How to Find a Civil Case

Finding civil case techniques are the same in all states. Civil cases are filed in civil court (county) or federal courts. County-level civil courts may be called civil courts or superior courts. Federal civil courts are divided into districts. One or more counties in the state usually share federal civil courts. Several states share the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Instructions

1. Determine if the civil case is a local or federal case. If it is a local case, there are two locations to find a civil case--at the clerk of court office or at the clerk of court's online website (if your county has online access). If the case is a federal case, visit the clerk of court at the federal courthouse or, if the district has cases online, visit the federal clerk of court's website.

2. Find the case by entering the case number or the name of one of the parties into the clerk of court's computer, if applicable. Some clerks of court still require you to fill out an index card with the parties' names and the case number. The clerk then retrieves the file for you. If the county or federal district is online, enter the case number or one of the parties' names into the search box at the clerk of court's website.

3. Determine if the case is the case that you want. If you are handed a paper file, look for the civil cover sheet. Most clerks file the newest document on top, so the civil cover sheet will be one of the last documents in the file, as it is one of the first documents filed. If you are online, depending on the area you are in and how much information is scanned online, you may be able to see only the docket. You can determine if the case is the one that you are looking for by reading the case designator in the heading or, in some cases, by reading the title of the docket entries.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have online access to your clerk of court and only the docket is available, write down the case number and take it to the clerk. The clerk will give you the paper file so that you can peruse the documents.