What do I Need
to Get Started?

     In order to file electronically, an attorney must be admitted to practice before the Court and must have previously registered to file electronically. Attorney Admission forms are available here, and Electronic Filing Registration forms are available from the CM/ECF Registration page, or from the Clerk’s Office at any Court location.

     In order to view electronically filed documents, you must also have a PACER ID and password for yourself or your law firm. If you do not already have a PACER account for yourself or your law firm, you may register for one online at the PACER Service Center here. 

     The system requirements to use CM/ECF are minimal and inexpensive. Many law firms will already have most or all of the necessary software and hardware. You will need:

• A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or the Macintosh OS.

• A PDF-compatible word processor like Macintosh or Windows-based versions of Corel WordPerfect or Microsoft Word. 

• Internet service. 

• Netscape Navigator version 4.7 (Netscape 6 is not recommended for use with CM/ECF), or Internet Explorer 5.5. 

• Software to convert documents from a word processor format to portable document format (PDF).
  Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer is recommended. Acrobat Writer Version 3.X, 4.X and 5.0 adequately meet the CM/ECF filing requirements. 

• Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free, is needed for viewing PDF documents. 

• A scanner may be necessary to create electronic images of documents that are not in your word processing system.