Civil court records are the files for disputes between private parties: contract claims, personal injury suits, debt collection, property disputes, small claims, and evictions. They are public in every state, and because civil documents are less restricted than criminal ones, they are also the records most likely to be viewable online in full.
Which court holds a civil record
Civil cases are sorted by how much money is in dispute and by subject.
| Case type | Typical court | Typical record keeper |
|---|---|---|
| Larger lawsuits, injunctions, land title | General-jurisdiction trial court (district, superior, circuit) | District clerk or clerk of court |
| Mid-sized claims, contract and debt cases | County court or a limited-jurisdiction civil court | County clerk |
| Small claims, evictions, debt under the small-claims limit | Justice, magistrate, or small-claims court | Clerk of that court |
| Federal-question and diversity cases, bankruptcy | U.S. District or Bankruptcy Court | PACER |
The dollar limits vary by state and change over time, so if you are not sure where a case was filed, search the general-jurisdiction court first and then the county-level court.
What you can see online
Most clerks publish a civil case index with party names, case number, filing date, case type, docket entries, and disposition. Whether you can open the documents depends on the court:
- Statewide portals (where they exist) often show documents for cases filed electronically, sometimes after a free registration.
- County portals vary from full document access to index-only.
- Judgments are almost always available as copies from the clerk, and many counties also record abstracts of judgment in the real-property records, which are a separate search.
Business names can be searched the same way as personal names. Search for both the legal entity and any assumed name.
Finding judgments and liens
A judgment is the court's final decision, and it is the document you need if you are trying to collect money or confirm that a debt was resolved. To find one:
- Search the civil index by the debtor's name in the county where the suit was filed.
- Open the case and look for a docket entry titled "Judgment," "Final Judgment," or "Default Judgment."
- Order a certified copy from the clerk if you need to record a lien, register the judgment in another state, or prove it to a third party.
Abstracts of judgment and judgment liens are recorded with the county recorder or county clerk's real-property division, not the court, and appear in the property records index.
Evictions and small claims
Evictions and small-claims cases are filed in the lowest-level court, which usually has its own clerk and often its own online search separate from the district and county courts. Eviction records are public and are widely used by tenant-screening companies, which is why some states now limit their reporting. If you are searching for your own eviction history, check each precinct or magistrate court in the counties where you have rented.
Family and probate cases are separate
Divorce, custody, and support are civil cases, but most states route them to family courts with their own access rules; see the family records guide. Wills, estates, and guardianships are probate cases; see the probate guide.
Federal civil cases
Lawsuits under federal law, and suits between citizens of different states above the federal threshold, are filed in U.S. District Court and are found only in PACER. Bankruptcy cases are federal too; see the bankruptcy guide.
Sealed and redacted civil records
Courts redact Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and minors' names from public filings. Judges can seal specific documents or entire cases for reasons such as trade secrets, medical privacy, or the protection of a minor. A sealed case may appear in the index with limited information or not at all.
Getting copies
Plain copies can often be downloaded from the portal. Certified copies must come from the clerk; see how to get certified copies. The state and county guides on this site list each clerk's address and request process.
Frequently asked questions
Are civil court records public?
Yes, with limited exceptions. Lawsuits, judgments, and small-claims cases are public records. Courts redact sensitive personal data, and some filings (medical records, trade secrets, settlements in some cases) can be sealed by order.
How do I find out if someone has been sued?
Search the civil index of the district or county clerk in each county where the person lives or does business. Larger suits are in the general-jurisdiction court; smaller ones are in county or small-claims courts.
How do I get a copy of a judgment?
Ask the clerk of the court that entered it for a certified copy of the judgment. You will need it to record a lien or enforce the judgment in another state.
Are evictions civil court records?
Yes. Evictions are civil cases, usually filed in the lowest-level court (justice, magistrate, or small-claims court), and are searched through that court's own clerk.