Frequently Asked Questions

In January 1996, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts began development of the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system. CM/ECF is a comprehensive case management system that will allow courts to maintain electronic case files and offer electronic filing over the Internet. Courts can make all case information immediately available electronically through the Internet. Eventually, CM/ECF will replace the current case management systems used by the federal courts across the country.

Why Electronic Case Files?

Judges, court staff, and the public now have the capability to access electronic docket information, case management data and legal research materials. As most documents are now initially created first in electronic form, the federal courts can further reduce the reliance on paper records by establishing electronic case file systems. These systems should enhance the accuracy, management and security of records, reduce delays in the flow of information and achieve cost savings for the judiciary, the bar and litigants.

What are the benefits and features of using CM/ECF?

There are a number of significant benefits and features:

Courts can allow registered attorneys to file documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Reduction of paper, photocopy, postage and courier costs.
Full case information is available immediately to attorneys, parties, and the general public through the Internet. This includes the ability to view the full text of all filed documents.
Attorneys on the system will receive email notices electronically in CM/ECF cases. This greatly speeds delivery and eliminates the costs to both the court and attorneys of handling and mailing paper notices.
Multiple parties can view the same case files simultaneously.
Since CM/ECF uses Internet standard software, the out-of-pocket cost of participation for attorneys is typically very low.

What is the cost for using CM/ECF?

There are no additional Court costs associated with the filing aspect of the CM/ECF system

Who developed CM/ECF?

All software for the project has been developed by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

What types of cases are designated for electronic filing?

All Civil and Criminal cases are designated for electronic filing with exceptions as outlined in General Order 08-02.

Which personal data identifiers should be redacted?

Social Security Numbers, Taxpayer identification numbers, names of minors, dates of birth, financial account numbers, home address. Please refer to the E-Government Act of 2002 with amendments in 2004 for identified personal identifiers and the current E-Filing General Order.

Are proofs of service needed on electronically filed documents?

Please refer to the current E-filing General Order. At the conclusion of your electronic filing entry you will receive a screen referred to as the NEF (Notice of Electronic Filing). At the bottom of this screen the parties to the case will be listed designating which were served electronically. Any parties not served electronically will need to be served in the traditional manner and a proof of service will be needed.

Where should the courtesy copies of e-filed documents be delivered?

Check each individual judges Procedures and Schedules on the Court's website for specific instructions.

Where do I find out if a Judge requires courtesy paper copies be delivered to the Chambers or to the Clerk's office?

Go to the court's website and click on Judges' Procedures and Schedules > Courtesy Copies on E-Filed Documents.

What information is required on the address label when mailing courtesy paper copies of electronically filed documents via Federal Express or other overnight delivery service to Judges who require courtesy paper copies delivered to their Chambers?

The following information must be included. Do NOT address the package to "Clerk's Office" as this will delay delivery to the judge.

U. S. District Court
Chambers of Judge ___________________
Courthouse Address and Room Number*
City, State, Zip Code

Example:
U. S. District Court
Chambers of Judge John Smith
312 North Spring Street, Room 1234
Los Angeles, CA 90012

*Courthouse addresses and room numbers for the judges chambers are available on the Court Directory at www.cacd.uscourts.gov (provide hyperlink). Do not use the courtroom number.

Other requirements:
Check the box FedEx Priority Overnight to ensure package is delivered the next business morning.
Check the box "No Signature Required" under Residential Delilvery Signature Options.

Judge's Name
United States District Court
Office of the Clerk
Courthouse Address and Clerk's Office Room Number*
City, State, Zip

Example:
Judge John Smith
United States District Court
Office of the Clerk
312 North Spring Street, Room G-8
Los Angeles, Ca 90012

*Courthouse addresses and clerk's office room numbers are available on the Court Directory at www.cacd.uscourts.gov (provide hyperlink).

Other requirements:
Check the box FedEx Priority Overnight to ensure package is delivered the next business morning.
Check the box "Direct Signature" under Residential Delivery Signature Options.

What is the procedure for requesting a modification to the default “summary” e-mail notification setting associated with the individual attorney record?

Attorneys may request to modify the default “summary” e-mail notification setting associated with their individual attorney record after class at the time they complete training, or in writing via an e-mail request sent by the individual attorney to the Court's ECF Help Desk at ecf-helpdesk@cacd.uscourts.gov. All e-mail notification setting update requests sent to the ECF Help Desk by the attorney should include the attorney's full name, California Bar Id, CM/ECF Login Id (no password required), address, telephone number and their preferred e-mail notification setting.

Does the Court permit e-mail address updates by e-mail? If so, what is the e-mail address to which such requests should be sent, what information (to identify the attorney, etc.) does the Court need to include in the e-mail? Does the Court permit multiple requests in a single e-mail?

Requests to add/update a secondary e-mail address to the individual attorney person record must be submitted to the Court's ECF Help Desk at ecf-helpdesk@cacd.uscourts.gov by the individual attorney, on an attorney-by-attorney basis.

Updates to the individual attorney record (i.e. Attorney name, firm name, street address, telephone number, email address & facsimile number), must be submitted to the Court on form G-76. In addition, a notice of change fo attorney information, form G-6, must also be filed on each pending case, Local Rule 83-2.7.

Training at the Court (ONLY) Related Questions

Is training mandatory?

Yes, in the district court for the Central District of California training for electronic filing is mandatory.

I’ve attended an electronic filing class in another district, will I still be required to attend training in the Central District of California?

No. You can fill out a training waiver request form located under the "training" submenu. Upon approval of your request you will be issued a CM/ECF login and password to electronically file in this district.

I already E-File in another Federal District Court, do I still need to attend training in the Central District of California?

