Registering and Searching RecordsRegistering and Searching Records
PACER Fees and CostsPACER Fees and Costs
Accessing Older Case RecordsAccessing Older Case Records
Pacer: Find Court Records
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worldlawyersai
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PACER, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system, provides online access to federal court documents, allowing users to search and retrieve case information from appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts across the United States.
What is PACER?
PACER serves as a comprehensive electronic gateway to federal court records, offering users the ability to view, download, and print case and docket information12. This web-based system, accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a PACER account, covers a wide range of federal courts, including appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts23. The service also provides access to the U.S. Party/Case Index, a valuable tool for locating cases across multiple jurisdictions4. PACER's functionality extends beyond basic record retrieval, as it includes the PACER Case Locator (PCL), a national index that serves as a powerful search tool for users seeking specific case information across various federal courts5.
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Registering and Searching Records
To access court records through PACER, users must first register for a free account on the official PACER website1. Once registered, there are two primary search methods available:
The PACER Case Locator (PCL): A national index that allows users to search for cases across all federal courts2.
Individual court websites: For real-time access to specific court records3.
After logging in, users can conduct searches using various criteria such as party names, case numbers, or other relevant information4. The system provides 24/7 access to view, download, or print desired court documents, making it a convenient tool for legal professionals, researchers, and members of the public seeking federal court information56.
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PACER Fees and Costs
PACER operates on a pay-per-view model, charging users $0.10 per page of court records accessed, with a cap of $3.00 per document (excluding transcripts)1. This fee structure applies to viewing, downloading, or printing case information. To promote accessibility, PACER waives fees for users whose quarterly usage does not exceed $302. The system's pricing model aims to balance public access with the costs of maintaining and operating the electronic records service. Users should be aware that while registration is free, accessing most documents incurs charges, making it important to carefully manage searches to control costs.
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Accessing Older Case Records
For cases filed before 1999, accessing records through PACER may not be possible as they might not be digitized. In such instances, researchers may need to contact the specific court or the Federal Records Center directly to access paper files12. This limitation highlights the transition period between paper-based and electronic record-keeping in the federal court system. Users should be prepared for potentially longer processing times and different retrieval methods when seeking older case information.
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Related
How far back can I access case records on PACER
Are there any restrictions on accessing older case records
Can I access sealed or confidential case records through PACER
What types of documents are available for older cases on PACER