What Is PACER?
PACER is the US federal courts' online system for dockets and filings. It lets you check any federal class action directly.
PACER, short for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is the online system run by the US federal judiciary that lets the public search and view dockets and documents from federal district, bankruptcy and appellate courts.
Why it matters to you
Most large consumer class actions are in federal court, so PACER is where their full record lives. You can use it to check whether a settlement got final approval, read the settlement agreement, see objections, and confirm whether an appeal is holding up payments. It is also a reliable way to verify that a settlement you heard about is real.
How PACER works
- ✓You register for a free account on the PACER website
- ✓You search by case number, party name or court
- ✓Viewing dockets and documents usually carries a small per-page fee, with a cap per document
- ✓Users with low usage in a billing quarter often have their fees waived
- ✓Some documents, like judicial opinions, are free to view
Fee rules can change, so check the current PACER pricing page before running large searches. There are also free third-party archives that mirror many federal dockets, though they may not be complete.
A simple example
A settlement website says payments are delayed. You look up the case number in PACER, open the docket, and see that a class member filed an appeal after final approval. You now know the delay is expected and roughly what is driving it.
Tips for using PACER efficiently: search by the exact case number from the notice rather than a company name, which can return many unrelated cases. Look at the docket report first, then download only the entries you need, such as the settlement agreement or final approval order. The official settlement website may already post the key documents for free.
Related terms
PACER gives you access to a federal docket. State court cases are not on PACER. For more ways to research cases, see how court records help you find class actions.
You do not need PACER to find settlements you qualify for. SettleScout matches open settlements to the brands and services you use, and you can browse them on our settlements page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PACER free?
Registration is free. Viewing most documents carries a small per-page fee, but fees are often waived for light users in a given quarter. Check PACER's current fee schedule.
Does PACER include state court cases?
No. PACER covers federal courts only. State court records are on each state's own system.
Do I need PACER to file a settlement claim?
No. Claims are filed on the official settlement website run by the administrator. PACER is only useful for researching the case.
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