How to Read Public Court Records

Visit the courthouse to read public court records that are not available online.

Most court records, except for juvenile cases and sensitive criminal cases, are available to the public. That goes for both state and federal cases. However, it can be more difficult to access state court files simply because the procedures and rules are different from court to court. Some court records are available for viewing online, especially in a large urban area.

Instructions

1. Go to the court's website and look for court records. Follow the instructions. Not all, or even most, courts have court records available online. United States district courts may have case information and court records available. Viewing the records is often free; there may be a minimal charge. Printing copies may also be free or you may be charged by the page.

2. Create a PACER account if you cannot obtain records on a federal case website. On Pacer.com, you can view most records of criminal cases. There are exceptions, especially for older cases. Some of those are in storage or archived and thus are not available online. There is a small fee for viewing and printing the court records.

3. Visit the courthouse in person if the records you seek are not available online. Take the case name and number with you when go to the courthouse.

4. Call ahead to the court and ask if a file is in storage for older cases. Each court has a different system for putting case files in storage. Any case more than 5 years old is likely to be in storage or archived.

Tips & Warnings

• If a case file is in storage or archived, it can take anywhere from one day to 2 weeks before it is available for viewing.

References

• King County Superior Court: Superior Court Records

Resources

• PACER: Public Access to Court Records