Court for DC | 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-354-3000; records@dcd.uscourts.gov for records questions | Federal court records, PACER, archived records and federal certified copies. |
DC Court Records Location Help and Map
The main DC Superior Court location is the Moultrie Courthouse at 500 Indiana Avenue NW. The Court of Appeals Public Office is at the Historic Courthouse, 430 E Street NW. The federal court is separate at 333 Constitution Avenue NW.
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue NW. Use for many Superior Court offices and case divisions.
Open mapDC Court Record Not Found? Fix the Search This Way
Wrong system
Portal, eAccess, C-Track, PACER and MPD serve different record types. Switch systems before assuming no record exists.
Name mismatch
Try last name only, business name, maiden name, initials, hyphenated spelling or case number.
Criminal citation
DC Courts says criminal citation cases are not available in eAccess. Ask the police district that issued the citation.
Restricted record
Sealed, expunged, juvenile, adoption, protected and confidential matters may not be public online.
Federal case
If the case is federal, use PACER or the U.S. District Court records page, not DC Superior Court search.
Recent update
Online systems can update quickly, but recent entries, quality review or data issues can still cause delays or errors.
Common DC Court Records Mistakes and Failed Visit Warnings
| Mistake | Why it causes problems | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Using eAccess for a landlord-tenant case | Landlord-tenant belongs in the civil/Portal path, not criminal eAccess. | Use Portal or the Superior Court case-search guide. |
| Treating a docket as certified proof | Online docket pages are not always accepted as official copies. | Ask the division for certified, true seal or official copy instructions. |
| Searching DC Courts for a federal case | Federal records are separate from local DC Superior Court records. | Use PACER or federal Clerk’s Office guidance. |
| Going to court without case details | Staff may not be able to locate the record quickly. | Bring case number, names, case type, document title and ID. |
| Paying private record sites first | Private reports may be outdated, incomplete or not certified. | Start with official DC Courts, MPD, PACER or federal court pages. |
After You Find a DC Court Record
Save the record details immediately. Then decide whether a simple docket view is enough or whether you need official copies.
Save this
- Case number
- Party names
- Court and division
- Hearing date
- Disposition or judgment
- Document title
Ask this
- Is this record public?
- Can I get a certified copy?
- What fee applies?
- Can I request by email?
- How long will it take?
Do not skip this
- Verify sealed status
- Confirm latest docket entry
- Check deadlines
- Save receipts
- Keep confirmation numbers
Scam, Privacy and Misuse Warning for DC Court Records
Search engines may show private “instant public record” ads above official sources. Some private reports are incomplete, stale or not usable for official purposes. Always start with official DC Courts, MPD, PACER or federal court resources.
DC Court Records: Short Answer for Google, Bing, Copilot and AI Search
DC court records are searched by court type. Use DC Superior Court Portal for many civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, tax, auditor-master and probate records. Use eAccess for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence dockets. Use DC Court of Appeals C-Track for appeals. Use PACER or the U.S. District Court for federal DC cases. Use MPD for police clearances. For official or certified copies, contact the division or court office handling the case.
Official DC Court Records Links
Use these official links only after you know the correct record type. They are placed here as verification and final-action sources, not as a link dump.
DC Courts Search Cases
Main official guide for choosing Superior Court or Court of Appeals search tools.
Open Search CasesSuperior Court Case Search
Official explanation of Portal and eAccess case-type coverage.
Open Superior SearchPortal
Use for many civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master and probate records.
Open PortalC-Track Appeals
Use for DC Court of Appeals docket search and public filing access where allowed.
Open C-TrackFederal Court Records
Use for U.S. District Court for DC records, PACER and archived federal records.
Open Federal RecordsMPD Police Clearances
Use for police clearances and arrest/criminal history requests.
Open MPD ClearancesDC Courts Payment Help
Use for fees, fines, costs and payee guidance before mailing or paying.
Open Payment HelpDC Court Records FAQs
How do I search DC court records online for free?
Start with the official DC Courts Search Cases page. Use Portal for many civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master and probate records. Use eAccess for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence records. Use C-Track for DC Court of Appeals cases.
What is the difference between Portal and eAccess?
Portal is used for many DC Superior Court civil, landlord-tenant, small claims, civil tax, auditor-master and probate records. eAccess is used for criminal, criminal tax and domestic violence case types.
Can I search DC court records by name?
Yes, but first choose the correct system. Search Portal, eAccess, C-Track or PACER depending on the case type. Try exact name, last name only, business name, alternate spelling and case number if available.
Are DC court records public?
Many docket records are public, but not every case or document is available online. Sealed, expunged, juvenile, adoption, protected, restricted and confidential records may not be publicly searchable.
How do I find a DC criminal case?
Use DC Superior Court eAccess for criminal docket information. You may need a case number, full defendant name or Police Department Identification number. For police clearances or arrest history, use MPD.
How do I find DC civil or landlord-tenant court records?
Use DC Superior Court Portal for many civil records, including landlord-tenant and small claims cases. Search by party name, business name, case number or available filters.
Are criminal citation cases in eAccess?
DC Courts says criminal citation cases are not available in eAccess. Contact the police district that issued the citation if you need the court date for a criminal citation.
How do I search DC Court of Appeals records?
Use the DC Court of Appeals C-Track public case search. For verification, contact the Court of Appeals Public Office at 202-879-2700 or fileroom@dcappeals.gov.
Are federal DC court records in the same system?
No. Federal records from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia are searched through PACER, courthouse public terminals or the federal Clerk’s Office records process.
How do I get certified copies of DC court records?
Contact the clerk’s office or court division that handles the case. Ask whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, true seal copy, triple seal, exemplification or transcript before paying.
Is a DC court docket the same as a police clearance?
No. A court docket shows court activity. A police clearance or arrest/criminal history request is handled through the Metropolitan Police Department.
Why can’t I find a DC court case online?
The case may be in the wrong system, federal court, Court of Appeals, MPD records, a recent entry, sealed, expunged, juvenile, restricted, spelled differently or not available online. Try another official system or call the court division.
Best Next Step for DC Court Records
Start with DC Courts Search Cases, then choose the right system: Portal for civil/probate-style records, eAccess for criminal/domestic violence records, C-Track for appeals, PACER for federal cases and MPD for police clearances. If the record will be used officially, contact the division handling the case and request the correct certified or official copy.
Official-source check completed July 14, 2026. Court search systems, public-access rules, fees, hours, record-copy instructions and payment guidance can change. Verify directly with DC Courts, MPD, PACER or the federal court before relying on a record.