What Is a Docket?
A docket is the running record of every filing and order in a court case. It is the most reliable place to check where a class action stands.
A docket is the official record of a court case, listing every document filed and every action taken, in date order. Each case gets its own docket number, which identifies it within that court.
Why it matters to you
The docket is the primary source for a class action. If you want to confirm that a settlement is real, see whether final approval was granted, or check if an appeal has delayed payments, the docket answers it. Settlement notices list the court and case number precisely so you can look it up.
What a docket shows
- ✓The case caption: the parties' names, the court and the case number
- ✓Each filing, such as the complaint, motions, briefs and settlement papers
- ✓Court orders, including preliminary and final approval
- ✓Hearing dates and their outcomes
- ✓Notices of appeal, if anyone appeals
Entries are numbered, so documents are often cited as "ECF No." followed by the entry number in federal cases. In federal court, dockets and documents are available through PACER. State courts run their own systems, which vary widely in what is online.
A simple example
Your settlement notice lists a federal court and a case number. You look up the docket and see a recent entry: an order granting final approval, followed weeks later by a notice of appeal. That tells you why the official website says payments are on hold.
Reading entries quickly
You do not need to read every filing. Search the docket for words like "preliminary approval," "final approval," "judgment" and "appeal." Those entries tell you the case's stage. The motion for final approval and the administrator's declaration often report useful numbers, such as how many claims were filed, which helps explain the size of your eventual payment.
Dockets also record deadlines the court sets, such as when the parties must file a motion for final approval or when the administrator must report on claims. Watching for those entries can give you an early signal that payments are getting closer.
Related terms
Dockets are the backbone of using court records to find class actions. They also help you verify a settlement email is legit: a real settlement will match a real case.
If you would rather not check dockets yourself, SettleScout keeps tabs on settlement status for the cases you have matched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a class action docket?
For federal cases, use PACER or free mirrors of federal dockets. For state cases, check the state court's online records system. The settlement website often posts key documents too.
What is a docket number?
It is the unique identifier for a case within a court, usually listed on the class notice and the settlement website.
Is a docket public?
Most court dockets are public, though some documents may be sealed or redacted.
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