Technical CM/ECF Related Questions
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Why is my CM/ECF session freezing?
There are several issues that may cause your CM session to freeze:
- If you are accessing CM/ECF through a DSL or dial-up connection, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be having issues and you may no longer be connected.
- Check the Court’s Website for announcements regarding CM/ECF issues. If there are no announced outages or other issues, wait for a few minutes and try e-filing again.
- If you find your session freezing after you have hit “NEXT,” try using the “Back” button to return to the previous screen and click “NEXT” again.
- If you click the “Back” button and receive a “page cannot be displayed” error message, click on the “Back” button once more. The error may mean that your document has not been attached and will need to be reattached. It may be better to start over so the issue does not happen again.
- If the freezing appears after clicking the “SUBMIT” button, please be patient. If you have a large document, it will take time for the system to upload it. If the NEF is not displayed after several minutes, check the case docket sheet to see if the document was filed successfully. If the document was not successfully filed call the CM/ECF Help Desk for assistance and DO NOT RE-FILE the documents.
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How do I know if my electronic filing was successful?
The last screen you see when you electronically file a document is a copy of the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF). If you see the NEF, you know that your filing was successful. Another way to verify your filing is to view a copy of the case docket. However, if you do this, PACER fees may be incurred.
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What kind of notification does the attorney of record receive on a case?
When a non-sealed document is e-filed though CM/ECF, a Notice of Electronic Filing (“NEF”) is automatically generated and e-mailed to all attorneys of record for parties who have appeared in the case who are registered CM/ECF users, as well as to pro se parties who have chosen to register for electronic service. The NEF includes the text of the docket entry, the unique electronic document stamp, a list of the case participants receiving e-mail notification of the filing, and a hyperlink to the document filed. Clicking on the hyperlink will allow the recipient to access the document on PACER. The NEF will list all email addresses to which electronic notice was sent. CM/ECF Users can choose whether to receive one summary email listing all NEFs received in a day or an individual email for every individual NEF. For instructions on how to adjust this setting in your CM/ECF account, see www.cacd.uscourts.gov/e-filing/maintaining-current-contact-information.
Attorneys of record and pro se parties who are not registered CM/ECF Users must be served by other methods, such as U.S. mail or personal service. A traditional proof of service is required for every document served on any party by any method other than through CM/ECF. See Local Rule 5-3.2.
When a SEALED document is e-filed through CM/ECF, a NEF will be generated and emailed, alerting registered CM/ECF users in the case that the document has been filed. However, only the filing party's attorneys will be able to access the document on PACER, so the filer cannot rely on the NEF to effect service of the document. Service must be made by alternative means, and a proof of service included when the document is filed. See Local Rule 79-5.3.
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Which browsers work with CM/ECF?
Click here for a list of compatible browsers.
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I have logged into CM/ECF but I do not see all of the docket entries on the Docket Sheet. Why?
First, make sure that the Filed/Entered Dates on the report criteria selection screen cover the appropriate dates.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, the cache on your computer may be full. Cache is a location on your hard drive where data from your browser is stored. When you search the internet, your browser keeps track of every page you have visited and saves this information on your hard drive. If this file becomes large (i.e., many pages have been searched), the result may be a loss of data. Clear your cache for whichever browser you have been using.
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What does Page Not Available mean when I use the back button during an e-filing session?
The "Page Not Available" message means that your document has been dropped from the docket entry and must be reattached. It is usually best to just start over by clicking on the Civil or Criminal Menu. However, you can just use the back button until a CM/ECF e-filing screen appears then continue your e-filing by reattaching your document(s) to the docket entry.
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Why can’t I access a previous page viewed by clicking on the "Back" button?
A web browser may open multiple windows. The previous page may be open in a different window.
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How do I access the Docket Report to view activity for a specific case?
While logged in to CM/ECF, click "Reports" on the menu bar at the top of the screen. Then select "Docket Sheet."
Alternatively, you may click "Query" instead of "Reports," then enter your case number.
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How can I be sure I’m attaching the correct document?
When you browse to the appropriate document name, highlight the document name and right click it. Then click “open.” This will open the document so you can see whether or not you’ve chosen the right document. If it’s the correct one, close the image and double click on the file name to attach it in the browse screen.
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How do I attach a document to an entry?
