Simple Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Permanent Court Records

What This Does

Creates tamper-proof court documents that can never be changed or lost, stored permanently on the internet with blockchain verification.

Step 1: Set Up Your Storage Account (Pinata)

What it is: Think of this like a permanent cloud storage that never goes down.

1. Go to pinata.cloud

2. Click "Sign Up"

3. Use your email and create a password

4. Check your email and click the verification link

5. Choose the Free Plan (good for testing)

   
   

Get Your Keys:

1. Click "API Keys" in your dashboard

2. Click "New Key"

3. Check the boxes for uploading files

4. Name it "Court Records"

5. Save the key and secret - you'll need these later

   
   

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

1. Put all court documents in one folder on your computer

2. Name them clearly (like "case-123-filing.pdf")

3. Make sure they're in PDF format

   
   

Step 3: Upload Documents and Get Codes

Upload Method (Easy Way):

1. Go back to Pinata dashboard

2. Click "Upload" → "File"

3. Select your court document

4. Add details like case number and date

5. Click "Upload"

   
   

You'll Get Two Important Codes:

• CID Code: Looks like QmX7M9C... (this is your document's permanent address)

• Hash Code: A long string of letters/numbers (this proves the document hasn't been changed)

  
  

Write these down! You need them for the next step.

Step 4: Set Up Blockchain Account (Stellar)

What it is: This creates a permanent, unchangeable record that the document exists.

1. Go to laboratory.stellar.org

2. Click "Create Account"

3. Save your keys (public and secret) - keep the secret key VERY safe

4. For testing, get free test money at friendbot.stellar.org

   
   

Step 5: Create Your Permanent Record

You'll need to run a simple program that:

1. Takes your document's CID code

2. Takes your document's hash code

3. Stores them permanently on the blockchain

4. Creates a record ID number

   
   

The program does this automatically:

• Connects to your Stellar account

• Creates a permanent record with timestamp

• Links to your document on Pinata

• Gives you a record number

  
  

Step 6: Verify Everything Works

Test your system:

1. Use your record ID number

2. Check that it shows the correct CID code

3. Check that the document opens from the CID

4. Verify the hash matches (proves no tampering)

   
   

What You End Up With

For each court document, you get:

• Record ID: A number to find your record (like a filing number)

• CID Code: Permanent web address for your document

• Hash Code: Fingerprint that proves document is unchanged

• Blockchain Entry: Permanent, tamper-proof record with timestamp

• Web Link: Anyone can view at https://gateway.pinata.cloud/ipfs/[YOUR-CID]

  
  

Why This Works

1. Document stored on IPFS: Can never be lost or deleted

2. Hash code: If anyone changes even one letter, the hash changes

3. Blockchain record: Permanent timestamp that can't be faked

4. Public verification: Anyone can check if documents are real

   
   

Result: You have court records that are:

• ✅ Permanent (can't be deleted)

• ✅ Tamper-proof (can't be changed)

• ✅ Publicly verifiable (anyone can check authenticity)

• ✅ Timestamped (proves when they were filed)

  
  

Daily Use

To file a new document:

1. Upload to Pinata → Get CID and hash

2. Store CID and hash on blockchain → Get record ID

3. Done! Document is now permanent and verifiable

   
   

To verify a document:

1. Enter the record ID

2. System checks if hash matches

3. Green checkmark = document is authentic and unchanged

This creates an unbreakable chain of evidence for all court proceedings.