Court Electronic Records Search, PACER Access and Official Public Case Lookup Help
Use official court electronic records systems to search public case information, find a case number, check docket activity, understand PACER, avoid fake paid record sites, request certified copies, and know when a state, county, municipal, federal or courthouse-only record path is required.
If you are searching for to court electronic court records, the real goal is usually simple: find the correct official court portal before paying a third-party website. Electronic court records can be federal, state, county, municipal, appellate, bankruptcy, traffic, probate, family, criminal or civil records, and each system may use different access rules.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for federal PACER, state portals, county clerks, certified copies, dockets, criminal, civil, family, probate and sealed-record questions.
🇺🇸 Federal PACER records — search federal cases and dockets
Use this for: federal district court, bankruptcy court and federal appellate case records.
Best official path: register for PACER, search the court where the case was filed, or use the PACER Case Locator if you do not know the court.
Before searching: PACER can charge access fees, so use exact case details to avoid unnecessary searches.
Electronic Court Records Quick Facts Before You Search
Electronic court records are court case records stored or viewed in electronic form. They can include docket entries, register of actions, case summaries, party names, filings, orders, judgments, briefs, hearing dates and sometimes downloadable documents. But not every court file is online, not every online result is free, and not every public case document can be viewed remotely.
The correct system depends on the court. Federal cases generally use PACER. State trial court records usually use state or local court portals. County records may be held by a clerk of court, county clerk, district clerk, superior court clerk, circuit clerk or court administrator. Traffic, juvenile, family, probate, mental health, adoption and sealed records often have extra restrictions.
What This Court Electronic Records Guide Covers
What Are Court Electronic Court Records?
Electronic court records are court case records kept, indexed or viewed through electronic systems. A court may store a record in paper format, electronic format or both. When a record is electronic, users may be able to view case information on a court computer, public terminal, online portal, statewide system, county clerk website or federal PACER account.
Common electronic court records include case numbers, party names, case type, filing date, court location, docket events, register of actions, hearing dates, orders, judgments, motions, briefs, notices and case status. Some systems show only an index. Some systems show docket entries. Some allow document purchase or download. Some require registration, identity verification or attorney access.
The biggest mistake is assuming that one website has every court record. In the United States, court records are divided by court level and jurisdiction. Federal records are separate from state records. State records are separate from county and municipal records. Some records are searchable online, while others require a courthouse visit or clerk request.
Usually shows basic case information such as case number, court, party names, filing date and case type.
Shows case activity, filings, hearings, orders and events, but may not provide every document image.
Can include complaints, motions, judgments, orders, briefs and notices, but access rules vary by court.
Official copies used for legal proof usually come from the court clerk, not a screenshot or private report.
PACER Public Access to Court Electronic Records
PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. It is the official federal system for electronic public access to federal court records. PACER is used for U.S. district courts, U.S. bankruptcy courts and U.S. courts of appeals. If a case is federal, PACER is usually the right starting point.
PACER users can search for a case in the federal court where the case was filed, or use the PACER Case Locator to search a nationwide index of federal court cases. Anyone can access PACER, but users generally need to register for an account first. Federal case information is available online, but PACER can charge fees for access.
Register for a PACER account
Use the official PACER registration page. Choose a case-search-only account if you only need to search federal court records.
Search the correct federal court
If you know the district, bankruptcy court or appellate court, search that court directly to reduce wrong results and fees.
Use PACER Case Locator if the court is unknown
If you do not know where the federal case was filed, use the national index through PACER Case Locator.
Download only what you need
PACER may charge access fees. Open docket sheets and documents carefully, especially when searching common names.
State Court Electronic Records and Public Case Search Portals
Every state has its own court structure and record access rules. Some states offer a statewide case search. Some states rely on county court websites. Some courts provide remote access to civil records but limit criminal, family or juvenile documents. Some require courthouse terminals for records that cannot be viewed remotely.
State court electronic records can include trial court cases, appellate cases, family cases, probate matters, traffic cases, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal records and civil lawsuits. But the public may not see every record. Laws, court rules and court orders can make some cases or documents confidential.
State Rules Control Access
Remote access, document availability, fees and confidential case rules depend on the state court system.
Check official state courtCourthouse Access May Differ
Some records may be viewable on a courthouse computer even when remote online access is limited.
