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FAQs

  • How do I retrieve a record/file from the Federal Records Center?

    Court records can be retrieved from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - Federal Records Center in Fort Worth three ways:

    Option 1 - Ordering From the Clerk's Office

    Court records can be retrieved through the Clerk's office for the United States District Court. The Clerk's office is required to charge a fee of $70 for retrieving any record from the Federal Records Center (28 U.S.C. § 1914). This fee must be paid to the Clerk, U. S. District Court, before your request will be processed.

    Option 2 - Ordering Online Directly From NARA

    To avoid having to pay the $70 retrieval fee, you can order court records online from NARA. Listed below are the steps you will need to follow:
     

    Visit the National Archives "Order Online" page (https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline).

    Click on "Order Reproductions," then "Court Records."

    Select the appropriate type of case (e.g., civil or criminal).

    Follow the onscreen prompts to set up an account and place your order.

     

    To order a civil case or criminal case, the following information is required: 

    State in which the court is located

    City in which the court is located

    Case name(s)

    Transfer number

    Box number

    Location number

    Customers can obtain the information listed above from the Clerk's office for the Federal Court in which the case was filed and closed. Option 3 - Ordering Via Mail/Fax/E-mail Directly From NARA

    Visit the National Archives "Order Online" page (http://www.archives.gov/research/court-records).

    Click on "Records from the Bankruptcy, Civil, and Criminal Courts and the Courts of Appeals."

    Download and complete the appropriate request form (civil or criminal).

    Note: These request forms also can be downloaded from the "Forms Menu" on our Internet web site under the title Federal Records Center Retrieval Form.

    Mail/fax/e-mail the form to the appropriate NARA facility (see page 2 of the request form for contact information).

    Please note that fees apply for obtaining copies of court records directly from NARA's Federal Records Centers.
     

  • Can the Clerk's office tell me how to proceed with my case?

    Clerk's Office staff cannot give "legal advice" or "practice law" since they are prohibited under Title 28 U.S.C. § 955. Therefore, when asked, Clerk's Office staff cannot:

    • explain the meaning of a specific rule;
    • make an interpretation of case law (i.e., how a party is affected by events in a case or how a party should proceed);
    • explain the result of taking or not taking an action in a situation;
    • answer whether jurisdiction is proper in a case (e.g., Is this a federal question or diversity case?)
    • answer whether the complaint properly presents a claim (e.g. did I say the right thing and is it enough information?);
    • answer what the best procedures are to accomplish a particular objective (e.g., How do I subpoena a witness in a case?).

    Clerk's Office staff can provide procedural information such as giving instructions on how to execute a task (i.e., number of copies, scheduling a hearing, use of forms, the number of days required to notice, etc.).

  • As an out-of-state attorney, how do I appear pro hac vice?

    Local Rule 83.5 (d) establishes the application requirements for a special or limited appearance by an attorney.  In addition, there is an application fee of $100 for any attorney moving to appear pro hac vice.  Local counsel may file the motion for leave to appear pro hac vice and submit the required payment electronically via CM/ECF.  For additional information, please review the Attorney Information section of our website.

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