Court Records Access
Access Court Records
Find where to search court case indexes and dockets online, and when to request files or certified copies from the clerk for civil, criminal, traffic, or probate matters.
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Court Records
Case Lookup
Dockets
Certified Copies
Page Guide:
Quick Overview
find dockets and request case files
First Source
Start with the court that handled the case: the trial or appellate court portal or the clerk’s office for that court.
Commonly Online
Case summaries, party names, docket entries, hearing dates, calendars, and dispositions; some orders or opinions may be downloadable.
Request Needed
Full case files, older archives, exhibits, and restricted materials typically require a records request to the clerk and an identity or case match.
Certified Copies
Order from the clerk of the court that maintains the file; certification usually requires a formal request and processing.
Start Here
- Start with identifying the court level and jurisdiction that heard the case, then use that court’s official portal or clerk channel.
- Check the judiciary’s online case search for docket entries and basic case details before requesting documents.
- Use the appellate court’s opinion or docket system when the matter is on appeal or you need published decisions.
- Search the federal courts’ electronic docket system for federal filings if the case is not state-level.
- Request copies or certifications from the clerk when online portals list the case but not the documents you need.
Record Routing
- Civil case docket → Trial court online case search managed by the clerk of court.
- Criminal case docket → General jurisdiction criminal/circuit/superior court portal or clerk index.
- Traffic or infraction → Limited-jurisdiction/municipal court portal or clerk calendar.
- Probate and estates → Probate division docket via clerk portal; request wills/estate files from the clerk.
- Federal civil or criminal → Federal electronic records system for docket and filings access.
Search Inputs
- Court level (federal/state/trial/appellate)
- Jurisdiction (state/county/district)
- Case or docket number
- Party name (last, first, middle)
- Filing date range
- Attorney or bar number
Source Map
| Where To Check | Best For | How To Search | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official trial court portal or clerk website | Current civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic dockets | Online index and docket search; some document downloads | Most cases begin in trial courts; primary entry point for status, scheduling, and basic filings. |
| Clerk of court records unit | Case files, exhibits, minute orders, and certified copies | In-person counter, mail/online request, or public terminal | The clerk is the official custodian for the case file and certifications. |
| Statewide appellate court system | Appeals dockets, briefs, opinions, and mandates | Online opinions and dockets; some filings downloadable | Appellate materials are maintained separately from trial courts and have distinct indexing. |
| Federal courts electronic records system | Federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy, and appellate dockets | Account-based online search and document retrieval | Federal filings are not in state portals and require the federal judiciary’s system. |
| On-site courthouse public access terminals | Indexes not published online or older archived cases | In-person search at courthouse terminals or archives | Some records are only accessible locally or have limited online availability. |
Practical FAQs
Which source should I check first to access a case?
Begin with the court that heard the matter. Use that court’s online docket or contact the clerk for that court after confirming the court level and jurisdiction.
What is usually available online versus by request?
Portals commonly list case captions, docket entries, calendars, and dispositions. Full files, exhibits, and certified documents typically require a records request to the clerk.
Do I need a case number?
A case or docket number is best. Many portals also support party-name, attorney, or date-range searches; use exact spelling and known dates to narrow results.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a filing or judgment?
Submit a request to the clerk that maintains the file, providing the case identifier and document title. The clerk issues the certification after processing.