How to Search for a Case

Summary

Learn the fundamental methods to locate a specific case in Docket Alarm using the Docket Number, Party Name, or Judge.

Why This is Important

Docket Alarm’s search engine is powerful because it indexes two things simultaneously: Docket Sheets (the case metadata) and Documents (the full text of PDFs). Knowing how to filter between these two ensures you find the exact case you are looking for without wading through thousands of unrelated search results.

Method 1: Searching by Docket Number (Most Accurate)

If you already know the case number, this is the fastest way to find your record.

1. Click into the main Search Bar on the Dashboard.

2. Find the Filter by dropdown menu inside the query builder.

3. Enter the docket number in the Docket No. field. (e.g., 1:20-cv-04920).

4. Enter the full or partial court name in the Court filter. (e.g., Texas ; Texas Southern; Los Angeles County)

5. Important: Uncheck the Documents box below the search bar (see the "Refining Your Search" section below).

6. Click Search.

Method 2: Searching by Party Name

If you are looking for litigation involving a specific company or individual:

1. Click into the Search Bar.

2. From the Filter dropdown, select Party.

3. Type the name of the party (e.g., Pfizer or Apple Inc.).

4. (Optional) You can combine this with a Judge filter or a Court selection using the Jurisdiction Selector to narrow down results.

5. Uncheck the Documents box below the search bar.

6. Click Search.

Refining Your Search: Dockets vs. Documents

By default, Docket Alarm searches everything. This means if you search for "Smith," you will get:

• Cases where "Smith" is a party (Plaintiff/Defendant).

• Cases where “Smith” is mentioned on the docket report (law firm, attorney, docket report, etc).

• AND every single PDF document (motion, order, exhibit) that contains the word "Smith" in the text.

To find a case sheet quickly:

• Deselect the "Documents" checkbox located under the search bar or in the filter menu.

• Ensure only Dockets is selected.

This tells the system: "I am looking for the folder (the case), not a specific piece of paper inside the folder."

Related Articles

• Using the Query Builder

• Using Supplemental Search

Need more help?

If you cannot find a case that you know exists, try using our Supplemental Search tool to query the court directly.

What's Your Next Step?