How to Look Up Federal Court Records: A Complete Guide

This guide explains how to access federal court records and conduct a US federal court case search, including both electronic and paper records.

Federal court records include complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and other filings generated during proceedings in the US federal court system. The system consists of 94 district trial courts, 90 bankruptcy courts, 13 appellate courts, and the US Supreme Court.

Federal courts hear a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, and bankruptcy matters. These may involve constitutional questions, federal laws, US government policies, and disputes between parties that reside in different states and the claim exceeds certain dollar thresholds.

Records from federal court proceedings are available to the public, unless a judge issues a court order to seal them. Due to their accessibility, federal court records are valuable resources for legal research, due diligence, personal interest, and background checks.

With written candidate consent, employers can conduct a federal background check to help assess whether a candidate is suitable for a position. Individuals may also want to run a background check on themselves to see what employers might see during their own federal records search. Checkr’s background screening solutions include federal court record searches and are available for both employers and individuals.

You can access most federal court records online through three primary sources: Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database, CourtListener, and commercial docket services. Here's a look at each source, when to use it, and its limitations and costs:

CourtListener is a free, open-access platform that aggregates federal court documents, often uploaded by users through the RECAP browser extension.

Commercial docket services providers, such as Bloomberg Law, LexisNexis, and Westlaw, offer advanced search capabilities, robust analytics, and case tracking for federal case research.

Follow these steps to use the official PACER database for a federal court lookup:

Before you can begin using PACER, you’ll need to create an account. Visit the PACER registration page and choose an account type. Select “Individual” for personal use or "Institutional" for law firms, organizations, and agencies.

Complete the registration form with your contact and billing information, then confirm your email and set up your password.

Now that you have an account, sign in at the PACER login page and select “PACER Case Locator (PCL)” for nationwide searches. You can search by party name, case number, or court location.

When searching by name, enter the party’s full name for accuracy. If your initial searches are unsuccessful, try different variations and check your spelling. If your search yields too many results, use filters to narrow down the options by date or court location.

Identifying which court handled the case will expedite your federal records search. Federal courts are organized by district and circuit, so geographic location can provide some clues as to which court to approach. Use the US Courts locator tool to find federal courts by address or zip code.

Case type also matters. District courts handle trials, while appellate courts hear appeals. If you’re looking for bankruptcy case records, focus on bankruptcy courts.

If you don’t know which court handled the case, use the PACER case locator, which has nationwide coverage. Begin with broad terms and then narrow your search by date, location, or case type. For example, when conducting a federal criminal case search, use the defendant's full name, then refine by date and location.

Whether your search is court-specific or broad, entering the party name or case number is a good starting point. Follow these tips for best results:

Once you locate the correct case, open the document. It provides a complete listing of all filings and actions in a case.

Look for key documents, such as complaints, motions, orders, and judgments. The document descriptions can help you determine what filings and actions are most relevant. To manage PACER costs, only select and download the documents you need.

When a federal records search involves older records that aren't digitized, you’ll need to access paper files through the court clerk or a record center. Here’s how:

Each federal court has a clerk’s office that can assist with a federal court case lookup involving paper records. You can find the contact information on the court’s official website. Use the US Courts locator tool to identify the appropriate court.

The process for requesting federal court records varies by court. Typically, you'll need to provide the case number, party names, and filing dates—some courts may require a specific form to make your records request. Records may be viewed in person or copied for a fee.

After a set period determined by the court and case type, older federal court records are transferred to the National Archives and its federal records centers. To locate these records, start with the National Archives court records locator to determine which center houses them.

Once you locate the records, submit a request online or by mail. Fees may apply and are disclosed at the time of your request. Processing usually takes several days to a few weeks.

Most federal records search methods involve fees, but some free options are available. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with various federal court case lookup solutions.

You can access federal court records through PACER, free online archives, commercial services, or in person at courthouses and archives. However, manual searches can be time-consuming, complex, and inconsistent. Plus, downloading and printing lengthy court documents can become expensive.

Checkr makes the process faster and easier with a platform that automates federal court record searches—giving you reliable federal case results without hassle or hidden costs.

Start streamlining your federal court record searches with Checkr's background check platform. Sign up today.

About the author

Hayley Harrison writes about a wide range of business topics and best practices, including background checks, candidate experience, and recruitment and retention. Her work includes educational articles, e-books, and blog posts.