Remote is not always fullCounty Court Electronic Records, Clerk Portals and Local Case Search
Many users searching court electronic court records actually need a county court or clerk portal. County-level records may be handled by a superior court clerk, circuit clerk, district clerk, county clerk, clerk of court, register of actions office, probate court, magistrate court or municipal court depending on the state.
County court portals are often the right place for local civil lawsuits, county criminal cases, probate files, divorce decrees, small claims, landlord-tenant records, traffic cases and local judgments. The official county court site or clerk site should be checked before using a private background-check website.
Use county court records when you need:
- A county civil lawsuit, judgment, small claims case or landlord-tenant record.
- A local criminal case filed in county, circuit, district or superior court.
- A divorce decree, family court order or custody case record.
- A probate estate, guardianship, conservatorship or will-related court file.
- A traffic, municipal or local ordinance case filed in a local court.
- Certified copies from the clerk that keeps the official file.
How to Search Court Electronic Court Records Online
A smart court-record search starts with the court that actually filed the case. Searching a broad website with only a name can create false matches. Before searching, collect the case number, party names, filing county, court name, state, filing year, case type and whether the matter is federal or state.
Identify the court system
Decide whether the case is federal, state, county, municipal, appellate, bankruptcy, probate, family, traffic or criminal. The system controls the portal.
Use the official court or clerk website first
Search the official government court site before using private search engines, people-search sites or background-check pages.
Search by case number when possible
A case number is safer than a name search. It reduces false matches and helps the clerk find the exact file.
Confirm party names, court and case type
Do not rely on a name match alone. Verify court location, filing date, case type, docket status and party role.
Request copies from the official custodian
If you need the record for official use, request a certified copy from the clerk or court office that keeps the official file.
Court Dockets, Register of Actions, Filings and Case Documents
A docket or register of actions is not always the same as the full case file. A docket usually lists case events: complaint filed, answer filed, motion filed, hearing scheduled, order entered, judgment entered, notice mailed and similar activity. It may or may not include PDF documents.
Some courts allow users to download documents from the docket. Other courts show only the docket entry and require a copy request. Some systems charge per page, per document, per search or per certified copy. Some records can be viewed only at courthouse terminals.
Best for seeing case activity and understanding what happened in the case.
Best when you need the actual complaint, order, motion, judgment, brief or filing.
Common in some state courts and counties as a case activity index.
Best when a court, agency, employer, school or legal process requires official proof.
How to Request Copies or Certified Electronic Court Records
Electronic access is useful for searching, but official proof often requires a certified copy. A certified copy usually includes a court clerk certification showing that the document is a true copy of the official record. A screenshot, printout or private database result is not always accepted.
To request copies, identify the exact court, case number, party names, document title and whether you need regular copies or certified copies. Ask about fees, mailing, email delivery, pickup options, payment methods and processing time.
Useful for personal review, research or informal reference when official proof is not required.
Useful for legal filings, agencies, immigration, licensing, name changes, probate, divorce proof and official verification.
A hearing transcript is usually requested from a court reporter or transcript office, not from the normal docket search.
Older records may require storage retrieval, archive search or in-person courthouse help.
Free vs Paid Electronic Court Records Search
Many official court websites allow free searches of basic case information. But document access, certified copies, paper copies, transcripts, archive retrieval and PACER downloads may cost money. Private websites may also charge, but paying a private site does not make the record more official.
Use the official portal first. If the official portal charges a fee, check what the fee covers. Is it a search fee, document fee, certification fee, mail fee, subscription fee or transcript fee? A clear official fee is better than a private report that may mix court records with unrelated public-record data.
Free Search May Be Enough
Basic case lookup may be enough when you only need the court, case number, case type or hearing date.
Start officialPaid Copies May Be Needed
Certified copies, transcripts, archived files and PACER documents may require official fees.
Verify before payingSealed, Confidential, Juvenile and Restricted Electronic Court Records
Not all electronic court records are public. Some records are sealed by court order. Some are confidential by law. Some are partly public, with certain documents hidden or redacted. Some records are viewable by parties or attorneys but not by the general public.
Restricted access is common in juvenile, adoption, mental health, family, domestic violence, protective order, guardianship, conservatorship, sealed criminal, sealed civil and sensitive personal-information cases. If a record does not appear online, do not assume it does not exist.
Records that may be restricted
- Juvenile court records and dependency matters.
- Adoption records and sealed family records.
- Mental health, guardianship and conservatorship records.
- Protective order and domestic violence records with safety concerns.
- Sealed criminal cases, expunged cases or restricted disposition records.
