Searching by docket number is one of the most common things users do, and we've been working to make it faster, smarter, and easier. Whether you live in the query builder or just type straight into the search bar, this round of updates is about getting you to the right case with fewer steps, fewer cleanup tasks, and fewer irrelevant results. Here's what's new.

Dedicated Docket Number + Court fields at the top of the Query Builder The Query Builder now has a dedicated Search by Docket Number section at the top, with a docket number field and a court selector right next to it. This makes docket number searches faster and more accurate:

• Documents are automatically excluded from the results, so you get straight to the case without sifting through filings.
• The court selector lives right in the docket number section, so you can easily narrow your search to a specific court without leaving the row or building a separate filter.

Smarter docket number and entity detection in the search bar When you type or paste something that looks like a docket number (formats like 3AN-22-06115CI, 2024-CV-001234, 21-cv-01234, or PSC2002459), Docket Alarm now recognizes it and offers a one-click suggestion to search it as a docket number. No need to open the query builder first. Accepting the suggestion automatically scopes results to dockets only, so you land on the case faster.

Detection isn't limited to docket numbers. The search bar will also surface suggestions for party names, judge names, firms, and attorneys, so users who prefer to type directly into the search bar (instead of opening the query builder) can still run focused, filtered searches.

Federal docket numbers with judge's initials are auto-cleaned If you copy a federal docket number from a court website or filing that includes the judge's initials at the end (for example, 4:26-cv-03395-JSP), Docket Alarm now strips the initials automatically in the background before running the search. You don't need to clean up the docket number yourself, just paste and search. The case will come back instead of silently returning nothing. Works in both the regular search bar and the docket: filter, and is case-insensitive. 

We'd love for you to try out these improvements the next time you're searching for a case in Docket Alarm. Whether you're pasting a federal docket number straight from a filing, narrowing by court in the query builder, or just typing into the search bar, these updates should make finding the right case quicker and less frustrating. Have feedback, ideas, or run into something that doesn't work the way you'd expect? Reach out to your account representative or email us at support@docketalarm.com. We're always listening, and your feedback shapes what we build next.