What the Clerk's Office does
The Clerk of the Court and the clerk's staff manage the paperwork of the Supreme Court. They don't decide cases. They make sure each appeal is filed correctly, tracked, and ready for the justices.
- Receive and review filings, including claims of appeal, briefs, and motions.
- Keep the official record and the docket for every case.
- Send notices and orders to the parties through the Online Portal.
- Schedule cases for oral argument and keep the argument calendar.
- Issue certified copies of the Court's documents.
- Help the public understand the Court's procedures.
Filing with the Court
All filings with the Supreme Court are made through the Online Portal. When you file, the clerk reviews the document and either accepts or denies it, and you're notified of the outcome through the portal.
No in-person filing right now. The clerk's office isn't accepting filings in person. New appeals and later documents must be submitted through the Online Portal.
Before you file, check the format, page limit, and signature rules on the filing information page, and look for the form you need in the court forms list. For appeals, see how an appeal works.
Records and copies
Supreme Court case records are public. You can look up a case, its docket, and the Court's opinions and orders through the Supreme Court case search. This is separate from the District Court's case search.
To get copies of documents, certified copies, or transcripts, use Request Court Records. Copy fees may apply. Published opinions are also available from the Reporter of Decisions.
What the clerk can and can't help with
The clerk can
- Explain how to file and what the court rules require
- Tell you the status of a case and its next date
- Confirm what has been filed
- Tell you where to find a form
The clerk can't
- Give legal advice
- Tell you whether to appeal or how to argue your case
- Predict how the justices will rule
- Accept documents outside the Online Portal
If you need help without a lawyer, start with Self Help.