Mandatory CM/ECF Training in the Central District of California can be waived if attorneys provide proof that they have completed similar training or are electronic filing in another district. Please fill out our training waiver request form located under the "training" submenu. Upon approval of your request, you will be issued a new CM/ECF login and password.

You must be admitted to practice in the Central District of California or are a Federal Government attorney and your attorney record must be current.

How do I enroll for CM/ECF Training?

The United States District Court Central District of California offers several training options each of which require different ways of enrolling.

Training At the Court: To enroll for CM/ECF Instructor-led Training at the court follow the instructions on How To Enroll For Instructor-lead Training.

Vendor Sponsored Training: Los Angeles', San Bernardino's and Inland Impire's Federal Bar Associations offer CM/ECF Traning through various vendors. Contact the appropriate Federal Bar Association to enroll for training.

Client Site Training: Contact the Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Inland Empire Federal Bar Association to enroll for training at your firm address.

Online Training: Online Training requires no enrollment. For more details please read the How to participate in Online Training page.

What are the prerequisites to enroll for training at the Court?

In order to enroll for training online you first need to create your personal training account.

From the Main Navigation System on the left of this page, click TRAINING
Select CREATE TRAINING ACCOUNT
Fill out all fields that are required

I have created my personal training account, what do I do now to enroll for a class?

Login to the Court's Training Website using your new training account
From the Main Navigation System on the left of this page, click TRAINING
Select ENROLL FOR INSTRUCTOR-LEAD TRAINING
From the Calendar choose any class you wish to attend by clicking on that date
After selecting your class, click REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS
Fill out the enrollment form with accurate and valid data (If there are no seats available you will be notified and will be given a chance to pick a different class)
Click "Complete Registration"
A confirmation email will be sent to your email address in record with all the details about the class (ie. title, date, location, etc)
Click "Return Home" or "Enroll another attendee"

Can I sign up more people in addition to myself for the same class?

Yes, you need to fill out the enrollment form for each individual you would like to enroll.

How do I cancel a class?

IMPORTANT: The person who scheduled the class MUST cancel the class. If you are an attorney who was signed up to a class by your legal support staff, you need to have your legal support staff cancel your class using the account he/she used to sign you up for the class or, you can borrow that person's training account used to sign you up for the class and perform the cancellation yourself by following the steps below.

Login to the Court's Training Web site
From the home page click MY TRAINING or, click MY TRAINING located on the top right corner of all pages
Next to the person you would like to cancel the class for click the SEE DETAILS button
Click CANCELL ENROLLMENT
Confirm your cancellation by click OK from the confirmation dialog box that comes up
You will receive a confirmation email for the cancellation

How do I reschedule a class to a different date?

The easiest way to do this is to first cancel your original class by following the instructions from the previous question and then sign up for a new class on a different date.

I am trying to create my new personal training account but I keep getting errors indicating that my username and/or email address already exists, what does this mean?

You have probably created an account in the past using the same username and/or email address. There can not be duplicate usernames and/or email address in our database. Create a new account using a new username and/or email address or attempt to recover your password by reading the “How do I recover my forgotten password?” question.

How do I recover my password if I have forgotten it?

At the home page of the Court’s Training website you will see a link next to the login box asking if you have forgotten your password, click the link and the system will take you to a page where you can enter your username and the secret question you used when you created your password. A new “temporary” password will be automatically emailed to you with instructions on how to change it to a permanent password.

I remember my training password but I would like to change it, how do I do that?

After successfully logging in to the Court’s training web site, click TRAINING > CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD and fill out the “Change Password” section. Your new password will be email to you shortly after changing it. This only changes a password for the Training Section of the ECF Website, it does not effect any previously issued CMECF password.

Where can I print details about my upcoming class?

Login using your personal training account and click MY TRAINING located on the top-right corner of any page. Click SEE DETAILS to view all the information related to your upcoming class. You can print this window by selecting FILE - PRINT from the file menu of your web browser.

The confirmation email that was sent to you when you registered for the class is probably the best item to print because it has all the details about your class.

Can I look at my training history to determine who in my firm has attended or not the training?

Yes, on the top of each page you will notice a link called "Training History". By clicking this link you will be able to see the training status for every person you enrolled to training. The information on this page can be sorted by either of the data fields listed on the form. This will allow you to sort your data by "status", "name", "date", etc)

How do I check (for the people I've enrolled to training) when their class is taking place?

Click the "My Training" link (located on the top-right corner of every page) to get a list of all the people you have enrolled to training and their class information.

Online Training Related Questions

What’s Online Training?

It is a computer-based training application to meet the CM/ECF training requirement that is taken via the internet through the use of a computer.

How do I access Online Training?

From the Main Navigation system in the left side of this website, select Training - Online Training

What are the computer software and hardware requirements for Online Training?

Internet Connection (high speed recommended)
If you are using a dial-up/modem connection you may not be able to attend online training. Each training module consist of a large file download which a dial-up/modem connection may not be able to handle.
Adobe Flash Plugin. If not installed, you can download a free copy from www.adobe.com. Online Training can not be accomplished if Adobe Flash is not installed.
Functional Computer Speakers

How do I enroll for Online Training?

There is no need to enroll for online training. As long as you are an attorney admitted to practice in the Central District of California, you can attend online training.
Please see How to participate in Online Training for more details.

I registered for Training at the Court or through one of your certified vendors but I would like to attend training online instead, what do I do?

The easiest way to handle this is to first cancel your previous enrollment and then proceed to take training online. If you signed up for training at the Court, you can cancel your enrollment online or by submitting a request to our support team. If you signed up for training through one of our certified vendors you will need to contact them to process your cancellation request.

I have been admitted to the Central District of California but my information in your records does not seem to be up to date, how do notify the Court of this?

When you authenticate against our system to attend Online Training, our system will display your current information in record. If the information is not accurate, you will be able to click on a Update Information button which will take you to the Attorney Admissions section in our website where you can submit a request of change of information to the court.

