1. What is the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system?
CM/ECF is an electronic system that allows attorneys to file petitions
and other electronic documents with designated United States courts
through the Internet by using a standard web browser. In addition, it
allows court personnel to manage the case electronically.
The result is 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.
24-hour availability for filing bankruptcy cases, adversary
proceeding and documents
Immediate confirmation to filers of documents
Automatic e-mail notice of case activity
24-hour access to electronic files
Print documents from your printer – no more copy requests or delays
View and print docket sheets, claims registers and other reports
Reduced paper and copying costs
Reduced courier and mailing costs
Multiple parties can view the same file simultaneously
Secure and reliable
3. Is there a fee for using CM/ECF?
There is no access or user fee to file documents electronically through
CM/ECF, although existing document filing fees do apply. Litigants
receive one free copy of documents filed electronically in their cases,
which they can save or print for their files.
All users, except government agencies, will be assessed a fee to view
CM/ECF cases and documents. Directed by Congress to fund electronic
access through user fees, the judiciary has set the fee at the lowest
possible level to recoup program costs. Currently, the fee is set seven
cents per page, with a maximum cost per document of $2.10. PACER
accounts will be required and may be obtained by either contacting the
PACER service center by telephone between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Monday-Friday CST at 800 676-6856, or via the its website at
http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov
4. Can any member of the public use CM/ECF to file documents with the
court?
No. Access to CM/ECF is available to authorized attorneys, trustees, and
on a limited basis to high volume creditors.
5. Since access is limited to authorized attorneys, is there any way for
pro se filers to file documents in CM/ECF cases?
Yes. The system also is capable of accepting paper input from pro se
filers as necessary. The court converts all paper filings to electronic
format by scanning and adding the scanned image into the CM/ECF system.
6. Can the general public view CM/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. PACER offers convenient electronic access to
case file documents, listing of all case parties, reports of case
related information, chronologies of events entered in the case record,
claim registries, and a calendar of events.
To defray the costs of PACER and CM/ECF, the Judicial Conference has set
a fee of seven cents per page for electronic court data via the
Internet, except for calendar information, for which there is no charge.
Parties entitled to documents as part of the legal process receive a
free electronic copy, although there will be charges for replacement
copies, whether in paper or electronic form.
7. How is payment of filing fees handled for
CM/ECF cases?
Attorneys that electronically file documents, which require a filing
fee, will be prompted at the end of their transaction to pay fees using
a credit card. Filers can choose to pay after every transaction or can
simply make one payment at the end of the day for all transactions.
8. How is the signature of an original signature (attorney and/or
debtor) handled for CM/ECF cases?
Attorney signatures:
When registering to use the system, attorneys sign an agreement to the
effect that use of their login name and password (whether by themselves
personally or by delegation to another person in their office)
constitutes their signatures on the documents electronically filed.
Debtor signatures:
For documents that must be signed by the debtor (petitions, schedules,
statements, etc.), originally executed paper copies must be kept. The
Court is currently reviewing rules to determine what signatures need to
be kept, how long and by whom. The electronically filed document will
indicate a signature, i.e. “/s/ Jane Doe”
For more information on this topic see the Administrative Procedures.
9. What about court generated documents that require certification?
On request, a copy of the document can be printed with the certification
or seal in the traditional manner, however, there is a fee of $9.50.
