Federal Criminal Public Records

Federal case research

Search PACER when you need a federal court docket or filing.

Register for a free PACER Case Search Only account. Checked October 2, 2026: access costs $0.10 per page, generally capped at $3 per document; searches, non-case-specific reports and transcripts are uncapped. Search pages can cost money even with no match. Quarterly charges of $30 or less are waived; court opinions and courthouse viewing are free. Check PACER’s pricing rules before retrieving records.

Your FBI history

Use the FBI Identity History Summary process for your own record review.

Start with the FBI’s online or mail instructions. The direct FBI fee is $18 per person, checked October 2, 2026; fingerprint collection can cost extra. Online applicants complete the application and payment before a participating Post Office fingerprint visit, or mail a current fingerprint card with the confirmation email as instructed. A mail application needs the signed applicant form, payment and a current FD-1164 card with name, birth date, signature, rolled prints and simultaneous impressions of all ten fingers.

An electronic request receives an electronic response and can request a mailed response; mailed requests are returned by First-Class Mail. The FBI does not expedite requests. This remains a personal-review product, not a public search of another person or a substitute for an agency’s required employment/licensing check.

Federal agency records

Use the agency’s published records or FOIA process when the record belongs to an executive agency.

State criminal history

Use the relevant state repository; it is not replaced by PACER.