- Documents containing Social Security numbers, medical records, financial account data or protected addresses.
- Exhibits, transcripts, search warrants or confidential filings restricted by court order.
Electronic Court Records Portal Confusion and Fake Lookup Sites
Search results often show private background-check sites above official court pages. These sites may use words like “court records,” “public records,” “instant search” or “free lookup,” but they may not be official court custodians. Some reports can be outdated, incomplete, mixed with other people, or missing final dispositions.
The safe path is to identify the court first, then use that court’s official record portal. For federal cases, use PACER. For state cases, use the state judiciary or official local court site. For county records, use the clerk or court office that keeps the record. For certified copies, use the official custodian.
Official Electronic Court Records Links
Use these official resources to understand federal electronic court records, PACER access, federal fees, state court electronic access, courthouse access and public-record limits.
PACER
Official federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records system for district, bankruptcy and appellate courts.
Open PACERPACER Find a Case
Official page explaining how to search federal court records and use the PACER Case Locator.
Find a Federal CasePACER Registration
Register for a case-search-only account or attorney filing access when needed.
Register for PACERPACER Pricing
Official guidance explaining PACER fees, page charges and access costs.
Open PACER PricingU.S. Courts Fee Schedule
Official federal electronic public access fee schedule and exemptions information.
Open Fee ScheduleCalifornia Electronic Records
Official California Courts guidance explaining who can view electronic case records and where access may be limited.
Open CA GuidanceCalifornia Public Records
Official California Courts public records page for court records and access basics.
Open Public RecordsElectronic Access Rule
California Rule of Court example showing that electronic access may be controlled by law and case-by-case rules.
Open Rule 2.503National Center for State Courts
Nonprofit court resource organization with court technology and access resources for state courts.
Open NCSCMap for Finding the Correct Courthouse or Court Records Office
Electronic court records may start online, but official copies, sealed-record questions, old files, transcripts and certified records may require the courthouse or clerk office. Use the court name shown on your case notice, docket, ticket, summons or filing before visiting a courthouse.
Search for courthouse records near you
This map is a general courthouse search. It does not identify which court holds a specific case file.
Court Electronic Court Records FAQs
What are court electronic court records?
They are court case records kept, indexed or viewed electronically. They may include case numbers, docket entries, register of actions, filings, orders, judgments, hearing dates and sometimes downloadable documents.
Are electronic court records free to search?
Sometimes. Many official court portals allow free case index or docket searches, but document downloads, certified copies, transcripts, archived files and PACER access may cost money.
What is PACER?
PACER is the official federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. It is used for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate court records.
Can I search all U.S. court records in one website?
No. Federal, state, county, municipal, traffic, probate, family and appellate court records are divided by jurisdiction. You need the correct official portal or clerk office.
What is the difference between a docket and a court document?
A docket lists case activity and filings. A court document is the actual filing, order, complaint, judgment, motion or brief. Some systems show dockets without document images.
How do I get certified electronic court records?
Find the court that holds the case, confirm the case number, then request a certified copy from the clerk or official records office. A screenshot or private report is usually not a certified record.
Why can’t I find a court record online?
The record may be sealed, restricted, confidential, too old, in a different court, federal instead of state, municipal instead of county, or not available for remote public access.
Are criminal court records electronic?
Many criminal records are indexed electronically, but access varies by court and case type. Sealed, expunged, juvenile, confidential or restricted criminal records may not be publicly visible.
Are divorce and family court records available online?
Some family case information may be searchable, but divorce, custody, child support and domestic records often have privacy restrictions. Certified decrees usually come from the court clerk.
Do private court record websites have official records?
They may collect public information, but they are not usually the official custodian. For accuracy, use official court websites, clerk offices, PACER or certified copies.
Is remote access the same as courthouse access?
No. Some records may be viewable at courthouse terminals but not remotely online. Court rules and privacy laws can limit remote access.
What should I search first: name or case number?
Use the case number first if you have it. A name search can return false matches, especially with common names or records from multiple counties.
Bottom Line for Court Electronic Court Records Search
For federal cases, start with PACER. For state and county cases, start with the official state judiciary, local court, or clerk of court website. For official proof, request certified copies from the court that holds the file. Do not rely on private search results when accuracy matters.
Electronic records are helpful, but they are not unlimited. Some records are free to search, some cost money, some require courthouse access, and some are sealed or confidential. The best search is not the broadest search — it is the correct official portal for the correct court.