Monday, March 18, 2024


Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)


Most court records are now in electronic format. Therefore the most convenient way to view court records is online through PACER. To view records online, you need a login and password from PACER. Registering for a PACER login and password may be done by completing their online registration or by calling either 1-800-676-6856 or (210) 301-6440 to obtain a registration form.

There is a per page charge for downloading PACER case information. For further information please contact PACER Service Center directly. Please include U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in the subject of the email.

Once you have an active PACER account you may access the electronic records of any U.S. District Court by logging into their CM/ECF system using your PACER login and password.

Click here to access Eastern District of Michigan electronic court records.

U.S. Party/Case Index

The U.S. Party/Case Index is a national index for federal appeals, district, and bankruptcy courts for registered PACER users

Nationwide searches may be conducted to determine whether or not a party is involved in federal litigation.

The U.S. Party Case Index may be accessed via the Internet or by using the dial-up service. You will be required to use a login and password issued by the PACER Service Center.

Login to U.S. Party Case Index .

Access to Non-Electronic Records

Searching for Case Information at the National Archives and Federal Records Center

Court records for cases filed prior to the transition to electronic filing in January 2004 are stored at the National Archives and Federal Records Center located in Chicago, IL.

If you are interested in obtaining case information from the National Archives and Federal Records Center, complete the following steps:

  1. Enter the required information in the fields below and click on search.

    Non-Electronic Records Search

    Year case filed Five digit case number [12345]
  2. If the search is successful, the location information that you need is displayed.

    Record the information because you will need it when you contact the National Archives and Federal Records Center.

  3. Contact the National Archives and Federal Records Center for the Great Lakes Region at:

    • National Archives (NARA): 773-948-9001
    • Federal Records Center (FRC): 773-948-9030
    • Address: 7358 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60629

    Information can also be obtained at the website http://www.archives.gov/frc/chicago/

  4. Contact the Clerk's Office at 313 234-5000 for assistance if you are unable to locate a case or there are no results returned from a search. Please keep in mind that the Clerk's Office does charge for litigation related searches.