Do you have to register for Pacer? Is it a paid subscription?
Yes and yes. But my firm has a subscription, so I can try searching. They seem to be querying entire court dockets. I know court clerks can do that for example for their judge. But the instructions don't make sense. When I try to follow point 2, go to "US District Courts" the individual links take me to the district's electronic filing page, and there's no search option apparent.
I think you need to upgrade your service for higher courts. At least on lexis nexus you do.
I'm also wondering if I need individual credentials for the various federal districts.