We don't store records — we connect you directly to the official source.
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SEARCH BY NAME OR STATE
Enter a name or pick a state to start. Our system searches live court and arrest record feeds in real time — no waiting, no outdated data.
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LIVE DATA VIA RSS & API
Our records come directly from court systems and law enforcement agencies via live RSS and API feeds — the same data courts use, delivered instantly.
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COURT, CRIMINAL & ARREST
We specialize in court records — civil, criminal, bankruptcy, federal — plus arrest records and criminal case data. This is what we do, and we do it well.
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ALWAYS FREE — NO ACCOUNT
No subscription, no signup, no fees. Public court and arrest records are public by law. Search as much as you need.
Deep Dive
WHAT'S INSIDE EACH RECORD TYPE
We go deep on every record category. Here's exactly what you'll find when you search.
⚖️ Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records document the full lifecycle of a case — from initial charges through final sentencing. Our live feeds capture new filings as they happen and update case status in real time.
ARRAIGNMENTS
Initial court appearances, charges read, and plea entries for newly arrested individuals.
CRIMINAL CHARGES
Felony and misdemeanor charges filed by prosecutors, including charge codes and severity.
CASE DISPOSITIONS
How the case ended — dismissed, guilty plea, acquittal, or conviction after trial.
SENTENCING DATA
Sentence imposed — prison, probation, fines, community service, or suspended.
ACTIVE WARRANTS
Arrest warrants, bench warrants, and failure-to-appear warrants issued by courts.
CASE DOCKETS
Full timeline of filings, hearings, motions, and court orders in a criminal case.
Bankruptcy records are filed in federal court and are public record. We carry live filings from all 94 federal bankruptcy courts across all 50 states, updated as cases are filed.
CHAPTER 7
Liquidation bankruptcy — assets sold to pay creditors. Most common for individuals.
CHAPTER 11
Reorganization bankruptcy — businesses restructure debts and continue operations.
CHAPTER 13
Wage earner repayment plan — individual repays debts over 3–5 years to keep assets.
DISCHARGE RECORDS
Court orders discharging debts — the formal end of a successful bankruptcy case.
CREDITOR LISTS
List of creditors and amounts owed, filed as part of the bankruptcy petition.
CASE STATUS
Whether a case is open, closed, dismissed, or converted to another chapter.
Arrest records document the booking process when someone is taken into custody. Our live feeds pull directly from county jail systems as arrests occur. Note: arrest ≠ conviction.
BOOKING RECORDS
Date, time, arresting agency, and jail facility for each individual arrest.
CHARGES AT ARREST
Offenses listed at the time of booking. These are accusations, not convictions.
MUGSHOTS
Booking photos taken at time of arrest, where released by the county jail system.
BOND INFORMATION
Bail amount set, bond type, and whether the individual has been released.
ARRESTING AGENCY
Which agency made the arrest — police, sheriff, state patrol, or federal.
RELEASE STATUS
Current custody status — held, released on bond, or released on own recognizance.
Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, Constitutional issues, and interstate disputes. We carry live feeds from all 94 U.S. District Courts and all U.S. Courts of Appeals.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL
Federal criminal indictments, informations, and case filings for federal offenses.
FEDERAL CIVIL
Civil lawsuits in federal court — civil rights, securities fraud, antitrust, and more.
APPELLATE COURTS
Case filings and decisions from all 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals circuits.
INDICTMENTS
Federal grand jury indictments charging individuals or organizations with federal crimes.
FEDERAL JUDGMENTS
Federal court judgments in civil cases — damages awarded, injunctions issued.
ALL 94 DISTRICTS
Complete coverage of every U.S. District Court across all 50 states and territories.
Millions of people search court and arrest records every day for legitimate personal and professional reasons.
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ATTORNEYS
Lawyers research opposing parties, check prior litigation, verify case histories, and monitor active dockets across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
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JOURNALISTS
Reporters track criminal indictments, civil filings, and bankruptcy cases on public figures and corporations for investigative and breaking news stories.