When prompted to attach a document during the filing process, click on the “browse” button and locate the folder on your computer system where the PDF document you want to attach has been saved. Then select the name of the document or pleading to be e-filed and double click on the image file or click “open.” The file path to the document appears in the box that says “file name.” If you do not have any additional attachments to the main document click on the “Next” button.
If you have additional documents to attach to the main document, click "Yes" next to the radio button that states, “Attachments to Document.” Select the “Browse” button to search for the file name of the document to be attached.
In the field for category type, select the dropdown arrow and a list of options will be displayed. Select the type of attachment (e.g., appendix, exhibit, etc.). If none of the selections apply, do not select anything in the dropdown menu.
You must enter a description for the attachment in the description box. Click the “Add to List” button so the description will appear in the docket text and when looking at the separate attachments. This enables the Court and counsel to know exactly what the attachment is (i.e., Motion for Summary Judgment pages 25-50, Exhibits 2-10, etc.). If the description is not there, only “(Attachments:) 1, 2, 3, 4,” etc. will display on the docket entry and in the attachment list.
The system will add the selected document as an attachment to the document. The file name of each new attachment will appear in the window next to the “Add to List” button. Once all attachments have been added to the attachment window, select the “next” button to proceed to the next screen.
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What hardware and software will attorneys need to participate in CM/ECF?
Visit our Software and Hardware requirements page for details.
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How can I learn who is receiving Notices of Electronic Filing in a case, and who is not, so I know who I need to serve by other means?
Click “Utilities” on the menu bar at the top of the screen. On the resulting screen, under “Miscellaneous,” click “Mailings,” then “Mailing Info for a Case.” Enter the case number and click “Submit.”
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How do I file an Audio recording or non-paper document?
Non-paper documents cannot be filed. You may only lodge a copy of a recording or other non-paper document. Please refer to Local Rule 11-5.1, Non-Paper Physical Exhibits.
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How do I add or modify a secondary e-mail address associated with an individual attorney record?
Attorneys may add secondary e-mail addresses to their e-filing accounts. Click here for instructions. The Court encourages attorneys to add no more than two secondary e-mail addresses.
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How do I check the date and time a document was e-filed ?
This information is included in the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF). From the docket, click the silver ball next to the docket entry for the document at issue.
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How do I access the option to “View Your Transaction Log”?
While logged in to CM/ECF, click “Utilities” on the menu bar at the top of the screen. On the resulting screen, click “View Your Transaction Log” and enter the date(s) for which you want to see documents filed with your username and password.
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Can I view or print a Notice of Electronic Filing from the docket?
Login to CM/ECF, then click “Reports” in the blue menu bar at the top of the screen. Select “Docket Sheet.” Enter the case number and make sure that the “Include links to notices of electronic filing” box is checked. Click “Run Report.” From the docket, click the round silver ball next to the docket entry for which you wish to view or print the Notice of Electronic Filing.
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A document was filed in error. How can it be removed from the docket?
No changes can be made to the official docket without judicial authority.
You must file a Notice of Errata indicating that the previous filing was made in error. During the docketing of the Notice of Errata, link it to the document that was incorrectly filed. Then re-file that document as an “Amended” or “Corrected” version.
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I tried to e-file a document, but while a docket entry was created, no document is attached. What should I do?
If the docket entry appears on the docket sheet but there’s no silver ball next to the document, it means the Notice of Electronic Filing was not created and counsel were not served with the docuemnt. Refile the document as an "Amended" or "Corrected" document and link to the document which was not served.
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When I click on the document link in a Notice of Electronic Filing email, it prompts me for a login and password. When I enter my CM/ECF login and password, it tells me my login failed. Why? What do I do?
1. In civil cases, the first time anyone (you, your staff, or anyone to whom you forward the email) clicks on a document link within an NEF, the system should display the document without requiring a login. For each subsequent viewing, you will be required to log in to PACER and be subject to incurring PACER fees.
2. In criminal cases, even the first time you click on a document link within an NEF, the system will require you to enter your PACER login and password, Thongh you will not be charged the first time you view the document. For each subsequent viewing, you will be required to login to PACER and be subject to incurring PACER fees.
3. Certain cases or documents (for instance, Social Security appeals) are subject to additional viewing restrictions and can only be accessed online by counsel of record. Therefore, even the first time you click on a document link within an NEF the system will require you to enter your PACER login and password. You will not be charged the first time you view a document. For each subsequent viewing, you will be required to log in to PACER and be subject to incurring PACER fees.