I have been admitted to the Central District of California but when I type my Bar ID number the system can’t find me

Verify you entered the correct information. If you have confirmed that the correct information was entered and the system still can’t identify you, please contact the ECF Helpdesk for assistance.

Can Legal Support Staff take online training as well?

Yes, legal support staff or administrative staff in your organization can also attend online training. However, CM/ECF Logins and Password will only be distributed to attorneys. Training for Legal Support Staff is separate from the Attorney's training but the content is the same. Training for Legal Support staff is not tracked by the court and it does not require authentication.

If I attend Online Training, do I still need to complete training at the Court (Classroom training)?

No, Online training is the equivalent of attending training at the Court or through our Sponsored Vendors.

Is there MCLE credit for Online Training?

No, Online Training has not been acredited for MCLE credit.

How long does the online training take to complete?

Approximate time for completing all modules is about two (2) hours. However, this can vary based on how quickly the trainee responds to the various commands required to advance through the modules.

Are there fees assessed for on-line training or training at the Court?

No, there are no fees associated with Online Training or Training at the Court. If you plan to attend training with one of our certified vendors check with them for details about fees.

Do I have to complete all the training modules in one sitting (at once)?

No, you don’t have to complete all training modules consecutively. You can complete one module today, one tomorrow, etc.

Do I have to take the training modules in order?

No, you can complete the training modules in any order you wish but you must complete modules 1 through 7 before taking module 8.

Why can't I access Module 8?

That’s because you have not completed modules 1-7. Module 8 will only activate after you have completed modules 1 through 7.

If I start watching a module, do I have to complete it in its entirely?

Yes, once you have started watching a training module, you will need to finish it in order to acknowledge completion. However, you can always pause in the middle of the module if you need to step away from your computer. When you’re ready to proceed, you can press the Play button and the video will resume playing. If you close the video window in the middle of a module you will need to take that module again from the beginning.

Will the system time out if I wait too long to proceed after pausing a training module?

Yes, because the Court’s online training website is a secured website, the system will time out after about 30 min. - 1 hour of inactivity.

I try to view the different Training Modules but I am not able to see anything on my screen

As noted on the welcome page of the Online Training Site, your computer needs to be equipped with Adobe Flash. Adobe Flash is a plug in for your web browser which allows you to view the training modules in our website. Adobe Flash is free and you can download it and install it directly from Adobe’s website (www.adobe.com).

I am able to watch the training video on my screen but I don’t hear the audio

Your computer needs to be equipped with speakers in order to hear the content of our training videos.

I started watching one of the training modules and accidentally closed the window, what do I do?

You need to take that training module again from the beginning.

How do I know which modules I have completed?

As you complete each training module, at the end of each video there will be instructions to click the Finish button, clicking this button will cofirm completion of the training module. Failure to click the Finish button will require you to take that training module again.

When can I attend Online Training?

Online Training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What happens after I have completed all 8 training modules?

You will receive a confirmation email indicating that you have completed Online Training. The Court will generate your Login and Password in our CM/ECF system. Your Login and Password will be sent to you via your email address in record within 2 business days.

I completed Online Training but I have not received my login and password

Please ensure your information in record is accurate. Visit www.cacd.uscourts.gov and access our Attorney Admissions section to ensure our records show your current information. If our system is not up to date with your record you can submit a Request to change Information and submit it to the court.
If you are a Civil Attorney and completed Online Training before January 1, 2008, you will receive your login and password on or before January 1, 2008. Civil e-Filing does not go into effect until January 1, 2008.

I completed Online Training, when can I start e-Filing?

For Patent, Copyright and Trademark cases e-Filing begins November 1, 2007. For all other Civil Cases e-Filing begins January 1, 2008. You will not be able to file these type of cases until those dates. E-Filing for Criminal Cases went into effect January 1, 2007.

Access Related Questions

How log on to CM/ECF?

At the court’s website (www.cacd.uscourts.gov) select the CM/ECF link and click on log in to CM/ECF

Why am I having problems with my E-filing login and password?

Confirm the following:

Are you using the correct login and password? There are two different passwords for PACER and CM/ECF. Please make sure you are using the correct login and password.
Are you in the correct website? Please make sure you are using CM/ECF from the court’s home page.
If you are accessing CMECF through the PACER website for public query only, you only need your PACER login and password. If you are accessing CMECF through the E-Filing website, you first need to login using your E-Filing login and password. This will allow you to e-file documents. If you are in this website and want to query, you will be presented with a new login screen which will ask you for your PACER login and password.
If your login and password still does not work, please call the helpdesk.

How do I receive a login and password?

You must complete the CM/ECF training. Upon completion of the court offered training a login and password will be assigned to you.

What types of cases are designated for electronic filing?

As of December, 2006, student loan and social security cases are the only cases available for electronic filing. January 1, 2007 criminal cases will be eligible for electronic filing and in January of 2008 all remaining cases will be eligible for electronic filing.

Can the general public view CM/ECF cases and the documents in those cases?

Yes, the public can access case data in CM/ECF unless it has been sealed by the court. The public access component of CM/ECF will require a user to enter a PACER login and password. Because the PACER login and CM/ECF filing login will be different, a filing attorney will need both. Established PACER users will automatically have access to these sites; a new account does not need to be created. For those currently not registered with PACER, a PACER account may be obtained at: http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html

Are there separate logins and passwords for PACER and CM/ECF?

Yes. The system requires two separate login IDs and passwords. A PACER login ID is required for querying cases and is provided by the PACER Service Center. Its format consists of two alpha characters followed by 4 numeric characters.

A CM/ECF login ID is required for attorneys to file documents, and motions online. You must attend the CM/ECF class offered by the court. Upon completion of training, a login and password will be issued to the attorney.

