What is a docket number?

The docket number is the court’s case number or tracking number.  Once a docket number is assigned to a case, it must appear on all papers submitted to the Court.  Typically, a docket number is made up of a two-digit number (to signify the year), followed by the case type (either Civ. for civil cases or Cr. for criminal cases), followed by a four- or five- digit case number and followed by the judge’s initials in parentheses.  Thus, 01 Civ. 2345 (CM) is the docket number for the 2,345th civil case filed in the year 2001 and assigned to the Honorable Colleen McMahon.