CM/ECF is the U.S. federal courts' electronic system for maintaining case files and accepting documents filed over the Internet. It covers appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts. Attorneys and the public can view and download case information, docket sheets, and filed documents through PACER, subject to court restrictions. A central sign-on account provides access to PACER and electronic filing, but filing also requires a PACER account and access issued by the individual court. Where a court permits it, registered attorneys can file online at any time. Electronic submissions create docket entries and update docket sheets immediately; the system then emails a Notice of Electronic Filing with links to the document and docket sheet to the filer and registered case participants. CM/ECF accepts PDF documents. Filers must acknowledge their responsibility to redact personal identifier information each time they log in. Courts provide CM/ECF training, while PACER offers learning aids and FAQs. Filing online has no added fee, though existing court filing fees still apply; PACER charges for viewing additional case records.
Who it is for
CM/ECF suits attorneys and other users handling filings in U.S. federal appellate, district, or bankruptcy courts. Some courts also allow bankruptcy claimants and self-represented litigants to file.
What is good
- Covers federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
- Electronic filings update docket sheets immediately.
- Sends filing notices with links to documents and docket sheets.
- Online filing has no added fee.
What to know first
- Filing requires court-issued access and a PACER account.
- PACER charges for viewing additional case records.
- Documents must be submitted in PDF format.
- Filers must address redaction of personal identifiers.
Verdict
CM/ECF supports electronic filing and docket updates for the covered federal courts. Users should confirm court access requirements and account for PACER charges when viewing additional case records.
CM/ECF plans and pricing
All plansCompared on legal e-filing software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Court coverage
- U.S. federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts
- Filing status tracking
- Yes
- Electronic service
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- web