I am changing firms. Do I need to establish a new e-filing login and password?

You do not need to register for CM/ECF more than once. Even if you change firms, your login remains valid. However, you must update your address, including any changes to your e-mail address, with the court. You can do this by electronically filing form G-6.

Why am I getting an invalid login message?

Look for a few of these common problems:

Both the login and password should be entered in lower case letters.
Make sure the proper login and password are being used for the appropriate website. (PACER login for querying from CM/ECF or from PACER directly, CM/ECF login for filing)
Verify that the recommended browser is being used

Internet Explorer (version 6 or higher)
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or higher

The browser must be JavaScript-enabled.
Check the location of the web site in the location window of your browser.

Why do I get an invalid login message once I have already logged into the court and I am retrieving a docket or document?

Make sure you put in your PACER login and password at the second login screen. Verify that the recommended browser is being used .
Your PC needs to be set to accept all cookies. If the problem persists, log out, delete your existing cookie files. Cookies are stored within the Program Files of your computer. Once in Program Files, go into the browser folder. Within one of the folders will be a cookie file. To delete the cookie file, right click on the icon and select delete. Login again.

Why can I get a docket sheet, but not any of the documents provided?

This may occur if you are using an incompatible browser. Check your browser setting. Another problem may be that you do not need Acrobat software (ie Adobe Reader) to view a docket sheet, but you do need it to view documents. You might have Acrobat PDF on your machine but have not connected it to browser. The solution for Netscape--open Netscape: Options, General Preferences, and in the dialog box add application/pdf; extension pdf and indicate the path to the Acrobat.exe file.

When an attorney leaves a firm, both the attorney and the firm need to consider the implications to the CM/ECF noticing system. If cases will move with the attorney, all the attorney needs to do is to change his/her e-mail notification set up and submit a change of address to the Clerk's Office. If cases will remain with the firm, the firm will need to ensure that the Court docket accurately reflects the proper attorney of record and that the new attorney of record is properly set up to receive e-mail notification. Law firms may also wish to consider the best method of handling e-mail addressed to the firm for the departed attorney. Summarily removing the attorney from the firm's e-mail system with no further action, may result in notifications being missed. Firms may wish to consider whether their own e-mail systems should forward such e-mails to the attorney at his/her new address, or to another attorney within the firm.

What should be done when an attorney leaves the firm?

What should I do if I change my address, phone number, e:mail address or other pertinent information?

Notify the court as soon as possible. You may do this by completing and filing form G-6, available on the court’s website.

Can I have the same filing login for all courts I practice in?

Since each court assigns the filing login for filing privileges in the CM/ECF system, it is not possible to obtain a universal filing login.

Can I use the login and password issued by another court to e-file in the Central District of California?

No, each district issues its own login and password which is specific to that court. Each district has its own reqistration and e-filing policies and procedures.

Technical - General Web Related Questions

How can I search for a word or phrase on a web page?

Once you select a document to review, you can perform a word search by clicking on EDIT, then clicking on either "Find and Replace," or "Find in Document" (or pressing Ctrl+F), and entering the word(s) you wish to locate in the document. For documents in PDF format (viewable using Adobe Acrobat Reader) search by clicking on "TOOLS," then "FIND" (or Ctrl+F), and proceed the same way. Note, if the PDF document is an image file, as opposed to a text file, searching the document is not possible. As the names imply, a text file is one created in the first instance using a word processing, spreadsheet, or similar program, while an image file is created by scanning a document using a document scanner or fax machine

What is a "link" or "hyperlink"?

A "link" or "hyperlink" is a shortcut to another website or web page. These are represented by a word or phrase usually underlined or becomes underlined when the mouse cursor is hover over it. Links ro Hyperlinks can also be represented as a picture or an image. Either way their purpose is to allow you to navigate from one page or web site to another.

What is a plug-in?

A plug-in is a small add-on piece of software that extends the capabilities of your web browser, Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. A plug-in may, for example, enable you to view files written in a format other than HTML, the language used to create Internet web sites, or to listen to audio files or view videos.

How can I create a shortcut icon on my desk top that will take me directly to the CM/ECF system?

With any browser, you simply drag the little image (usually shapped as a page) located on the left of the web address (http://wwww.cacd.usxxxxx) and drop it on your desktop. Be sure to have your desktop visible prior to doing this. You might need to resize your web browser to allow you to see part of your desktop.
It is recommended that the Court’s CM/ECF website be a shortcut or bookmark as messages are posted periodically regarding new filing procedures, announcements and scheduled maintenance. If the E-Filing login page is bookmarked, you may miss these important messages.

How do I cut, copy and paste?

Copying is the act of making a duplicate. Cutting is the act of removing something and placing it in another location (Deleting is the act of removing something entirely). Cutting sometimes works like deleting. Pasting is the act of placing anything that has been cut or copied into a new location. There are many ways to copy or cut, and paste, but all of them involve highlighting what you want to copy or cut first.

For a file, simply clicking on the file once will highlight it.

For text, position your cursor at the beginning of the text you want to highlight, hold the left mouse button down and drag the cursor to the end of the text you want to highlight, then release the mouse button.

To cut the highlighted item (3 options)::

From the menu bar at the top of any application, select Edit-->Cut, -or-
Right-Click on the highlighted item and select Cut from the menu that shows, -or-
On the keyboard, hit Ctrl-X

To copy the highlighted item (3 options):

From the menu bar at the top of any application, select Edit-->Copy, -or-
Right-Click on the highlighted item and select Copy from the menu that shows, -or-
On the keyboard, hit Ctrl-C

To paste the item you just copied or cut (3 options):

From the menu bar at the top of any application, select Edit-->Paste, -or-
Right-Click where you want to place the highlighted item and select Paste from the menu that shows, -or-
Click where you want to place the item, then on the keyboard, hit Ctrl-V

How do I undo an edit command?

