Where to Pay Your Ticket Online
The U.S. Courts system operates a centralized payment portal at www.cvb.uscourts.gov where you can pay tickets and fines issued by federal courts. This is the official government website — not a third-party service — and it accepts payment directly from your bank account or credit card. You will need your case number and the amount owed before you start.
The site handles payments for violations in federal jurisdiction only. If your ticket was issued by a state, county, or municipal court, you will need to contact that court directly — this portal will not process those payments. Federal violations typically include offenses on federal property, federal highways, or violations of federal law prosecuted in U.S. District Courts.
Payment through this portal is one-way: money goes from you to the court. The system does not allow you to dispute the fine, request a payment plan, or communicate with the judge. If you need to do any of those things, you must contact the court by phone or mail after you have located your case information.
Key Takeaways
- The CVB portal at www.cvb.uscourts.gov processes payments for federal court fines and tickets only, not state or local court violations.
- You will need your case number and the exact amount owed before you can complete a payment.
- Payments are processed when ready once submitted, and you will receive a confirmation number for your records.
- If you need a payment plan, want to dispute the fine, or have questions about your case, contact the court directly by phone — the online system handles payment only.
What Information You Need Before You Pay
Gather these details before you log into the payment portal. You will not be able to search by name or date of birth — the system requires your case number, which appears on your ticket, citation, or court notice. If you have lost the original document, call the federal court that issued the ticket and ask for your case number. Have your driver's license or identification ready when you call.
You will also need to know the exact amount owed. The ticket or notice should show this clearly. If you have received multiple notices or are unsure whether you have paid part of the fine already, contact the court before you submit payment. Overpaying is possible, and refunds take several weeks to process.
Have a valid payment method ready: a debit card, credit card, or bank account information. The system charges a processing fee on top of the fine amount — this fee varies depending on your payment method and is shown before you confirm the transaction. You cannot pay by check, money order, or cash through this portal.
How to Submit Your Payment Step by Step
Step 1: Go to www.cvb.uscourts.gov and look for the payment option on the homepage. The site is straightforward — there is usually a button labeled "Pay Now" or "Make a Payment" in a prominent location.
Step 2: Enter your case number exactly as it appears on your ticket or court notice. Case numbers are specific to each court and violation, so accuracy matters. If you enter it incorrectly, the system will not find your case.
Step 3: Review the amount owed that appears on the screen. This is your final note to confirm the figure is correct before you proceed. If the amount does not match what you expected, stop and contact the court.
Step 4: Choose your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account. The system will show you the processing fee for each option. Credit cards often carry higher fees than bank accounts.
Step 5: Enter your payment information and billing address. The system uses encryption to protect your data. Do not close the browser or navigate away during this step, or your payment may not go through.
Step 6: Review the final total including the fine and the processing fee. Confirm that everything is correct, then submit the payment. You will receive a confirmation number when ready — write this down or take a screenshot.
What Happens After You Pay
Your payment is processed when ready, and the court receives notification within one business day. You will see a confirmation number on the screen and may receive an email receipt, depending on whether you provided an email address. Keep this confirmation number — it is your proof of payment if there is ever a dispute.
The court will update its records to show the fine as paid. This usually takes one to three business days. If you check your case status online and it still shows as unpaid after three days, contact the court to verify the payment went through. Processing delays are rare but do happen occasionally.
If you paid by credit or debit card, the charge will appear on your statement within two to five business days, depending on your bank. The description will show it as a payment to the U.S. Courts or the specific court that issued the ticket. If you paid from a bank account, the withdrawal happens when ready.
If You Cannot Pay the Full Amount Right Now
The CVB portal does not offer payment plans or partial payment options. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, you must contact the court directly by phone or mail to request a payment arrangement. The court has the authority to set up a plan, but you have to ask — the online system cannot do this for you.
When you call, have your case number ready and explain your situation. Courts are often willing to work with people who contact them before the important date passes. If you ignore the fine and do not pay or contact the court, the consequences escalate: the court may suspend your driver's license, report the debt to a collection agency, or issue a warrant for your arrest in serious cases.
Do not wait until the last day. If the ticket has a payment important date, contact the court at least a week before that date to discuss your options. The court staff can tell you whether a payment plan is possible and what documentation you need to provide.
Troubleshooting Common Payment Problems
Your case number is not found in the system: Double-check that you entered it correctly — case numbers are case-sensitive and must match exactly. If you are still not finding it, the ticket may not have been entered into the federal court system yet. Wait a few days and try again, or call the court to confirm your case number is correct.
Your payment is declined: This usually means your card or bank account has insufficient funds or the card has expired. Verify your payment method is valid and has enough balance. If you are using a debit card, check that your bank has not flagged the transaction as suspicious. Try again with a different card or payment method if you have one available.
You submitted payment but did not receive a confirmation number: Do not submit the payment again. Close the browser and wait 24 hours, then check your bank or credit card statement to see if the charge went through. If it did, contact the court with your transaction details. If it did not, try the payment again.
You paid but the court still shows the fine as unpaid: Processing delays of one to three days are normal. If more than three business days have passed, call the court and provide your confirmation number. The court can verify the payment was received and update the system manually if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a state or local traffic ticket through this website?
No. The CVB portal handles federal court fines only. State and local tickets must be paid through your state court system or the specific court that issued the ticket. Contact your state's court website or call the courthouse listed on your ticket for payment instructions.
What if I lost my ticket and do not have a case number?
Call the federal court that issued the ticket. Have your driver's license or identification ready. The court staff can look up your case by your name and the approximate date of the violation, then provide your case number. Once you have it, you can use the CVB portal to pay.
Is there a fee for paying online?
Yes. The CVB portal charges a processing fee on top of your fine amount. The fee varies depending on whether you pay by card or bank account and is shown on the screen before you confirm the transaction. This fee goes to the payment processor, not to the court.
Can I get a refund if I overpaid?
Yes, but refunds take several weeks to process. If you realize you overpaid before you submit, cancel the transaction and start over with the correct amount. If you have already submitted an overpayment, contact the court with your confirmation number and they will issue a refund to your original payment method.
What if I disagree with the fine or want to contest the ticket?
The online payment system does not handle disputes or appeals. Contact the court directly by phone or mail to discuss your case. You may have the right to request a hearing or submit a written response, but this must be done through the court, not through the payment portal. Do this before the payment important date if possible.