How to Get Certified Court Records

Before requesting court records, you need to identify which court has the documents:

Types of Courts:

• Federal District Courts (federal crimes, constitutional matters, bankruptcy)

• State Supreme/Appellate Courts (appeals, constitutional matters)

• State Superior/Circuit Courts (felonies, major civil cases)

• County Courts (misdemeanors, small claims, probate)

• Municipal/City Courts (traffic, ordinance violations)

Information You'll Need:

• Case number (if known)

• Names of parties involved

• Approximate date of filing or case

• Type of case (civil, criminal, family, probate)

• County and state where case was filed

If you don't have the case number, you'll need to perform a case search first.

Many courts offer online case search systems:

Federal Courts (PACER):

• Public Access to Court Electronic Records

• Covers all federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts

• Requires account registration

• $0.10 per page (capped at $3 per document)

• Access at pacer.uscourts.gov

State Court Systems:

• Most states have statewide case search portals

• Search by party name, case number, or attorney

• Some records are free to view; certified copies cost extra

County Court Websites:

• Many offer free docket searches

• Document viewing may require in-person visit

• Check the court clerk's website for your jurisdiction

Court cases generate many types of documents. Be specific about what you need:

Common Court Record Types:

• Complaint or petition (initiating document)

• Answer or response

• Motions and orders

• Depositions and discovery

• Trial transcripts

• Judgment or final order

• Satisfaction of judgment

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies:

• Certified copies bear the court seal and clerk signature

• Required for legal proceedings, official use

• Higher cost than plain copies

• Uncertified copies work for informational purposes

Sealed or Confidential Records:

• Some records are not publicly accessible

• Juvenile, adoption, mental health records are often sealed

• May require court order to access

Courts have different procedures for requesting records:

Online Ordering (Where Available):

• Download directly from PACER or state court portal

• Pay with credit card

• Receive documents immediately or within hours

Written Request:

• Complete court's record request form

• Include case number, document description, number of copies

• Specify certified or uncertified

• Include return envelope if requesting by mail

In-Person Request:

• Visit court clerk's office during business hours

• Bring ID and case information

• Pay by cash, check, or card (varies by court)

Request Forms Often Require:

• Your name and contact information

• Relationship to the case (party, attorney, public)

• Purpose of request (some courts ask this)

Court record fees vary significantly by jurisdiction:

Typical Fee Ranges:

• Uncertified copies: $0.25-$1.00 per page

• Certified copies: $5-$25 per document plus per-page fees

• Search fees: $5-$25 per name searched

• Exemplified copies: $15-$50 (for out-of-state use)

Federal Court (PACER) Fees:

• $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document

• Audio recordings: $2.40 per file

• Quarterly fee waiver if under $30

Payment Methods:

• Most courts accept cash, check, money order

• Credit/debit cards increasingly accepted

• Prepayment often required for mail requests

Fee waivers may be available for parties in the case who demonstrate financial hardship.

Processing times depend on the court and request method:

Typical Turnaround Times:

• Online/PACER downloads: Immediate

• In-person counter copies: Same day

• Mail requests: 1-3 weeks

• Certified copies: 3-10 business days

• Transcript requests: 2-6 weeks (longer for lengthy trials)

Rush Processing:

• Many courts offer expedited service for additional fee

• Same-day or next-day certified copies may be available

• Contact court clerk to inquire about rush options

Delivery Options:

• Mail (standard or certified)

• In-person pickup

• Email/electronic delivery (limited availability)

• Fax (some courts, usually at additional cost)