PACER: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to access federal court case and docket information through PACER, including details on user fees and system requirements.
PACER is an online system that provides the general public with access to federal court case details and docket information.
Who it's for
This service is available to the general public. Whether you are a legal professional or a private citizen, anyone can access the system to view federal court records.
What you get
Through this system, you can access comprehensive federal court case information. This includes viewing dockets, which are the official summaries of the activities and proceedings in a specific legal case, as well as retrieving actual documents filed within those federal court cases.
What it costs you
Using the system is not free, as there is a per-page fee for the documents you access. However, there is a specific way to avoid these costs: if your total usage fees remain under $30 per quarter, the charges are waived. You should monitor your usage to ensure you stay within this threshold to avoid being billed.
The catch to know
The primary difficulty with this system is its interface. It is extremely technical and is designed for professional use, which means it may not be intuitive for the average user. Additionally, you cannot browse anonymously; you are required to have a login to access the information.
How to apply
- Go to the official portal website.
- Create a new account to obtain your required login credentials.
- Log in to the system with your credentials.
- Search for the specific federal court case or docket information you need to view.