Anyone can get a PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) account. PACER is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
How to Obtain a PACER Account…
- Visit the PACER Website –Â Go to the PACER website: PACER Registration
- Select the Appropriate Account Type –Â
- Individual: For personal use.
- Non-Attorney Filers: For those who need to file documents but are not attorneys.
- Attorney Filers: For attorneys who need to file documents.
- Group Billing: For organizations needing a group account.
- Complete the Registration Form –Â
- Provide the required personal information, including name, address, and email.
- Create a username and password.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Verify Your Email –Â After registering, you will receive an email to verify your account.
Costs and Fees
- Search and Document Fees –Â PACER charges $0.10 per page for search results, case information, and documents retrieved. There is a cap of $3.00 per document, except for transcripts of federal court proceedings. The fee schedule is subject to change, so it’s good to check the latest rates on the PACER website.
- Quarterly Billing –Users are billed quarterly, and there is no fee if the total charges are less than $30 in a billing quarter.
Free Access
- Fee Exemptions –Â Certain groups may qualify for fee exemptions, including individuals who can demonstrate that they are unable to pay, non-profit organizations, academic researchers, and media.
- Free Access Threshold – If your usage is under $30 in a quarter, you won’t be charged.
Using PACER
- Access to Federal Court Records – Users can access docket sheets, case summaries, and other case documents.
- Coverage – PACER includes information from U.S. appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
Practical Tips
- Search Wisely –Â Use specific search terms to minimize costs by reducing the number of pages of search results.
- Monitor Usage – Keep track of your usage to avoid unexpected fees.
By following these steps, you can easily set up a PACER account and gain access to federal court records, making it a valuable resource for legal professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in federal court cases.