PACER
Public access to US federal court dockets, documents, and case filings.
Open the official app on pacer.uscourts.gov
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open pacer.uscourts.gov in a new tab — it's their official demo.
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Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is PACER?
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is a government-run platform that provides public access to federal court records in the United States. It enables users to search, retrieve, and view court documents, case filings, and other legal information from federal courts. The tool is maintained by the U.S. federal judiciary and serves as a centralized repository for legal records, ensuring transparency and accountability in the judicial process. PACER is primarily used by legal professionals, researchers, journalists, and members of the public seeking information about court cases. It addresses the need for efficient access to legal data, reducing the time and effort required to obtain court-related information. By digitizing court records, PACER streamlines the process of legal research and supports informed decision-making for users.
How it works
PACER is a digital service managed by the U.S. federal judiciary that grants public access to court records. It allows users to search for case filings, court opinions, and other legal documents from federal courts nationwide. The platform ensures that legal information is available to the public, supporting transparency in the judicial system. The primary purpose of PACER is to provide secure, reliable access to federal court records. It enables users to retrieve documents such as complaint filings, judgments, and court orders, which are essential for legal research and public oversight of judicial proceedings. PACER allows users to search for cases by court, case number, or party names. It also provides access to court opinions and maintains a national index of legal documents. Users can view documents online or download them for offline reference. Additionally, PACER offers tools for managing accounts, paying fees, and accessing developer resources for integrating with external systems.
How to use it
- 1Open the PACER page
- 2Use the tool directly in your browser
- 3Results appear instantly — no waiting, no downloads
What it can do
- federal court records
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/
- license: Proprietary — free to use
- privacy: Opens an external demo
Limitations
- Access to certain documents may require payment of retrieval fees
- Search functionality is limited to basic filters without advanced Boolean operators
- Some historical records may be incomplete or unavailable due to digitization challenges
- The platform experiences periodic maintenance downtime affecting service availability
- User accounts require verification, restricting immediate access for new users
Understanding the result
Public access to US federal court dockets, documents, and case filings.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (MIT).
- Built with
- (https://pacer.uscourts.gov/)
- License
- MIT
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with https://pacer.uscourts.gov/. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- MIT
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- Proprietary License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
How do I access PACER's court records?
To access PACER, visit the official website and create a free account. After verification, users can search for cases by court, case number, or party names. Documents can be viewed online or downloaded for offline use, though some records may require payment for retrieval.
How does PACER handle document security?
PACER uses HTTPS encryption to protect data in transit and requires users to log in with verified credentials. Sensitive documents are restricted to authorized users, and access is monitored to prevent unauthorized use. However, users must ensure they follow federal guidelines for handling confidential information.
How do I search for a specific case?
Navigate to the 'Search for a Case' section and select either 'Search by Specific Court' or 'Search by National Index.' Enter the court name, case number, or party details. Use the Case Locator tool for advanced options like date ranges or document types. Refine results using filters like jurisdiction or filing date.
How does PACER compare to state court record systems?
PACER specifically serves federal courts and does not include state-level records. State court systems vary widely in their digital accessibility and often require separate access methods. PACER's centralized approach offers uniformity for federal legal research, while state systems may lack standardized interfaces.
What should I do if I encounter a login error?
Verify your username and password for typos. If issues persist, check the PACER maintenance schedule for scheduled downtime. Reset your password through the 'Forgot Username or Password?' link. If problems continue, contact PACER support via the official contact page for assistance.