Court Records
Public Records Ndcourts Gov
Use a state court portal like ndcourts.gov to search dockets, party indexes, calendars, and opinions, and request filings or certified copies from the clerk when needed.
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Court Records
Dockets
Case Lookup
Opinions
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Quick Overview
find and verify court case records via a state court portal
First Source To Check
State court portal for public case indexes, docket summaries, hearing dates, and appellate opinions.
Commonly Online
Party-based case search, case number lookup, register of actions, scheduled hearings, and published opinions.
Usually Requires a Request
Certified copies, full-file documents, and older records typically obtained from the clerk of court.
Typical Identifiers Needed
Case number, party name, filing year or date range, court level, and sometimes case type.
Start Your Lookup
- Start with selecting the exact record type to search (case docket, opinion, calendar, judgment).
- Search the state court portal by case number for the most direct match.
- Check party-name search if the case number is unknown, adding a filing year filter if available.
- Use the court calendar to confirm upcoming hearings or recent activity.
- Request certified copies or complete filings from the clerk of court when the portal shows docket entries only.
Record Routing
- Case docket or register of actions → State court online case portal
- Appellate opinions or orders → Court opinions archive
- Upcoming hearings or past calendars → Court calendar/scheduling tool
- Certified judgments or filed pleadings → Clerk of court records desk
Search Inputs
- Record type (docket, opinion, calendar)
- Case number
- Party last name and first name
- Filing year or date range
- Court level (trial or appellate)
- Case type/category
Source Map
| Where To Check | Best For | How To Search | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| State court online portal (e.g., ndcourts.gov) | Docket summaries, register of actions, party index, basic case details | Online index/docket search by case number, party, or date | Primary public gateway for court case lookup; often the fastest way to confirm case status and key events. |
| Clerk of court office | Certified copies, full filings, exhibits, minute entries not posted online | Request-based via clerk; identification and fees may apply | Official custodian for case files and certifications when the portal provides only summaries. |
| Appellate court opinions archive | Published opinions, orders, and citations | Online opinions search and browsing | Authoritative access to written decisions separate from trial-level dockets. |
| Court calendar and hearing schedule | Upcoming hearings, locations, and recent calendar history | Online calendar search by name, case number, or date | Verifies near-term activity and appearance requirements not always obvious from dockets. |
| Commercial legal research databases | Cross-references, citations, and secondary indexing | Subscription or pay-per-use search | May help locate related appellate materials or historical references when the court portal is limited. |
Contextual FAQs
What specific record types are typically searchable on a state court portal like ndcourts.gov?
Docket summaries, party indexes, registers of actions, scheduled hearings, and published appellate opinions are commonly available; full filings may not be posted.
How do I obtain certified copies or complete filings from a case?
Use the docket to identify the case and then request certified copies or file documents directly from the clerk of court for that case.
Why can’t I find a case by name?
Possible reasons include name mismatch, sealed or restricted records, expungement, older pre-portal cases, or data-entry variations. Try a case number or narrow by date range.
Are online dockets official records?
Online dockets are generally informational. Certified or attested copies must be obtained from the clerk of court.