> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.vlex.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.vlex.com/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/getting-started/what-is-docket-alarm.md).

# What is Docket Alarm?

### Summary

Understand the core purpose of Docket Alarm, how it differs from traditional case law databases, and the specific types of legal data you can access, track, and analyze.

### Why This is Important

To use Docket Alarm effectively, it is crucial to distinguish it from substantive law research tools. While other platforms tell you what the law *is*, Docket Alarm tells you what is *happening* in the courts right now. This distinction ensures you use the right tool for the right task—saving time on research and ensuring you never miss a filing deadline.

### The Core Concept: Dockets vs. Case Law

The easiest way to understand Docket Alarm is to use the following analogy:

* **Case Law Databases (e.g., vLex):** These are like a **Law Library**. You go here to read books, judicial opinions, and statutes to understand legal precedents and build arguments.
* **Docket Alarm:** This is like a **Court File Room**. You go here to pull the physical file of a case, see the chronological list of events (the docket sheet), and download the actual documents filed by attorneys (complaints, motions, answers).

### Key Capabilities

Docket Alarm empowers you to perform three primary actions:

1. **Search:** Access millions of records across federal, state, and agency courts. Because Docket Alarm uses **OCR (Optical Character Recognition)**, you can search not just by case name, but by the full text within the PDF filings themselves.
2. **Track:** Set up alerts. You can monitor specific cases for new filings or "watch" a client name to be notified if they are sued in a new jurisdiction.
3. **Analyze:** Use data to predict outcomes. Docket Alarm tags over 220 types of motions to visualize how often a specific judge grants or denies motions, or how long a specific case type typically takes to resolve.

### System Coverage

Docket Alarm provides access to a vast range of jurisdictions. You can view the full live coverage list at [`docketalarm.com/coverage`](https://www.docketalarm.com/coverage).

* **Federal Courts:** Comprehensive coverage of US District Courts, Circuit Courts, and Bankruptcy Courts (via PACER integration).
* **State Courts:** Coverage of **40+ states** (including trial and appellate levels). Note that data fields may vary based on what the local court provides.
* **Federal Agencies:** Specialized coverage for IP (PTAB, TTAB, ITC) and other agencies like the NLRB, FTC, and Tax Court.
* **International:** Recently expanded coverage includes UK-based courts.

### Understanding Data Freshness

When viewing a docket sheet, you will see a **Last Updated** field.

* **Official Updates:** This indicates the system has directly queried the court's record system (like PACER) for the latest data.
* **Unofficial Updates:** Sometimes you may see an update marked as "Unofficial." This means the data was pulled from an RSS feed. While reliable, it may not contain every minute detail.

<figure><img src="/files/LALjbvnitjKJoz8bE2MG" alt=""><figcaption><p>Docket Alarm acts as your digital court file room, providing a centralized hub to Search for filings, Track active litigation, and Analyze court data in real-time.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro Tip:** If you need to be 100% certain you are seeing the current status of a case, click the **Update Docket** button on the case page. This forces a live refresh from the court source (note: this may incur a standard PACER fee for federal cases if you do not have a fee cap).
{% endhint %}

#### Related Articles

* [System Coverage Guide](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/getting-started/system-coverage-guide.md)
* [How to Search for a Case](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/search-and-discovery/how-to-search-for-a-case.md)

#### Need more help?

If you have questions about specific court coverage or data types, please contact our Support team at <support@docketalarm.com>.

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