The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To find a federal civil case, search the filing court through PACER if you know the court or case number. If you do not know the court, use the PACER Case Locator to identify it, then search that court’s PACER system for the latest docket activity. Read the docket as an index, and open the actual filing or court order before deciding what it means.
Find the case using the right search route
PACER is the federal courts’ online service for public access to case records. The PACER Case Locator searches a nationwide index of district, bankruptcy and appellate cases. Once you identify the filing court, that court’s PACER system is the better place to check current activity: the locator says court data is transferred nightly and directs users to the filing court for real-time filings.
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| Route | Best for | Timing and access | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| PACER Case Locator | Finding a case when you do not know which federal court handled it | Its data transfers nightly; use the filing court for real-time activity | Search results are billable; name searches are not covered by the per-document cap |
| Filing court’s PACER search | Opening a case when you know the court, especially to check recent activity | Access remains subject to court and case restrictions | $0.10 per page; most documents and case-specific reports are capped at $3 |
| Federal courthouse public terminal | Viewing case information at the courthouse | Use the courthouse for the court where the case was filed; local entry rules may apply | PACER identifies courthouse access as free |
| PACER opinion access | Retrieving court opinions | Opinions are available through PACER | Free |
If you know the court or case number
Search the court where the lawsuit was filed. When you have the case number, use it rather than a broad party-name search; PACER says this can take you directly to the case and reduce search-result pages.
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If you know a party name but not the court
Start with the PACER Case Locator to find the court and case number, then search the filing court’s system for the docket and current filings. Check spelling and try known alternate party names if the first search does not find the case. A public lookup is not a guarantee that every case will appear.
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If the case does not appear
PACER advises contacting the federal court where you believe the case was filed if you cannot find the party through the locator. A court clerk can explain procedural access options, but cannot advise you about the legal meaning of a filing or its effect on a party’s rights.
Read the docket before drawing conclusions
A federal case file contains a docket sheet and documents filed in the case. The docket sheet is a chronological index of court activity: it helps you locate an entry, but its short description is not a substitute for the underlying filing or order.
- Find the relevant date and docket-entry number.
- Read the entry description to identify the type of activity and any linked document.
- Open the document, when available, and check its title, who filed it, and what it asks the court to do—or what the court decided.
- Read relevant exhibits and later orders that address the filing before treating the entry as the final word on the issue.
Distinguish a party’s request from a court’s decision
A motion is generally a party’s request for the court to take an action. A docket entry noting that a motion was filed does not establish that the court granted it. Look for the court’s later order or judgment to see what happened. The precise effect of an entry depends on the actual record and applicable court rules.
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Understand PACER charges and free access options
PACER’s pricing page, accessed in 2026, lists access at $0.10 per page. Most documents and case-specific reports, including docket reports, are capped at $3 per item. Fees are waived for an account that accrues $30 or less in a calendar quarter. Name-search results, non-case-specific reports and transcripts are exceptions to the usual cap.
- Use a case number instead of a broad name search when possible.
- Limit a docket report to a date range if you do not need the full case history.
- Check the page count and displayed cost before opening a document.
Other no-cost routes include court opinions on PACER and viewing case information at a federal courthouse public terminal. Parties and attorneys of record may receive one free electronic copy of a filing through a notice when the notice conditions apply. A fee exemption may also be requested from the court; the process depends on the court.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know why a filing may not be publicly viewable
Most federal case files are available through PACER, but public access is not unlimited. Sealed documents are not available to the public on PACER. Some categories of cases have special limits on remote access by nonparties, and courts may further restrict access by order. Personal information may also be redacted before a document is filed.
A docket entry can therefore show that an item exists without making its document available online. If a document is missing or marked sealed or restricted, check the court-specific docket and contact the clerk’s office for information about the court’s access procedures.
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