Make a mistake? Try any one of these to "undo" or revert to the last state. Some programs allow you to step-back many times, others only allow only once, or none.

From the menu-bar at the top of any application, select Edit-->Undo,
On the keyboard, hit Ctrl-Z

How do I redo an edit command?

Some applications also have a Redo option, which "undoes the undo".

From the menu-bar at the top of any application, select Edit-->Redo, -or-
On the keyboard, hit Ctrl-Y

Who do I contact for e:mail attachment questions?

Your Firm's or Company's System Administrator.

Who do I contact for questions regarding software compatibility?

Your Firm's or Company's System Administrator.

Which internet browsers does the Court currently support?

Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or higher. Netscape Navigator (any version) is not supported)

Technical - CM/ECF Related Questions

What hardware and software will attorneys need to participate in CM/ECF?

Please go to our Software and Hardware Requirements section for details.

Why does my session freeze?

It all depends on when it freezes, If you find your session freezing after you have hit "NEXT", try using the Back button to return to the previous screen and click on NEXT again. It may be the case that the session has not really halted; this kind of misbehavior is common to browser-based applications. If you click on the Back button and "receive a page cannot be displayed message", click on the Back button again. This means that your document has been dropped and you'll need to reattach it. It might even be better to start your filing over. If it appears to freeze after clicking on the "SUBMIT" button, be patient, if you have a large document it will take time for the system to upload it into CM. If it still won't display the NEF, check the case to see if the document is on the docket, if it is call the helpdesk for assistance. DO NOT REFILE IT. If the event is NOT on the docket, go through the filing process again.

How can I print a notice of electronic filing?

Throught the Query screen, select docket report. Enter the case number for the case and make sure that the box for “notice of electronic filing” is checked. Select the radio button next to the correct entry then print the notice of electronic filing.

What is considered an attachment?

Attachments are documents "attached" to the main document as one complete package. If the documents are separate, stand alone, documents, they are to be filed as separate documents, NOT as attachments, such as declarations in support of motions. If there is an attachment(s), such as an exhibit or appendix, the system will allow you to attach as many documents as necessary. If an attachment or exhibit is in paper form, electronically scan and convert it to a .pdf document. Most newer scanners will allow you to directly save the document in .pdf format.

How do I attach a document to an entry?

Once you have selected the image of the document or pleading to be filed and it appears in the box, click on the radio button next to "Yes" for the question, 'Adding Attachments' located at the bottom of the screen.

Select the next button, a new screen will appear, allowing you to select one or more documents to attach to your initial document.

Select the “Browse” button to search for the file name of the document to be attached, in the same manner as outlined for the main document.

In the field for attachment type, select the drop down arrow and the system will open a pull down screen. From the selections in the menu, select the type of attachment (e.g.: appendix, exhibit, etc.) If none of the selections apply, do not select anything in the drop down menu.

Describe the attachment, click in the description box and type a description of the attachment. Click on the “Add to List” button. This is important because the description will appear in the docket text and when looking at the separate attachments. This enables the Court and counsel to know what the attachment is. If the description is not there, only (Attachments:) 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. will display causing extra time to try to figure out what attachment is what.

The system adds the selected document as an attachment to the document. The file name of the new attachment will appear in the window next to the Add to List button. Once all attachments have been added to the attachment window, select the next button to proceed to the next screen.

How do I access the activity log?

While logged in to CM/ECF select the “Reports” link. Select “Activity Report” and log in using your PACER account login and password. Or to check time and date of transmission of a document, select "Utilities" and click on View Your Transactions Log.

Why can’t I access a previous page viewed by clicking on the "Back" button on the browser after selecting a link?

Unlike most programs, a web browser will open multiple windows. In other words, two or more windows in which the browser appears may be active at the same time. Look at the tool bar at the bottom of the screen, this is the same bar where the start button is located. If the browser logo appears on two different buttons, you have more than one window open. Click on the button that is not active (not highlighted) to open the previous window. If there is only one window open, click on the "GO" menu item at the very top of the screen; a drop down menu will appear where you can click on the address of the page to which you wish to return.

If you receive a "Page Not Available" message, click on the Back button again, this means that your document has been dropped from the docket entry and must be reattached. It might be best to click on the Civil or Criminal Menu choice from the Blue Menu Bar and begin your filing again.

Why do I receive a "Data Missing" error when I try to print reports from CM/ECF?

If you are using Internet Explorer and Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you may be having a problem downloading the "data only" format of the cases report. Two options are recommended to work around the problem.

Use Netscape, Firefox or Mozilla. The report downloads correctly using any of these browsers; or
Delete the Windows XP registered file type for .txt files. To delete the registered file type in Windows XP, use the following steps:

Double click "My Computer"
Go to Tools, Folder options
Click "File Types"
Find the "TXT" file type from the list and click on it
Click Delete
When the confirmation box is displayed, click Yes
Click "OK" to close the File Options box

Are there any special instructions regarding AOL users?

The AOL internet connection will work for CM/ECF, but the AOL provided browser is not supported. In addition, the AOL spam blocking software has been known to block e-mails from court sites.

Is there anything that Macintosh Users need to be aware of in filing documents?

Make sure the files have extensions on the end of the file name (.pdf, .doc, .wpd, .txt, etc.). The file name "COMPLAINT" will not work for the CM/ECF system but "COMPLAINT.PDF" will work.

I have logged into CM/ECF but I do not get all of the docket entries. Why is that happening?

Make sure that the Filed/Entered Dates on the previous selection screen cover the appropriate dates.
The cache on your computer may be full. Cache is a location on your hard drive where data is stored. When you search the Internet, your computer keeps track of every page you have visited and saves this information on your hard drive. If this file becomes large (i.e., many pages have been searched), the result may be a loss of data.

