How to Request Court Documents

There comes a time when there's no avoiding dealing with "the system." When you need a document for a legal reason--whether it's a divorce decree for a mortgage application or a trial transcript for an appeal, it pays to know how to go about getting it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Realize that courts do not keep some documents, like police reports, even though they might be used in court cases. You need to know who the official "keeper of the record" is for the document you want. Most documents (like evidence photos) generated in a police department are legally maintained by that department and you can obtain them using "discovery" requests or open records requests. If it's a decision, decree or judgment you're after, the court that made it is the keeper and if you want a trial transcript, most courts will provide them for appeals for a nominal fee.

2. Know that if you need something like a divorce decree, the register of deeds may be the keeper of the record. Divorces, marriages and deaths are often kept by county clerks who maintain websites where you can order certified copies.

3. Check with the clerk of court to see if the court is the keeper of the record you want. Be sure to know what it is that you need--the title of the document. If it was issued on a certain day or as part of a certain case, have that information, too. Most clerks are very helpful but if there is hesitancy to produce a record, make a formal, written public records request for the material.

4. Be aware that the simplest document to retrieve is a notice or summons that has been filed that you've lost. If it's just a matter of finding out where and when you're supposed top show up, ask the clerk for a duplicate. Most clerks of court will happily find what you want or tell you who's responsible for that record. They are absolutely forbidden, however, to give legal advice.

5. Know that information on the federal Freedom of Information Act of 1996 and Privacy Act of 1974 is available on the US Department of Justice's website as well as a number of other sites. State Open Records laws are part of state statutes and are often available on websites maintained by bar and press associations, state attorneys general and journalism schools. Search "open records" and the name of your state.

Tips & Warnings

• Open records requests may be filed in person or in writing, depending on the state where you live.
• Always allow time for response to an open records request (usually up to ten days) since the clerk you speak to (or who opens you written request) is not the legal keeper of the record but has to go through a search and approval procedure to get the document you want released.
• If you have questions about public records requests in your state, consult your state statutes, your attorney or a legal aid organization.
• Depending on the nature of the court document you want, your public records request can be denied based on legal criteria that vary from state to state.
• Juvenile records, depending on the state, are not public records.

[joy1975]

on 6/26/2009 Great info indeed!! I had to get some old documents pulled and was able to do so right online without going to court myself. I got with http://www.national-court-research.com/services to help with my search. They took all of the necessary info and was able to find just what I had been searching years for. Well worth it!

[tassie]

on 6/22/2008 Great article. Nice to know.

[ChristinaEllis]

on 6/1/2008 Well-written and informative article. I find your profile fascinating and look forward to reading your works. Thank you for posting.

[leighcamp1]

on 5/27/2008 5 stars!

[leighcamp1]

on 5/27/2008 Very Thorough! Great article!