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INVESTIGATORS
Private investigators use court and arrest data to locate individuals, build case histories, verify identities, and support legal proceedings.
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INDIVIDUALS
People check their own records for accuracy, look up individuals they know, or search for personal safety and situational awareness purposes.
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BUSINESSES
Companies research potential partners, monitor bankruptcy filings, check for past litigation, and conduct due diligence. (Not for FCRA employment screening.)
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RESEARCHERS
Academic researchers and policy analysts study court data to analyze legal trends, sentencing patterns, and criminal justice statistics.
Know Your Records
UNDERSTANDING COURT & ARREST RECORDS
Before you search, know what each record type means and what information it contains.
COURT RECORDS EXPLAINED
A court record is the official documentation of any proceeding that takes place in a court of law. Every case filing, hearing, motion, and judgment becomes part of the public record. Court records are organized at the local, state, and federal level — each jurisdiction maintaining its own system.
TYPES OF COURTS
State Trial Courts — Handle the vast majority of criminal and civil cases in the U.S., organized by county or judicial district.
State Appellate Courts — Review trial court decisions. Most states have an intermediate appellate court and a Supreme Court.
U.S. District Courts — The 94 trial courts of the federal system, covering all 50 states and territories.
U.S. Courts of Appeals — 13 circuits reviewing federal district court decisions.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts — Federal courts handling all bankruptcy filings under Chapters 7, 11, and 13.
Specialty Courts — Drug courts, family courts, probate courts, and small claims with specific limited jurisdictions.
WHAT A COURT RECORD CONTAINS
A typical court record includes the case number, party names, case type, all filed documents, scheduled hearings, assigned judge, and final disposition. Criminal records also include charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing details.
ARREST RECORDS EXPLAINED
An arrest record is created when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement. It documents the booking process and is maintained by the arresting agency — typically a county sheriff, local police department, or state law enforcement.
Critical point: An arrest record does not mean the person was charged, convicted, or guilty of any crime. Many arrests do not result in charges being filed. Always check the corresponding court record to see case outcome.
WHAT AN ARREST RECORD CONTAINS
Personal Information — Full name, date of birth, and physical description at time of booking.
Arrest Details — Date, time, arresting officer, arresting agency, and location of arrest.
Charges at Arrest — Offenses the person was arrested for. Not yet proven or adjudicated in court.
Booking Information — Jail or detention facility, booking number, and booking date/time.
Mugshot — Booking photo taken at time of arrest, where released by the agency.
Bond / Bail — Bail amount set and current custody or release status.
ARREST VS. CONVICTION
An arrest is not a conviction. Cases may be dismissed, charges may be reduced, or the person may be acquitted at trial. The criminal court record — not the arrest record — shows how a case resolved. Use both together for the complete picture.
What Records We Cover
Open Public Records specializes in live court and arrest record data. We cover the full spectrum of court activity — from a local criminal arraignment to a federal bankruptcy filing — delivered in real time.
Civil court case filings & judgments
Criminal charges, arraignments & dispositions
Bankruptcy — Chapter 7, 11 & 13
Federal district & appellate court filings
Arrest records & booking data
Warrant information
FCRA Notice
The records on this site are provided for informational and research purposes only. They may not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
For FCRA-compliant background checks, use a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). Open Public Records is not a CRA and does not provide consumer reports.
Live Data — Not a Directory
We are not a links directory. Our court and arrest records are delivered via live RSS and API feeds directly from court systems and law enforcement agencies. When a case is filed or an arrest is made, it shows up here — in real time.
Real-time court docket updates
Live arrest & booking feeds
Criminal case status & dispositions
Federal court RSS feeds
Bankruptcy filing notifications
All 50 states covered
All 50 States
BROWSE RECORDS BY STATE
Select a state to search live court records, arrest records, criminal cases, and bankruptcy filings for that state.
