How to Look Up Eviction Records in District of Columbia 2026

Where to Search District of Columbia Eviction Records

In the District of Columbia, an eviction case is a single, citywide record: it is filed and heard in the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court), the one branch that handles every residential eviction in the District. Because DC is not divided into counties, there is no patchwork of clerk offices to canvass. Every case flows through the same court and is indexed in one place, which makes the District simpler to research than most no-portal states where you would have to call each county individually.

Access is genuinely statewide and online. The DC Courts Case Search portal lets you look up Landlord-Tenant cases by party name from one screen, and certified copies, when you need a court-stamped document, run $0.25 per page. Sealing also matters here: the District lets tenants petition to seal certain eviction judgments. The rest of this page walks through how to run a search, how to read what you find, and how that sealing law changes what a landlord may rely on.

How to find a DC eviction record

Start at the DC Courts Case Search portal, the District's statewide online index. Because the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court) hears every residential eviction in DC, you do not need to guess a county or jurisdiction; one search covers the whole District. Run the lookup by the tenant's name (and, where possible, an address) to surface the case number, the parties, and the docket of filings and orders.

For anything you intend to rely on formally, request a certified copy from the court at $0.25 per page; the online record is fine for a quick check, but a certified document is what carries weight in a dispute or a subsequent filing. Confirm the name match carefully before drawing any conclusion, since common names produce false hits.

Reading the result: a filing is not a judgment

The single most common mistake is treating any hit as proof a tenant was evicted. A filing is not a judgment. A Landlord-Tenant case opens when a landlord files a complaint, and the docket then records what actually happened: a dismissal, a settlement, a payment plan, a default, or a judgment for possession. Many cases are filed and then resolved without the tenant ever losing the unit.

So read the disposition, not just the existence of a case. Look for the final order on the docket and note whether it favored the landlord or the tenant, whether it was vacated, and whether money was actually owed. With DC's average rent near $1,954, a single disputed month can generate a filing that was later dismissed, which says little about whether someone is a reliable renter today.

Sealing and what it means for screening

Sealing is available in the District. Under DC Code § 16-5501 et seq., COVID-related judgments for possession are subject to a sealing petition, and the Omnibus Tenant Rights Act at DC Code § 42-3505.09 adds further protections (D.C. Code §§ 16-5501, 42-3505.09). When a court grants a petition, the record is removed from public view.

For landlords, this creates a clear compliance line. Do not act on a sealed record, and remember that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how a tenant-screening company may report eviction data, including accuracy and dispute obligations. If a record has been sealed under DC law, a screening report should not surface it; relying on stale or sealed information invites both an FCRA problem and a fair-housing one. Treat the court docket and a current disposition as your source of truth.

The tenant's side: getting a record sealed

If you are a renter with an old or wrongly entered case, the District gives you a real path to clear it. The starting point is the same court that heard the matter, the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court), and the governing law is DC Code § 16-5501 et seq., with the Omnibus Tenant Rights Act (§ 42-3505.09) layering on additional grounds. COVID-era judgments for possession are specifically subject to a sealing petition.

Practically, pull your own case on the DC Courts Case Search portal first so you know the exact case number and disposition, then file the sealing petition that fits your situation. A certified copy at $0.25 per page can document the outcome you are asking the court to seal. Once a judgment is sealed, it should no longer appear to landlords running a screening check.

Step-by-Step: How to Search District of Columbia Eviction Records

1. Go to DC Courts Case Search. Open https://efiling.dccourts.gov in your browser.
2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
5. Check the filing date. Important: District of Columbia has eviction record protections, D.C. Code §§ 16-5501, 42-3505.09. Do not make adverse screening decisions on sealed, expunged, or protected records.
6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court) clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $0.25/page.

Eviction Record Expungement in District of Columbia

Landlords and screening companies may not use sealed or expunged eviction records as a basis for adverse tenant-screening decisions in District of Columbia. Tenants who believe their records have been improperly used may have a civil claim under the applicable statute. If a tenant discloses an expunged eviction, you may ask for context but cannot deny housing based solely on the expunged record.

This page was prepared by the Eviction Risk Map research team using public records guidance from the DC Courts (which administer the Landlord-Tenant Court of the DC Superior Court) and the District's sealing statutes at D.C. Code §§ 16-5501 and 42-3505.09. Last reviewed June 2026. It is general information, not legal advice; consult a licensed District of Columbia attorney or the court directly for guidance on a specific case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up an eviction record in the District of Columbia?

Use the statewide DC Courts Case Search portal and search by the tenant's name. Because the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court) hears every residential eviction in the District, one online search covers all of DC. For a court-stamped document, request a certified copy at $0.25 per page.

Are DC eviction records public?

Yes. Eviction cases in the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court) are public and indexed online through the DC Courts Case Search portal, unless a record has been sealed by court order. Keep in mind a filing is not a judgment, so always read the case disposition rather than assuming the tenant was evicted.

Can a tenant expunge or seal a DC eviction?

Yes. Sealing is available under DC Code § 16-5501 et seq., with COVID-related possession judgments subject to a sealing petition, and the Omnibus Tenant Rights Act (DC Code § 42-3505.09) adds further protections. File the petition in the Landlord-Tenant Court (DC Superior Court); once granted, the record is removed from public view.

How much does a certified copy of a DC eviction record cost?

Certified copies from the court cost $0.25 per page in the District of Columbia. The online record on the DC Courts Case Search portal is free to view, but a certified copy is what you would use for a formal dispute or a follow-on filing.

Related District of Columbia Landlord Guides

Court portal information sourced from the District of Columbia court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published District of Columbia statutes (see citations above). Last updated August 28, 2026. For informational purposes only, not legal advice.