Why are some menu options not appearing, or the window is blank?

Right click in the window and select Reload Frame(Netscape) or Refresh(IE). If that does not display all options, clear the cache or temporary internet files.

Which browsers work with CM/ECF?

The following have been tested and approved for use with CM/ECF:

Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or higher

Which browsers are not compatible with CM/ECF?

Netscape (any version)
Internet Explorer 5.0
AOL browser
MSN browser

Does the Court allow an attorney registering for ECF training to include a "secondary email address"? If so, how many secondary e-mail addresses are permitted?

Yes - Attorneys who are in good standing with the California State Bar and admitted to practice, admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California are required to designate/maintain a primary e-mail address pursuant to the General Order. These attorneys may request to designate up to two (2) secondary e-mail addresses to be associated with their individual attorney record. *This only applies to attorneys appearing in case types currently authorized for electronic filing in this district pursuant to General Order.

Do attorneys have access to “Utilities - Your Account - Maintain Your Account” and permission to personally change or add secondary e-mail addresses?

No - At this time attorneys do not have access to the Utilities - Your Account - Maintain Your Account option via the CM/ECF system.

What is the procedure for requesting the addition or modification of a secondary e-mail address associated with their individual attorney record?

Attorneys may request to add or modify up to two (2) secondary e-mail addresses to their individual attorney record after class at the time they complete training, or in writing via an e-mail request sent by the individual attorney to the Court's ECF Help Desk at ecf-helpdesk@cacd.uscourts.gov. All secondary e-mail address update requests submitted by the attorney should include the attorney's full name, California Bar Id, CM/ECF Login Id (no password required), address, telephone number and the secondary e-mail addresses (2 maximum) to be associated with their individual attorney record.

Technical - PDF Related Questions

What is a PDF document?

Documents in Portable Document File (PDF) format do not require a copy of the word processing program used to create them in order to be viewed. They can be viewed by anyone with a free viewer such as Acrobat Reader, a product of Adobe Systems, Inc. In addition to its cross platform advantage, a PDF document matches very closely the format of the original document in which the PDF document was created. All of the pleadings in the CM/ECF system are stored in PDF format. To view PDF files, you must have a PDF viewing software such as Acrobat Reader, which you may download free from the Adobe Systems Internet website http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html You will view PDF documents the way they were created, and you may save and print them in that format.

What is Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat is a commercial software product from Adobe that allows you to view and create documents in PDF (portable document format). Adobe, the inventors of the PDF format, can be found at http://www.adobe.com, where you can find both the free reader version of the software, which can be used to retrieve documents from CM/ECF, and the writer version, which can create documents for posting. There are other brands of commercially available software to create PDF files, and the CM/ECF's only requirement is that filings must be in PDF to be accepted by the CM/ECF system. All documents filed in CM/ECF must be in PDF format. The Federal Judiciary does not endorse any specific software.

How do I make a PDF document?

There are several ways in which you can get a document from a word processing program into the PDF format. The newer versions of some common word processors include the ability to publish a document to PDF built right into the word-processing software. In WordPerfect 9 and 10, you can click on File and then "Publish to PDF" to convert your WordPerfect file (.wpd) to PDF. MS-Word (up to version XP) does NOT have this capability). Adobe, the inventors of the PDF format, can be found at http://www.adobe.com, where you can find both the free reader version of the software, which can be used to retrieve documents from CM/ECF, and the writer version, which can create documents for posting. When you've installed Acrobat, you can make PDF files right out of your word-processing software simply by "printing" the document, and selecting the "printer" called "Acrobat PDFWriter" from the drop down list of available printers. That process will actually save a file in PDF format, with a ".pdf" file extension, on your hard drive. There are many other vendors besides Adobe who provide software to create PDF documents. Please note that the Federal Judiciary does not endorse or recommend any specific PDF software. Since there are so many different applications, and we could not depict instructions for all, we have chosen to depict all our instructions with reference to Adobe.

I tried to scan my document into PDF but a lot of errors appeared.

You are probably trying to scan the document using optical character recognition (OCR)--don't do this. PDF can handle both text and scanned documents. It can also take scanned documents and perform OCR on them, turning the image back into editable text. However, this process has many problems and should not be done before e-filing them. It is permissible to perform OCR on PDF documents after they are in the e-filing system, since any OCR errors will not be placed in the official documents at the court.

How do you start the Adobe Acrobat Reader program in order to view a PDF document on a website?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a plugin that the browser will automatically launch when you try to access a document stored in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, your computer will show you a set of applications from which to choose a program that will read the file. None of them will work, which is why you must download the Adobe Reader from Adobe Systems' website. To download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click on http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Is it possible to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader open in a separate window, one not a part of my browser; or, alternatively, if the Adobe Reader opens on my PC as a separate Window, is it possible to make it open within the browser?

The answer to both question is "yes." In Adobe Acrobat or the Adobe Reader, click on "File", then "Preferences", then "General". In the Options section at the bottom of the window labeled "General Preferences," check the box (by clicking on it if it is blank) beside "Web Browser Integration" to make a PDF document open within the browser. Uncheck that box (by clicking on it if it is checked) to cause Acrobat or the Adobe Reader to open in a separate window.

Is the optimum way of viewing PDF files within the browser or in a separate window?

This is more of a matter of personal preference. Some of the functionality of the Reader is lost when the PDF document is opened in a browser window. However, most of the functions accessible either using the menu or shortcuts when the Reader opens in its own window can be accessed using the various button icons that remain available when the Reader is opened within the browser.

When I print an image from CM/ECF, the right edge gets cut off.

After you click the print icon, click the ‘shrink to fit' box on the printer setup screen. Once the setting has been changed, it should remain this way for all PDF documents.

