Legal Research

The typical search fee is $26.00 per item (one party name or case number). Copy fee is $.50 per page. Certification fee is $9.00 per document; double for exemplification, if available. Most courts require prepayment. Mail requests should enclose a SASE unless otherwise noted. Before releasing records, most courts require prepayment.

District courts index by defendant and plaintiff and by case number. Bankruptcy courts usually index by debtor and case number. While most courts now have their indexes on computer, many may still maintain index card files as well. Courts will archive closed case files at different times.

There are numerous public access programs available to online subscribers. Search the U.S. Party/Case Index to find party names and case numbers among all courts. Individual case data is provided on PACER. A search of CM/ECF provides copies of cases filed electronically. For details about PACER, the US Party/Case Index, and CM/ECF see the Appendix or go to http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov or call 800-676-6856.

  excerpt from The Sourcebook to Public Record Information