RECAP Browser Extension: How to Find Federal Court Records for Free
Snapshot
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | RECAP Browser Extension |
| Publisher | Free Law Project |
| Purpose | Find shared federal court filings, reduce repeat PACER purchases and contribute public records to CourtListener |
| Cost | Free extension. PACER purchases may still incur fees. |
| Browser support | Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari |
| Official installation | free.law/recap |
Why EpsteinWiki Sleuths Should Install RECAP
Federal court records are essential to reconstructing the Epstein and Maxwell investigations, civil suits, financial disputes and accountability proceedings. But accessing filings through PACER can become expensive. RECAP, a free browser extension from Free Law Project, gives researchers a practical way to check whether another person has already made a federal filing freely available in CourtListener.
The more public records researchers share, the easier it becomes for journalists, survivors, legal researchers and independent sleuths to inspect the same evidence. RECAP does not establish that a filing is true. It helps people obtain and examine the actual record.
Key Takeaways
- RECAP identifies court filings already available for free through CourtListener while you use PACER.
- With an ordinary PACER account, eligible public records you purchase can be contributed automatically to the public RECAP Archive.
- Search the archive before purchasing a document. A document absent from RECAP may still be available through PACER.
- Use separate safeguards when working with confidential, restricted or survivor identifying materials.
Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Install the Official Extension
Visit the Free Law Project RECAP page and select the appropriate browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari. Use the official links rather than an unfamiliar download site.
Step 2: Search CourtListener First
Use the RECAP Archive to search for the case number, court, party or filing. Confirm that the docket and document correspond to the case you actually need. A docket listing does not mean every attachment is available.
Step 3: Open PACER When Necessary
Visit PACER for an official federal docket or filing missing from CourtListener. When RECAP recognizes a free archived version, it displays links or indicators that can save you from paying again. PACER fees still apply to documents you choose to obtain directly from PACER.
Step 4: Preserve the Citation
For each useful filing, record the court, exact case number, docket entry, filing date, document title, page number and stable source URL. Keep the original PDF and distinguish witness allegations from judicial findings.
Step 5: Share Responsibly
RECAP normally contributes eligible PACER records to CourtListener as researchers retrieve them. Before handling sensitive documents, understand the upload behavior. Its settings allow users to disable uploads. Researchers with court electronic filing access should pay special attention to Free Law Project’s restrictions and safeguards.
Important Privacy and Safety Limits
Free Law Project’s FAQ explains safeguards against automatically sharing sealed or restricted filings. Those safeguards are not a guarantee against every error: a publicly accessible filing may occasionally contain material that should have been restricted. Never intentionally redistribute sealed records, private survivor identifiers, or confidential information. When in doubt, stop and consult the court’s rules and your project’s privacy procedures.
RECAP principally serves United States federal PACER records. It is not a substitute for state court systems, international court registries, original investigative documents or a complete docket audit. Free public availability does not establish authenticity of an allegation or its legal outcome.
How to Use RECAP in an Epstein Investigation
Start from a verified case number. Search CourtListener for the docket and identify which specific complaint, order, motion, exhibit or transcript addresses the research question. Compare the PDF against the official PACER entry when needed. Record all known legal dispositions and corrections. Do not equate being named in a lawsuit with criminal wrongdoing.
For ACORN, EHR and EpsteinWiki research, maintain a document log with source URL, docket entry, page, allegation type, verification status and any survivor privacy restriction. This makes legal claims reproducible and keeps the investigation focused on evidence rather than rumor.
Questions and Answers
Is RECAP free?
Yes. The extension and public archive access are free, but documents purchased through PACER can still generate PACER fees.
Does RECAP automatically publish everything I view?
No. Its behavior depends on the site, account type, document and settings. Public PACER purchases are generally contributed, while Free Law Project describes special safeguards for restricted documents and electronic filing accounts.
Can RECAP access sealed records?
No. Installing an extension does not grant access to sealed or otherwise restricted records.
Does a CourtListener record prove an allegation?
No. Court filings can contain disputed allegations and untested claims. Always identify whether the text is an allegation, sworn testimony, an evidentiary exhibit or a court finding.
Conclusion
RECAP makes public court research less expensive and more collaborative. For investigators examining Epstein related litigation, it offers a practical first step: check the public archive before paying for a record, then document what the filing actually says. The goal is not merely to collect names. It is to build a verifiable record.