CM/ECF Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Electronic Case Filing (ECF)?

2. What are the benefits and features of using ECF?

3. How do I access ECF?

4. What is needed to use ECF?

5. What is Adobe Acrobat?

6. How is payment of filing fees handled through ECF?

7. How is the requirement of an original signature handled for ECF cases?

8. Can an attorney authorize someone to use their login and password to file documents in CM/ECF?

9. Is the system SSL (Secure Socket Layer) enabled?

10. Can the general public view ECF cases and the documents in those cases?

11.Will there be restrictions on who may file documents on CM/ECF?

12. Will the creator of the docket entry be verified?

13. How many users can submit documents at once?How many people at a time may view a document?How many people at a time may view the docket? Is there a limit to the number of aliases a party may have?

14. Does CM/ECF check for duplicate filings when a user opens a case?In other words, when a party name is entered, will the system alert the user to other cases in which the filer appears?

General  Questions

1. What is  Electronic Case Filing (ECF)?

ECF allows attorneys to file petitions and other electronic documents with designated United States Courts through the Internet by using a standard web browser.  This results in a completely electronic "case file" that does not have any papers associated with it at the court.  Therefore, all case information is available for examination electronically through the Internet, again through the use of a standard web browser.  ECF has become the primary method for filing documents with the court and for retrieving case information from the court.
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2. What are the benefits and features of using ECF?

a.) registered attorneys are able to file and retrieve documents 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

b.) full case information is available to attorneys, parties and the general public through the Internet. This includes  the ability to view the full text of all filed documents.

c.) attorneys registered on the system receive notices of filed documents electronically,

d.) since ECF uses Internet standard software, the out-of-pocket cost of partcipation for atttorneys  is typically very low.
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3. How do I access ECF?

ECF can be used to file documents or to retrieve case information, including documents.  To file using ECF, a filing login and password is required.  The Court issues logins and passwords for filing and these are issued to attoneys only.
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4. What is needed to use ECF?

Access to the Internet, Netscape Navigator or communicator, and Adobe Acrobat Exchange 3.9 or greater.  If a modem is used to connect to the Internet, it should have a speed of at least 56K. A DSL or cable modem line should be used in lieu of a standard telephone line. Netscape 6 is not recommended for use with CM/ECF.  We recommend using Netscape Navigator versions 4.6 through 4.8 or Netscape Communicator versions 4.5 through 4.7. It is recommended that you don´t use America Online (AOL). Your browser must support 128-bit encryption for the internet credit card payment screen to function properly. You must disable any pop up blockers to receive the payment screen.

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5. What is Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat Exchange is commercial software from Adobe that allows a document to be saved in PDF (portable document format).  All documents filed in ECF must be in PDF. Acrobat Exhange is available from commercial software retailers. Adobe also distributes Acrobat Reader which allows PDF Documents to be viewed and printed (but not to create).
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6. How is payment of filing fees handled for ECF cases?

Payments are made interactively as part of the electronic filing process. You may choose to pay after every transaction or make one payment at the end of the day for all transactions. Details are available in the Internet Credit Card Payment Attorney Manual at

https://ecf.almb.uscourts.gov/USBC/ICCManual.pdf

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7. How is the requirement of an original signature handled for ECF cases?

When registering to use the system, attorneys sign an agreement to the effect that use of their login name and password constitutes their signatures on the document electronically filed.  For documents that must be signed by the debtor , the electronically filed document will indicates a signature, e.g. "/s/ Jane Doe".
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8. Can an attorney authorize someone to use the attoney´s login and password to file documents in ECF?

Yes, but the court recommends that such access be very limited.  since whatever is filed under that name and password is deemed to have the attorneys signature on it.
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9. Is the system SSL (Secure Socket Layer) enabled?

Yes.
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10. Can the general public view ECF cases and the documents in those cases?

Access to view cases and documents in CM/ECF is available to anyone with a PACER login and password.
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11.Will there be restrictions on who may file documents on CM/ECF?

Our court determines to whom filing logins and passwords are issued. We are currently providing document filing access principally to attorneys, BA´s office, trustees, and claim filers.
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12. Will the creator of the docket entry be identified?

Yes, All entries can be identified by the name of the person that logged in and submitted the entry.
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13. How many users can submit documents at once?How many people at a time may view a document? How many people at a time may view the docket? Is there a limit to the number of aliases a party may have?

There is no fixed limit.
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14. Does CM/ECF check for duplicate filings when a user opens a case? In other words, when a party name is entered, will the system alert the user to other cases in which the filer appears?

The CM/ECF software does not automatically check for duplicate filings. However, when adding a participant to a case, a pick list is presented with the names of parties that are already in the database.
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