How to Search the DOJ Epstein Library: A Complete Guide

What Is the DOJ Epstein Library?

On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a public online portal — commonly referred to as the DOJ Epstein Library — at justice.gov/epstein. This portal was created in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the unanimously passed law requiring the government to collect and publicly release records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

The library contains approximately 3.5 million pages of documents, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. It represents the largest single release of government records in the history of the Epstein case and is freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

How to Access the Library

The Epstein Library is accessed through the DOJ's official website:

URL: https://www.justice.gov/epstein

No account registration is required. The portal is publicly accessible and free to use. Documents can be viewed in a web browser and downloaded in PDF format.

Understanding the Document Categories

The released records span multiple categories of government files. Understanding these categories helps focus your search:

FBI Investigation Files

Records from the FBI's investigations of Epstein, including agent reports (FD-302 forms), evidence logs, surveillance records, and internal communications. These files cover the Palm Beach investigation (2005-2007), the SDNY investigation (2018-2019), and related inquiries.

DOJ Prosecution Records

Internal Department of Justice documents related to the prosecution of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including case memoranda, email correspondence between prosecutors, witness interview summaries, and case strategy documents.

Bureau of Prisons Records

Administrative and operational records from Epstein's detention at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, including incident reports, visitor logs, and institutional correspondence. Medical records are largely redacted under privacy exemptions.

Financial Records

Banking documents, wire transfer records, and financial analyses prepared by investigators tracking the flow of money through Epstein's network of companies and accounts. These records document transactions involving JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, and other financial institutions.

Court Filings and Legal Documents

Court documents from multiple proceedings, including the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement negotiations, the 2019 SDNY prosecution, and the Maxwell trial. Some of these records were previously available through court dockets but are now consolidated in one location.

Communications

Emails, letters, and other communications seized during searches of Epstein's properties or obtained through subpoena during investigations. This category includes correspondence between Epstein and various associates, employees, and contacts.

Search Strategies

Given the enormous volume of records — 3.5 million pages — effective search strategies are essential. Here are approaches for different research goals:

Searching by Name

To find references to a specific individual, use the portal's search function with the person's full name in quotation marks. Be aware that:

Names may appear in various formats (first name, last name, initials, nicknames)
Some names may be partially redacted
A name appearing in a document does not imply wrongdoing or awareness of criminal activity

Searching by Date Range

If you're researching events during a specific period — such as the 2007 NPA negotiations or the 2019 arrest — filter by date range to narrow results to the relevant timeframe.

Searching by Document Type

The library categorizes documents by type (FBI reports, prosecution records, financial documents, etc.). Using these filters can help you focus on the specific category of evidence most relevant to your research.

Searching by Case Number

If you're tracking a specific legal proceeding, search by the case number:

19-cr-00490 — United States v. Epstein (SDNY)
20-cr-330 — United States v. Maxwell (SDNY)
15-cv-07433 — Giuffre v. Maxwell (civil)
07-80018-CR — 2007 Florida proceedings

Cross-Referencing with Other Sources

The DOJ Library is most valuable when used alongside other public records:

CourtListener (courtlistener.com) — Federal court dockets and filings
FBI Vault (vault.fbi.gov/jeffrey-epstein) — Previously released FBI FOIA records
PACER (pacer.uscourts.gov) — Federal court electronic records (small per-page fee)

What to Watch For When Reading Documents

When reviewing documents from the Epstein Library, several factors are important to keep in mind:

Redactions

Many documents contain redactions — blacked-out sections where information has been withheld. Redactions are applied under the Transparency Act's narrow exemptions for victim identities, ongoing law enforcement operations, classified information, and personal privacy. Some redactions have been disputed by members of Congress who have reviewed unredacted versions.

Context of Mentions

A person's name appearing in an investigative file can mean many things: they may have been a witness, a person of interest, a victim, a professional contact, or simply someone whose name appeared in seized records. Being mentioned in the files does not indicate guilt, complicity, or awareness of criminal activity. Always examine the specific context in which a name appears.

Document Provenance

Pay attention to who created a document and when. An FBI agent's interview summary reflects what a witness told the agent, not necessarily established fact. A prosecution memorandum reflects one attorney's analysis, not a court finding. Understanding the source and purpose of each document is essential for accurate interpretation.

Incomplete Records

The released 3.5 million pages represent approximately half of the 6 million pages the DOJ identified as responsive. Some records may be missing context that exists in unreleased documents. Additionally, documents may reference other files, exhibits, or evidence that is not included in the public release.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Researchers should be aware of common pitfalls when working with the Epstein Library:

Assuming guilt by association. The single most common error is treating a mention in the files as evidence of wrongdoing. The files contain records of Epstein's extensive social, business, and personal network — the vast majority of people named in the files had no involvement in criminal activity.

Taking single documents out of context. Any individual document should be understood within the broader body of evidence. A single email, flight log entry, or interview summary may appear incriminating or exculpatory without the context provided by surrounding records.

Ignoring redactions. Redacted sections may contain information that significantly changes the meaning of visible text. Drawing firm conclusions from partially redacted documents should be done cautiously.

Relying on social media summaries. Since the release, social media has been flooded with decontextualized excerpts and misleading summaries. Always consult original documents rather than relying on secondary characterizations.

Additional Public Sources for Epstein Documents

Beyond the DOJ Library, several other repositories contain Epstein-related public records:

Source	URL	Content
FBI Vault	vault.fbi.gov/jeffrey-epstein	FBI FOIA records
CourtListener	courtlistener.com	Court dockets and filings
PACER	pacer.uscourts.gov	Federal court records
DOJ USAO-SDNY	justice.gov/usao-sdny	Press releases and indictments
USVI DOJ	vi.gov/attorney-general	USVI AG filings

The Ongoing Analysis

The analysis of 3.5 million pages is a long-term project. Major news organizations, academic researchers, and advocacy groups are systematically working through the records. Significant findings have been emerging daily since the release, and this pace is expected to continue for months.

We will continue to provide analysis and context for major findings as they emerge. For the latest developments, see our news coverage and document library.

Sources

All information sourced to the DOJ's official publications and press releases, Congress.gov, and verified reporting from CBS News. Links above.