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Federal case numbers follow a standard format across all district and bankruptcy courts. Understanding the format helps you construct valid case_id values for DocketLayer queries.

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Standard format

division:year-type-number
ComponentDescriptionExample
divisionDivision number within the court1
yearTwo-digit year the case was filed24
typeCase type codecv, bk, cr
numberSequential case number01234

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Case type codes

CodeType
cvCivil
bkBankruptcy
crCriminal
mcMiscellaneous
apAdversary proceeding (bankruptcy)

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Examples

Case IDCourtTypeDescription
1:24-cv-01234nysdCivilCivil case filed in 2024, SDNY
1:22-bk-11068debBankruptcyBankruptcy case filed in 2022, Delaware
5:20-cv-03010candCivilCivil case filed in 2020, NDCA
2:23-cr-00456cacdCriminalCriminal case filed in 2023, CDCA

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Finding a case number

Case numbers appear on all court filings and on the PACER docket sheet. You can look up case numbers on PACER using party name, attorney, or other search criteria.

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Validation

DocketLayer validates case ID format on receipt. A malformed case ID returns a 400 error and no charge. Common mistakes:
  • Missing the colon separator between division and year: 124-cv-01234 is wrong, 1:24-cv-01234 is correct
  • Using a four-digit year: 1:2024-cv-01234 is wrong, 1:24-cv-01234 is correct
  • Including spaces or special characters other than the colon and hyphen separators