Legal
These API Terms of Use ("API Terms") govern your access to and use of the DocketLayer API at api.docketlayer.com. They are incorporated into and form part of the DocketLayer Terms of Service. By making any request to the API, you agree to these API Terms. In the event of a conflict, these API Terms govern with respect to API access.
No account registration is required. Authentication is provided through the x402 payment protocol — successful payment of the per-query fee constitutes authorization to receive the requested data. Your Solana wallet address serves as your identifier for rate limiting and billing purposes. DocketLayer does not issue API keys.
| Endpoint | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GET /v1/case | $0.99 USDC | Full normalized docket data with filing details for changed cases |
| GET /v1/monitor | $0.99 USDC | Lightweight change indicator — boolean response for polling workflows |
| GET /v1/status | Free | Current API status, covered courts, and system health |
DocketLayer reserves the right to add, modify, deprecate, or remove endpoints at any time. We will provide advance notice of breaking changes through the /v1/status endpoint and the GitHub repository where operationally feasible.
Required parameters for /v1/case and /v1/monitor:
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| case_id | string | Federal case number in standard format — e.g. 1:24-cv-01234 |
| court_code | string | Court identifier — e.g. nysd, deb, cand |
| last_checked | string | ISO 8601 timestamp of your last successful query for this case |
All responses are JSON. A successful /v1/case response includes: case_id, court_code, changed (boolean), last_checked, checked_at, and new_filings (array of filing objects, empty if changed is false). Each filing object includes: filing_type, description, filed_at, filed_by, and document_number.
The API returns docket entry metadata only. It does not return the full text or content of court documents. To access document content, access PACER directly at pacer.uscourts.gov.
Read these limitations carefully before integrating. They affect how and whether DocketLayer data can be relied upon in legal, financial, and compliance contexts.
DocketLayer maintains a continuously updated cache with a maximum polling interval of 15 minutes per court under normal conditions. Data may lag behind the official PACER record, and potentially longer during PACER maintenance or outages. DocketLayer is not a real-time feed.
Data returned by the API is provided for informational and monitoring purposes only. It is not a certified court record and is not a substitute for direct PACER access. Do not use API data as the authoritative source in any legal proceeding, regulatory filing, or compliance certification.
PACER source data may contain errors or omissions. DocketLayer's normalization layer may introduce additional errors. Always verify critical information directly with the relevant court or through official PACER access.
The API covers only the federal courts listed in our Coverage Roadmap. Queries for cases in uncovered courts return an error and are not charged. Check /v1/status for current coverage.
Cases that are sealed, restricted, or otherwise not publicly accessible through PACER will not be accessible through the API. The API returns an appropriate error for such cases.
The API is dependent on DocketLayer's ability to access PACER. PACER maintenance, outages, or access policy changes may affect API availability. DocketLayer is not responsible for interruptions caused by PACER or the federal judiciary.
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Requests per minute | 60 per wallet |
| Requests per day | 10,000 per wallet |
Requests exceeding these limits return a 429 response and are not charged. Systematic attempts to circumvent rate limits — through multiple wallets, IP rotation, or other means — are prohibited and may result in permanent suspension without refund.
| Status | Meaning | Charged? |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Successful query | Yes |
| 402 | x402 payment challenge — handled by client library | No |
| 400 | Malformed request or invalid parameters | No |
| 404 | Case not found in covered courts | No |
| 429 | Rate limit exceeded | No |
| 503 | DocketLayer or PACER temporarily unavailable | No |
You may use data returned by the API to build your own commercial products — AI agents, compliance tools, legal software, financial analytics — subject to these API Terms. You may not resell or redistribute raw API responses as a competing service without prior written permission. Contact [email protected] to discuss licensing arrangements.
When publicly displaying or publishing data derived from the API, you must not represent it as certified or authoritative court records.
DocketLayer will endeavor to provide at least 30 days advance notice of breaking changes through the GitHub repository and /v1/status endpoint. DocketLayer is not liable for costs or damages arising from API changes following reasonable advance notice.
Your use of the API is subject to the limitation of liability provisions in the Terms of Service, incorporated by reference. DocketLayer's total liability arising from your use of the API shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total amount you paid in the 30 days preceding the claim, or (b) $100.00. DocketLayer is not liable for damages arising from your reliance on API data in any legal, financial, or compliance context.
These API Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming, consistent with the Terms of Service.
API integration questions: [email protected]
Documentation: docs.docketlayer.com
System status: api.docketlayer.com/v1/status
DocketLayer LLC · Wyoming limited liability company · [email protected] · docketlayer.ai