How to search District of Columbia court records
District of Columbia runs a single statewide case-lookup system, so one search — with the name spelled correctly — reaches courts across the entire state. There's no charge and no account required — results are visible to anyone who searches.
statewide free criminal data
Open the official District of Columbia portal →
What's actually there
DC Courts eAccess covers criminal, civil, family and probate matters.
Other official lookups for District of Columbia
No additional official lookups are listed for District of Columbia yet — the main portal above is the only one we've catalogued.
Federal cases filed in District of Columbia
State portals don't cover federal court. If the case you're looking for might be a federal criminal prosecution, civil suit, or bankruptcy, use CourtRecordsFree's live federal search — it queries CourtListener/RECAP directly and isn't limited to any one state.
Search tips
- Try both "Last, First" and "First Last" — courts index names inconsistently.
- Middle initials and suffixes (Jr., III) often matter for common names.
- A date of birth or case number is the only reliable way to confirm you found the right person.
- An arrest or charge shown in a docket is not a conviction — read the disposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search District of Columbia court records online?
Yes. District of Columbia's statewide search is free to use, with no account or subscription required.
Does this include criminal records?
Yes. District of Columbia's portal includes criminal case records alongside civil cases, subject to the sealing and expungement rules described below.
Does one search cover the whole state?
District of Columbia runs one statewide system, so a single search covers the whole state.
Links move. If the District of Columbia portal link above is dead, tell us on the corrections page.