How do I get a Copy of a Court Order?

The steps you have to take to obtain a copy of a court order may begin with contacting the lawyer who handled your case. He can provide a suitable copy in the event that you do not need a certified document. If you can't obtain a copy from your lawyer or if you need a certified copy, you may visit the clerk of courts for the court system that handled your case and request a copy. You will likely have to pay a small fee for the document, and you can ask the clerk to stamp and sign it to make it official.

If you are seeking a copy of a court order for a case in which you had the help of an attorney, the easiest way to get a copy of it may be to call the attorney’s office. The attorney’s office should have a copy of the court order and may agree to mail it to you. In the event that you need a copy quickly, however, a personal visit to the attorney’s office may allow for faster service.

In the event you are unable to secure a copy from your lawyer or if you need a certified document, your best option may be visiting the clerk of court for the court that handled your case, making sure you have all the required information in hand. For example, you will typically have to provide the clerk with the case number associated with the court order as well as your full name and the name of the other person who was a party to the case. You may also have to provide your date of birth and other identifying information. Many court systems require you to provide proof of identity as well, usually in the form of a government-issued photo identification card or a driver’s license.

You will typically have to pay a fee to obtain a copy of a court order. Usually, however, the fee is very small. For example, in many jurisdictions, the cost to obtain a copy of a court order is less than $10 US Dollars. In some cases, the fee you will have to pay is based on the number of pages in the court order.

When you request a copy of a court order from the clerk of courts, you will typically receive a photocopy of the document. This may not meet your needs if you need to use it as proof of the order, however. In such a case, you may do well to ask the clerk to stamp and sign it. This results in a certified copy of the court order.