| RECORDS FAQs
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- How do I obtain a nationwide criminal check?
What case
records are available
in your office?
Each division has it own case files for all pending cases,
for civil cases closed within
the last two years and for criminal cases
closed within the last three years. The files may
be viewed and/or copied. To locate a case number or party
name for cases filed since 1990 in the Northern District
of Texas, you may search on a public terminal in any divisional
office. For cases opened between 1981-1990, you may search
the party microfiche in any division. For cases opened between
1957-1981, you will need to search the party microfiche
records in the division where the case was filed.
If you need to view or copy a case that has been archived,
the Clerk's Office will give you necessary information to
contact the Federal Records Center (FRC) in Fort Worth (817/831-5620).
Please see Federal Records
Center information. You may make an appointment with
the FRC to view a file or ask to have a pleading faxed or
mailed to you. You may also have the Clerk's Office request
the file for viewing for a fee of $45.00.
How do I
get a docket sheet, pleading, etc. from an archived
case?
Imaged docket sheets are available through either
microfiche or on a public terminal for cases from 1957-1990.
You can view all docket entries from 1990 to present through
the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service
or on the public terminals in each divisional office. To subscribe
to PACER, please call 1-800-676-6856.
If you need to see an original docket sheet, please contact
the Clerk's Office to obtain the accession and location number,
then contact the Federal Records Center to view the docket
sheet.
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How far back
do the case and party microfiche
records go?
Information on party names for cases opened between
1957-1981 are only available on microfiche in the division
where the case was opened. Party microfiche for cases opened
between 1981-1990 are available in all divisions. Computer
records begin in 1990. The public terminals in each division
have a database for civil cases filed after
1989 and criminal cases filed after 1992.
How far back
does a certificate of
search go?
Searches go back ten years, unless otherwise specified.
Requests for name searches should be made in writing accompanied
by a check for $26.00. See Procedures
for Search Requests.
Can I look
up cases for the whole
Northern District
of Texas in your division?
Our computer records cover the entire district.
Microfiche records for parties in cases opened between 1981-1990
are available in each division for the entire district. These
microfiche are divided into divisions, so a complete search
will entail checking each division for civil, criminal, and
miscellaneous cases. The microfiche of party information for
cases opened between 1957-1981 are available only in the
division where the case was
opened. See Procedures
for Search Requests.
How do I
get a transcript?
See Procedures
for Requesting Transcripts. If a transcript is on file
in the Clerk's Office, you may make a copy of it or have it
sent to the copy service for copying.
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How can I see
a sealed document?
A sealed document is
only accessible to the attorney who filed it. An attorney
who filed a sealed document must
present a picture identification and state bar card to the
Clerk's Office before the document
will be made accessible to him/her.
Can you fax
a document to me?
The Court will not be signing up new users for fax noticing
on orders and judgments. Notice may be received by the Electronic
Notice System if you submit the appropriate consent form.
See Electronic Notice System.
The Amarillo, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Lubbock divisions send copies of documents from the case
file via facsimile transmission, if a request is submitted
on the Credit Card Authorization
Form.
Can
you e-mail
a document to me?
We can e-mail electronic images of documents to you through
our Electronic Notice System if you submit the proper consent
form. See Electronic Notice
System.
How
can I sign up to receive orders
and judgments by email?
Complete and submit an Electronic
Notice Consent Form to the address listed on the form.
You need only submit this form one time. Please allow up
to 72 hours for processing.
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How
do I verify a document for use in an action involving another
country?
For authentication of documents in cases
on file with the federal court, contact the district clerk's
office in the division where the case originated. For
authentication of official state or county documents (such
as birth certificates), contact the Secretary of State:
P.O. Box 13375, Austin, TX 78711, or call 512 /463-5705.
For authentication of birth certificates signed by a city
or local official, contact the Texas Department of Health
at 512/458-7111.
For actions involving a member nation under the Hague Convention,
an apostille can be issued. For more information,
visit the U.S. Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov/
or www.hcch.net/e/conventions/menu12e.html,
or call the State Department at 202/512-7455.
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How do I obtain a nationwide criminal check?
An FBI Identification Record, often referred to as a Criminal History Record, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI. If the fingerprints are related to an arrest, the Identification Record includes the name of the agency that submitted the information, the date of arrest, the arrest charge, and the disposition of the arrest, if known to the FBI. This includes state and federal charges.
To find out how to obtain this record, contact the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Service at 304/625-5590. For more information, visit the CJIS website at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm
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