To view documents filed in the CM/ECF system you will need:
- A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh
- Internet access
- National Registration with PACER for access to electronically filed cases
- Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher browser
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) to view PDF documents
To file documents into the CM/ECF system requires the following hardware & software:
- All of the items listed in the how to view section above
- Word Processor software
- PDF-conversion software such as Adobe Acrobat
- A scanner may be necessary to create electronic images of documents not on your computer
- A separate ECF login/password (note: this is not the same as a PACER login/password)
The electronic case files system accepts documents in a portable document format (PDF). PDF retains the way a document looks, so the pages, fonts and other formatting are preserved. Filing a document with the court's CM/ECF system is quite easy:
- Create the document using word processing software
- Save the document in PDF format
- Log onto the court's CM/ECF system, using a court-issued login and password.
- Follow the set of simple prompts to provide information about the case, party and document to be filed.
- Attach the PDF document and submit it to the court for filing (by pressing a submit button)
- Save or print the CM/ECF electronic receipt emailed from the court confirming that the document was filed
Savings in time and expenditure for attorney, reducing costly courier services and postage.
We are providing Rich Site Summary (RSS) feed for anyone that would like to us a RSS reader to monitor filings in court cases. A list of all events relating to Answers, Appeals, Court, Motion and Orders entered on the docket are displayed and includes activity for the last 24-hour period. The feed is updated once per hour. No restricted or sealed information is included. This feed is located at: https://ecf.idb.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rss_outside.pl