Can I copy a PDF text file to my word processor?

If a PDF document contains text, as opposed to an image, you can select text and do a normal copy and paste. Using the Acrobat Reader, you can select no more than a page at a time.

Can I use Adobe Acrobat 5.0?

The Administrative Office(AO) of the United States Courts' CM/ECF Development Team extensively tested and evaluated the capabilities and compatibility of the Adobe Acrobat version 5.0 with the CM/ECF service. These test results indicate that court personnel and lawyers can use Version 5 PDF documents without adverse effects to CM/ECF. It should be noted that CM/ECF does not endorse any specific software, just the use of the PDF.

I am using Adobe Acrobat 5. When I try to view PDF documents in CM/ECF, I see a blank screen. How can I fix this?

In Adobe 5.0 or 6.0, make the following changes:

Go to Edit, Preferences, Options
Uncheck "Display PDF in browser"
Uncheck "allow fast web view"

What is the limit of a PDF document to be filed in CM/ECF and what can I do to ensure I don’t exceed the limit on the size of PDF documents?

The size limit of a PDF document to be filed in the CM/ECF system is 4.5MB (4,500 KB). This size is not dependent on the number of pages of the document as scanned documents can generate larger file sizes then electronically generated PDF documents.

When scanning, be sure to set your scanner to black and white and 200 dpi. If your scanned document is larger than the limit, you can separate it into multiple smaller files. To check the size of the file, right click on the file and select properties.

Why are my PDF documents blank when I print them?

It's possible you will need to install a postscript print driver. These drivers are available from your printer manufacturer’s website.

When I print my PDF document, why is it a mirror image?

If using Adobe Acrobat 5, make the following adjustment, select the Print command, check the box next to the option "Print as Image" which is located in the print status window next to the printer name. If using Adobe Acrobat 6, select the Print command then select the “Advanced” button located at the bottom left corner of the print status window, then select “Print as Image.” You may want to turn this setting off when printing in the future because it can slow down a large print job.

When filing documents electronically, why do I get the message “ERROR: this document has security measures in effect?”

The system will not accept documents which have security measures turned on (for example, password protection in Adobe.) Remove the security features from the document and submit your document again.

Why do I get the message “Error reading, linearized hint data?”

If you are using Adobe Reader the settings may need to be changed in order to view the document. Go to Edit, Preferences, Internet, and uncheck "Allow Fast Web View."

I want to copy and paste from a PDF document, but I can't seem to select any text. How do I copy and paste?

If you are using an Adobe product, you must first select the text tool (look for the T on the toolbar) instead of the hand. Then select the text, and either right-click and choose copy, or use the copy icon. If you cannot select the text, then the PDF is a scanned image. Scanned documents in PDF act just like photographs. You will not be able to copy and paste from a scanned image.

My document seems to change when I make it into PDF; what's happening?

This is called "flowing". Depending on the font, the printer selected, and other characteristics of the content, a document may undergo some changes when it's rendered into PDF. If you are using an Adobe product to convert documents to PDF, visit www.adobe.com. Adobe has a set of technical documents posted on their site that refer directly to ways in which you may attempt to address flowing problems.

Another work-around is to set your PDF printer as your "Default Printer" before opening the document, then open the document, edit it to correct any format errors, save it and try printing (converting) to PDF again.

Is it true that the only way to make a document into PDF format is by using a scanner?

No. In fact, the vast majority of documents can be easily converted to PDF format without scanning. Any document that you create on your computer can be converted to PDF by your computer as long as you have the appropriate software installed and configured properly.

How do you determine which version of Acrobat Reader is installed on your computer?

Launch Acrobat Reader, select "Help" menu option, and select "About Acrobat Reader." If you are using version 5.0.5 or higher, you do not need to upgrade. If you are using version 4 or below, please visit Adobe's website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html to download a free upgrade to the latest version of Acrobat Reader.

What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document is not a well-formed PDF document (no further information is available).

This usually means that there is a typo in the pathname of the pdf. Use the Browse button rather than manually entering the location of the pdf.

What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document contains code which may cause an external action (such as launching an application). This PDF document cannot be accepted.

If your PDF contains any password security, it will not be accepted. All PDF documents which include embedded JavaScript that use the OpenAction syntax will be rejected. Some petition preparation software contains JavaScript to perform calculations which uses OpenAction syntax. If your PDF is rejected, please contact your PDF software vendor or petition preparation vendor and speak with them regarding the use of JavaScript OpenAction syntax. OpenAction JavaScript commands can be used to track those who view a PDF and to install malware and viruses.

Technical - On Free Copy Related Questions

How do I receive my “free copy” of a document?

Each attorney of record in a case will receive an email message containing a hyperlink to a document that has been filed. One free copy is available to each attorney of record and any secondary addresses listed under the email information screen. CAUTION: the one free look is associated with the attorneys user name and password. So, if an attorney has additional e-mail notifications associated with his/her user name only ONE free look is available, no matter who looks at it first. Attorneys are able to list two additional email addresses for their filer login user name so members of his/her support staff can be notified. The hyperlink to access the document will expire after the earlier of these two events: the first use or 15 days. Any time that same hyperlink is accessed after it has expired, the user will be asked for a PACER login and will be charged to view the document. All users are advised to print or save the document during the initial viewing period in order to avoid future charges.

If the document is for a non-social security case, when clicking on the document link for the first time, it will display the document . The system should not prompt you for a login except for Social Security cases. This is your free copy.
If the document is for a Social Security case, when clicking on the link for the document for the first time, it will prompt for a login to the CM/ECF/PACER account. Always login using the CM/ECF login/password. If you login using the PACER account you will lose your free copy and will have to request a credit from the PACER Service Center.
If clicking on the case number link, it will display the Docket Report. If you have not already logged into PACER, you will receive a login prompt. There is no free copy of the Docket Report. There will be a PACER charge.
If you login to CM/ECF or PACER without using the email link there will be a charge.

