Exceptions to Electronic Filing

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Even for users authorized to file documents electronically, some documents may not be e-filed, and must instead be presented to the Clerk for filing or lodging in paper format. A list of such documents is set forth below.

Civil Matters

If you are a pro se litigant who has been granted leave to file documents electronically in a particular case, the following documents MAY NOT be e-filed using the Court's CM/ECF System; however, check your assigned judge's Procedures to find out if you are required to submit any of these documents by email.
  • Documents filed under seal or in camera
  • Applications for leave to file under seal or in camera
  • Proposed orders to seal or file in camera

If you are an attorney, these documents MUST be e-filed using the Court's CM/ECF System if they are subsequent documents filed in an otherwise un-sealed, public civil case.  Case-initiating documents filed under seal or with an application for leave to file the case under seal, and subsequent documents filed in sealed cases, must be presented to the Clerk for filing or lodging in paper format.  See amended Local Rule 79-5.2, effective 12/1/2015.

Criminal Matters

The following documents MAY NOT be filed electronically; however, conformed copies of these documents, once filed or issued, must also be submitted by email in PDF format by close of business the following business day:
  • Criminal case-initiating documents, including:
Indictments
Informations
Complaints
  • Documents filed in criminal duty matters handled by a magistrate judge, including:
under-seal and in-camera documents
bond-related documents
affidavits re out-of-district warrants
applications for:
pen registers
search warrants
seizure warrants
arrest warrants
wiretaps
cell site information
tracking services
 
The following documents MAY NOT be filed or submitted electronically, UNLESS your assigned judge’s standing orders direct otherwise; be sure to review your assigned judge’s Procedures before filing:
  • Documents filed under seal or in camera
  • Applications for leave to file under seal or in camera
  • Proposed orders to seal or file in camera
Email PDF versions of criminal documents, if required, to the division to which the case is assigned, as follows (unless the assigned judge’s standing orders direct otherwise):