Existing Case Information FAQs
- How do I get access to docket information?
- How do I obtain copies of documents in court files?
- How do I obtain a copy of a reporter's transcript or electronic recording of a court proceeding?
- How do I obtain information (such as party names, attorneys, case number, judge assigned to the case and the status) for a case?
- How do I access an archived case file?
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How do I get access to docket information?
Docket information for the Northern District of California is available via the Electronic Case Filing (ECF) website (https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov.) You will need a PACER account to retrieve information from the ECF site.
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How do I obtain copies of documents in court files?
See Obtaining Copies of Court Documents for complete information on the various options.
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How do I obtain a copy of a reporter's transcript or electronic recording of a court proceeding?
Most court hearings are either recorded by a court reporter or electronically recorded by a calendar clerk. The docket entry for the hearing indicates whether a court proceeding was reported or recorded. Docket information is available from the electronic filing system (https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov) via PACER (www.pacer.gov) or by contacting the docket clerk for the assigned judge.
For every hearing held in federal court, "minutes" are filed that make note of the court reporter, if one was present. For example, ("C/R: John Smith") indicates that John Smith was the court reporter, while "None" indicates that the proceeding was not reported and no transcript is available. If the proceeding was recorded by a calendar clerk, the notation will list an audio recording number.
If a court reporter's name is listed, you may obtain a transcript by contacting the court reporter (.pdf). If the docket entry indicates that an audio recording of the proceeding was made, you may obtain a copy by contacting the calendar clerk for the assigned judge. If you need an audio recording transcribed, you should contact the Court Reporter Supervisor at (415) 522-2079.
To order transcripts for an appeal before either the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, please refer to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and/or each circuit’s local rules. Then, complete and file either the "Transcript Designation and Ordering Form" for appeals filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or the "Transcript Purchase Order" for the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, as applicable. (If any transcript you are designating has already been filed, please indicate its docket entry number on the transcript ordering form in the hearing type column.) For any designated transcripts that have not yet been prepared and filed, you must contact the individual court reporter(s) directly to make financial arrangements prior to filing the designation form.
For information about the cost of transcripts, download the fee schedule for transcripts (.pdf).
Forms for ordering transcripts and electronic recordings are available.
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How do I obtain information (such as party names, attorneys, case number, judge assigned to the case and the status) for a case?
Computer Access
Electronic case summaries and docket information may be retrieved using a computer via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (PACER) throughout the District. For registration information, please call (800) 676-6856. All registered agencies or individuals will be charged $.60 per minute of access time.
In Person
For more detailed information, documents may be viewed in person or retrieved for copying from the Clerk's Office at which the case was filed. Cases which are one year or older may be archived at the Federal Records Center (http://www.archives.gov/pacific/frc/san-francisco/court-records/) in San Bruno, California. To determine if a case has been archived, contact the appropriate division of the Clerk's Office.
In order to view or retrieve documents, you must have the case number of the file. If you do not have the case number, you may access the PACER system available in the Records Section of any Clerk's Office location, where you may search party names to obtain a case number. Case files and dockets may be obtained on a same day basis, unless they are being reviewed by someone at the time of the request. A valid government-issued picture identification card is needed to view a case file or docket. Acceptable identification cards include a state driver's license, a California identification card, a United States passport, or a federal, state, county or city employee card. Credit cards, car keys, or student identification cards will not be accepted.
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How do I access an archived case file?
Approximately one year after the time to appeal has expired on a case, its file will be sent from the Clerk's Office to the Federal Records Center. Members of the public have two options for retrieving case information or copies of documents from the Federal Records Center:
Through the Clerk's Office
The file may be ordered for viewing at the Clerk's Office. A fee applies to this service. When ordering a file, please include the case name, case number, filing date, and the title of the specific documents requested together with the requester's name, address and daytime telephone number. It may take several days for the file to be shipped to the Clerk's Office.
From the National Archives and Records Administration
Effective October 1, 2011, the National Archives and Records Administration ("NARA") will no longer provide on-site court case review services at its Federal Records Center in San Bruno, CA. NARA will continue to provide copies of court records by mail, fax, telephone, (see contact information below) or online (see https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline and click on "Order Reproductions," then "Court Records"). To order copies of case records from the NARA, you must provide the following information: (1) the state in which the case was filed, (2) the city in which the case was filed, (3) the case name(s), (4) the case number, (5) the transfer number, (6) the box number, and (7) location number, all of which can be obtained from the Clerk's Office where the case was filed. This information may be obtained via CM/ECF or PACER (see instructions below), in person, by phone, or by writing to the Records Department of the Clerk's Office division where the action was filed.
To obtain case file location information from ECF/PACER. Simply log-in to ECF or PACER, click on Query, type in the case number, and then click Run Query. On the next screen click on Case File Location. The following screen will display the case number and a check box for each volume of the case file. Check the appropriate box(es) and then click Submit. ECF/PACER will display the accession, location, and box number(s) information.
Federal Records Center
1000 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066-2350
Phone: 650-238-3500
Fax: 650-238-3507
E-mail: sanbruno.reference@nara.gov