For a federal case, use PACER to search the specific court or the nationwide Case Locator. Match the parties and case number, then read the relevant orders and later entries. For state cases, use that state court’s official records service.
Start with the case identifiers
- Full case title; similar company names can appear in unrelated lawsuits.
- Court and jurisdiction.
- Complete case number, including the year.
- The event at issue, such as a particular breach or billing practice.
Two settlements involving one company may cover different people and years. Keep a separate record for each matter rather than combining them under the company’s name.
Search federal records with PACER
PACER’s Find a Case page offers a specific-court search and a nationwide Case Locator. The court-specific information is updated immediately; the nationwide index is updated daily. Access requires an account.
- If the court is known, start with its case search.
- If the court is unknown, use the nationwide Case Locator and compare matching parties and case numbers.
- Open the docket for the correct case and identify the relevant entries.
- If the case cannot be located, contact the court clerk through the court’s official website.
Review PACER’s pricing and fee rules before running searches or opening documents. Search and document access may incur charges; do not assume browsing is free.
Know which document answers your question
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Complaint | States allegations and requests for relief. It does not prove the allegations. |
| Motion | Asks the court to act. A request is not a ruling. |
| Order | Records the court’s decision or directions. Check later entries for changes. |
| Approved notice | Explains the class, options, instructions, and relevant dates. |
| Final approval or judgment | A significant case milestone. It does not by itself show that a particular payment has been sent. |
| Administrator update | Often the practical source for distribution, payment selection, or replacement questions. |
Keep a simple case log
Record the date checked, document title, docket entry number, relevant deadline, and source link. Separate what a party requests from what the court orders. When a later order changes a date, update your log and retain the earlier entry as history.
A useful note might read: “September 24: read administrator payment update; claim period closed; existing claimant action described separately.” This is an illustrative format, not a court filing.
When records do not answer the question
A public docket will not necessarily explain an individual claim’s review or payment problem. Contact the verified administrator for those questions. Court clerks can help locate records but cannot choose your legal strategy.
This site provides dated summaries and links. It does not monitor dockets automatically, provide personalized court alerts, or represent consumers.
Common questions
Does PACER cover state courts?
PACER is the federal court records system. Use the relevant state judiciary’s official records service for a state case.
Does a filed class action mean I can receive money?
No. Filing alone does not establish an approved settlement, eligibility, or a payment process.
What should I trust if an article and order disagree?
Read the relevant court order and any later orders, and verify practical claim instructions with the authorized administrator. Note which source was checked and when.
Keep going
Your next useful guide
How class action settlements work
Learn how to read a class action settlement notice, distinguish claiming from opting out or objecting, and understand approval and payment stages.
Notice verification guideVerify a settlement notice
Check a settlement email, text, or letter against case records and administrator sources before sharing information or following payment instructions.
Case profileEquifax 2022 credit-score case
A dated overview of the proposed Equifax credit-score settlement, counsel’s approval announcement, and what remains unverified.
Sources and page information
Sources checked September 24, 2026. These are dated summaries, not live case monitoring. Follow the court’s orders and the administrator’s current instructions. Counsel announcements are identified separately from court and administrator sources.
- U.S. Courts PACER: Find a Case
- U.S. Courts PACER: Pricing and fees
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 (text hosted by Cornell LII)
Prepared with AI assistance. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. This is general information, not legal advice. We do not submit complaints, determine eligibility, or guarantee a result.