Everything you need to know about searching court records, arrest records, criminal cases, and bankruptcy filings on Open Public Records.
How do I search court records?
Use the Court Records tab at the top of this page to search by name or case number. You can also browse by state to find records for a specific jurisdiction. Search civil court records, criminal records, bankruptcy filings, and federal court cases all from the same search — no account required, always free.
How do I find arrest records?
Arrest records are generated by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest — typically a county sheriff or local police department. Use the Arrest tab in the search box or select a state to find live booking records and arrest logs. Our data updates in real time as arrests are processed and booked into county jail systems.
How do I request official copies of records?
Certified copies of court records must be requested from the clerk of courts in the relevant county or federal district. For criminal and arrest records, contact the arresting agency or state court. You can also file a request under your state's open records law or the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Searching here is free; certified copies from the court may carry a government fee.
Is it free to search civil, criminal, and bankruptcy records?
Yes — 100% free. Search civil court records, criminal records, bankruptcy filings (Chapter 7, 11, and 13), federal court cases, and arrest records at no charge. No account, no subscription, no hidden fees. All searches on this site are always free.
What's the difference between Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 is liquidation bankruptcy — assets are sold to pay creditors and remaining eligible debts are discharged. Most common for individuals. Chapter 11 is reorganization, used primarily by businesses to restructure debts while continuing to operate. Chapter 13 is a wage earner's repayment plan where individuals with regular income repay debts over 3–5 years while keeping their assets. All three are fully searchable here for free.
Can I search civil court records — lawsuits and judgments?
Yes. Our civil court records include personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, small claims filings, civil judgments, and liens from state civil courts. Search by party name to find cases where someone has sued or been sued, or use a case number for a specific filing. All free.
What's the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record?
An arrest record documents that someone was taken into custody — it records the booking, charges at arrest, and jail information. It is not a conviction and does not mean the person was charged or found guilty. A criminal record covers the full court case: charges filed, hearings, plea agreements, trial verdicts, and final sentencing. Always check the court record to see how a case resolved.
How current is the data — is it really live?
Yes, it's live. Records come via RSS and API feeds directly from court systems and law enforcement. Court dockets update as cases are filed. Arrest records update as bookings are processed. Bankruptcy and federal court data updates in real time. You're seeing current data, not old cached snapshots.
Can I search federal court records here?
Yes. We carry live federal court records from all 94 U.S. District Courts including federal criminal indictments, federal civil cases, and appellate court filings from all 13 circuits. Federal bankruptcy court records — Chapter 7, 11, and 13 — from all U.S. Bankruptcy Courts are also fully covered. All free.
Can I use these records for employment background checks?
No. This site is for informational and research purposes only. Using these records for employment screening, tenant screening, or credit decisions is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). We are not a Consumer Reporting Agency and cannot be used as a substitute for a proper background check from a licensed CRA.
How do I get a record expunged or removed?
Expungement must be ordered by the court that handled the original case. We reflect what is in the public record feed — if a court orders an expungement and seals the record, it will no longer appear. Contact an attorney to file for expungement in the jurisdiction where your case was filed. Eligibility requirements vary significantly by state.
Do I need to create an account to search?
No account needed. No email, no registration, no password. Search court records, arrest records, criminal records, and bankruptcy filings directly with no signup of any kind. Completely free, completely open — because public court records should be accessible to everyone.
Is searching civil, criminal, and bankruptcy records free?
Yes — 100% free. You can search civil court records, criminal court records, and bankruptcy filings at no charge. No account, no subscription, no fee of any kind. All court and arrest record searches on this site are free.
What types of court records can I search?
We cover the full range of court records: civil case filings and judgments, criminal charges and dispositions, bankruptcy filings (Chapter 7, 11, and 13), federal district and appellate court cases, and arrest and booking records. All 50 states. This is our core specialty.
READY TO SEARCH? PICK YOUR STATE.
Civil, criminal, bankruptcy, federal court, and arrest records — all 50 states, all free.