E-Filing Access Related Questions

  • Can I loan my login and password to another attorney who doesn’t have one?

    No. Each attorney is assigned an unique login and password. It constitutes the filing attorney's signature to the document. As is the case with paper filings, it is the filing attorney's responsibility for the document. If an attorney is not listed as counsel of record, but files a document to the case, they may be added as attorney of record inadvertently.

  • What happens if I do not consent to receive electronic notice?

    You are still obligated to electronically file documents in CM/ECF; however, service of all e-filed documents will be in the traditional manner, via US Postal Service.

    Please note that this selection pertains to both court filed and attorney filed documents. You cannot choose to be served by opposing counsel one way and the court another way. Also, in order to view copies of orders issued by the court in this district, the press visits the courthouse on a regular basis, sometimes daily, and runs a report of all orders and judgments issued. Service of documents via US Postal Service may be received after the press has viewed and reported on an issue.
     

  • How do I recover my password if I have forgotten it?

    If you have forgotten your CM/ECF password, please contact the CM/ECF Help Deskdesk for assistance.

  • If I am not an attorney, can I e-file?

    No. Currently, only attorneys who are registered CM/ECF users can e-file documents with the court.  Pursuant to Local Rule 5-4.3.4, use of an attorney’s CM/ECF login and password to file a document functions as the attorney’s signature on that document.  An attorney may share his CM/ECF login and password with support staff who are authorized to e-file documents on his behalf, but the attorney is ultimately responsible for every document filed using his CM/ECF login and password.

  • How do I add counsel to a case?

    To add counsel in a case, electronically file a Notice of Appearance or other such document in the specific case.

  • Can I use the login and password issued by another court to e-file in the Central District of California?

    No, each district court has its own registration requirements, e-filing policies and procedures. After an attorney has complied with the requirements of becoming an ECF User the court will issue a login and password.

    Once the initially assigned login and password is received, attorneys may change it through CM/ECF.

  • Why am I having problems with my E-filing login and password?

    Confirm the following:

    • Are you using the correct login and password? PACER and E-Filing in CM/ECF require two separate login and passwords. Please confirm you are using login and password assigned for electronic filing into the CM/ECF system.
    • Are you on the correct website? Please make sure you are clicking the Login to CM/ECF button on the right side bar. Each federal district court requires a separate login and password. Please confirm you are logging into the link associated with California Central District Court.
    • If you are accessing CM/ECF through PACER’s website for public query only, you only need your PACER login and password. You will not be able to e-file or view restricted documents.
    • If you are accessing CM/ECF through the E-Filing website, you first need to login using your E-Filing login and password. This will allow you to e-file documents. If you are in this website and want to query, you will be presented with a new login screen which will ask you for your PACER login and password.
    • If your login and password still does not work, please e-mail or call the CM/ECF Help Desk for assistance.
       
  • What should I do if I change my address, phone number, e-mail address or other pertinent information?

    Updates to an individual attorney record (attorney name, firm name, address, e-mail address) may be done by the attorney or authorized attorney staff. Pursuant to Local Rule 83/2-7, this must be done within 5 days of any change. In addition, the attorney must serve notice upon opposing or co-counsel of the changes. This is accomplished by either creating a Notice of Change of Address or by completing a Notice of Change of Attorney Information, G-06, and e-filing it in each pending case.

    Updates are made by logging into CM/ECF >Utilities (on the blue menu bar) and selecting Maintain Your Address for address changes or Maintain Your E-Mail Address for e-mail related changes.

    Making the Updates listed below, does not send notice to opposing counsel in your cases.

    Maintain Your Address: allows ECF Users to change their name, firm, address, phone number, etc. After making the necessary changes, click on the ‘submit’ button at the bottom of the screen. If the attorney has cases linked to his/her ECF User account, the list of those cases will appear on the screen.PLEASE USE CAUTION when choosing the — update all — option. If the attorney has not been terminated on any cases listed but is no longer associated with that case, choosing the update all option will result in your address of record updating all pending and terminated cases.

    Maintain Your E-Mail Address: Allows ECF Users to change their primary e-mail address and, if so desired, add/delete any secondary e-mail addresses PLEASE USE CAUTION when choosing the — update all — option (especially if the attorney is a former government attorney). If the attorney has not been terminated on any cases listed but is no longer associated with that case, choosing the update all option will result in your address of record on all cases to reflected on the docket in all the cases.

    WARNING: Adding a primary e-mail address to your ECF User record, where no e-mail address previously existed, constitutes consent to electronic service by the attorney. If an attorney does not consent to electronic service, the attorney must remove the e-mail address from his/her ECF User record and insert the following opt-out language in the Unit field of their ECF User record. "ATTORNEY DOES NOT CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC SERVICE". The Unit field is accessed by going to the Maintain Your Address.

    Attorneys are solely responsible for keeping their information current and filing the appropriate documents in pertinent cases.

  • What should be done when an attorney leaves the firm?

    The attorney leaving the firm needs to change his/her address and e-mail in the CM/ECF system. Please make sure to only update cases leaving the firm that will be going with the attorney to their new office.  The attorney also needs to e-file a Notice of Change of Attorney Information,G-06, in each case he/she will continue to represent. This satisfies the requirement of Local Rule 83. 2-7, requiring notification of all counsel of address, etc, changes.

    Please note that even if your profile is updated, you will continue to receive notices in cases from the old firm, until you are terminated in the case. If cases remain with the firm, the firm will need to ensure that the Court docket accurately reflects the proper attorney of record and that the new attorney of record is properly set up to receive e-mail notifications. This is done by e-filing, a Notice of Change of Attorney Information, G-06, in each pending case indicating the new attorneys information. If the newly assigned attorney does not make sure the correct attorney information is reflected on the case, the previous attorney will continue to receive the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) and the newly assigned attorney will not receive notice of any case activity.

    Law firms may also wish to consider the best method of handling e-mail notices from the Court addressed to the attorney who left the firm. Summarily removing the attorney from the firm's e-mail system with no further action, may result in e-mail notices from the court notifications being missed. Firms may wish to consider whether their own e-mail systems should forward such e-mails from the Court to the attorney at his/her new address, or to another attorney within the firm.

  • Why can I get a docket sheet, but not any of the documents provided?

    This court did not become a full e-filing court until January 1, 2008. If the document number is not underlined (a link), the document was filed prior to the full e-filing date and is not attached to the docket sheet. These documents can be viewed in the Records section at the courthouse. For details, please go to the Records Department page.

    This issue may also occur if you are using an incompatible browser. Check your browser settings. Also confirm that you have a PDF viewing software installed (ie Adobe Reader) You may have PDF viewing software on your computer but have not connected it to a browser.

    Attorneys using MacIntosh/Apple computers and software are recommended to use the latest version of Safari or download the free version of Mozilla Firefox and use this browser for all CM/ECF related transactions.

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