Who receives the automatic e-mail notification?

The e-mail notification goes to the e-mail address of the registered attorney(s) of record and it can also go to all email accounts they have listed as recipients of additional notices.

What happens if the attorney needs to look at a document more than once?

The attorney will be charged for viewing documents in PACER every time they access that document after the first free copy.

Is there a time limit for when the free copy expires?

Yes. 15 days.

Can an attorney's support staff receive a copy of the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) e-mail?

Yes. Attorneys have the option of authorizing duplicate receipt of the NEF for up to 5 members of his/her support staff.

Will I be billed by PACER if I access a PDF document through the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) more than once?

Yes. Users are encouraged to save the PDF document onto their firm's network drive or to the local hard drive for subsequent access.

Will I be billed by PACER if I click on the docket sheet report hyperlink located on the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)?

Yes. Clicking on the docket sheet hyperlink found on the NEF will cause a PACER login screen to appear if you have not already logged into PACER. Once you have completed the login screen you will be presented with the current docket sheet for that case. Access to the docket sheet will result in PACER charges.

If I forward an email notification I received to another individual will that individual be charged for viewing the document?

The document within an email notification is accessed by a hyperlink. This hyperlink takes you to a site which will allow the first viewing to be free. The first individual to view the linked document will not be charged. If you forward the email notification without viewing the document, the recipient of the email will be able to view the document for free. Anytime after the first viewing, a charge will be incurred to view the document. The document should be saved to a local hard drive during the first viewing.

How do I save the "One Free Copy?”

CM/ECF participants receive an e-mail notification of activity in each of their cases. The e-mail notification contains a link to the “one free copy” as part of the CM/ECF program. It may be advantageous for the recipient to save the document to view or print at a later time.

The following instructions apply from the point where you view the e-mail message containing the attached PDF document.

CAUTION: To save the PDF document as described below, make sure the Acrobat Reader is opening in your Web browser, not as a separate window.

Click on the link to the document found in the e-mail verification notice.
The document loads into Adobe Reader.
A toolbar with a diskette icon appears at the top of the Adobe Reader screen.
Click on the diskette icon.
A dialogue box entitled Save As appears over the document.
Complete the following data fields:

Save in: Designate the drive and directory to save the file
File name: Name the file. Example: Public, JQstaymotion.pdf
Save as type: Leave at Acrobat (*.pdf) default

Click the Save button to store the document in the drive and folder you designated.
You can now view or print the document at a later time.

Are there any reasons why I wouldn’t receive my court generated “free copy” e-mails?

The most common reason for non-delivery of court e-mails is that the email has been identified as spam either by the recipient or automatically by the ISP. If a recipient inadvertently identified a previous court e-mail as spam, the ISP may be blocking email from the court. Contact your ISP to rectify this situation. Some ISPs may automatically route court email to a junk mail folder. Go into your junk mail folder and mark the email from the court as “not junk mail."

When I click on the link in my e-mail, why am I prompted for a login?

There are 3 reasons you will be prompted to login after clicking the link:

If it is a Medicare or Social Security case, you will need to enter your CM/ECF filing ID so the system can verify you are an attorney of record.
If 15 days have elapsed since the document was filed, the free copy has expired and you will be required to log in. You will be charged for viewing the document.
If the link has been used. You will be charged for viewing the document.

When I click on the link in my e-mail, why do I get a blank screen?

It is possible some of the settings on your PDF viewer are incorrect. If you are using an Adobe product, try the following: Edit, Preferences, Internet uncheck Allow Fast Web View and Display PDF in Browser.

I click on the document number link and nothing happens. Why?

If you are using AOL mail and the AOL browser, you should change the email notification from HTML to text.

General E-Filing Questions

Who can I call if I need assistance with electronic filing?

Many of the most frequent questions are listed on the Frequently Asked Questions refer to on our website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov, under CM/ECF > Home Page

If your question is not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions, send an e-mail to ecf-helpdesk@cacd.uscourts.gov or call 213-894-0242. This is for assistance for electronic filing questions, not case specific questions.

You may also want to refer to our website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov for some of your CM/ECF related questions.

What should I do if I receive a Notice of Deficiency in an electronically filed case or an Order striking a document filed in an electronically filed case?

Read the notice or order and confirm whether you are required to re-file the document. If you are required to refile the document, make sure it is done as soon as possible or by the deadline stated on the notice or order.

For any follow-up questions, please feel free to contact the the Data Quality Analyst for the Judge assigned to the case.

What should I do if I attached the wrong document to the entry?

You should notify the helpdesk as soon as you notice the error. Do not refile the document unless instructed to do so by the court.

How can I verify whether or not all the documents I filed electronically were posted?

To ensure the documents transmitted arrive in their entirety, it is important to examine the document after it is received by the court. This can be done by viewing the docket sheet for the case and selecting the transmitted document. The number of the transmitted documents appears on your electronic filing receipt.

When I query a case in CM/ECF, it gives me the previous case I looked at instead.

Check your Cache settings in your browser. The "verify documents" entry should have the ‘once per session' or ‘every time' entry checked, but not the ‘never' entry.

I tried to file a document but it says "format not recognized"—what am I doing wrong?

All documents must be submitted in Adobe PDF (portable document format) with an extension of ".pdf". Two common errors occur. First, a user thinks that he/she saved the document in PDF. The user then tries to file the WordPerfect version of the document; not the saved PDF version. Second, a user fails to indicate the full path name for the PDF file he/she wants to upload. Because the system could not find the file, it responded with the "format not recognized" message. The solution--provide the full path name when identifying the file (example: "c:\documents\motion.pdf") during the upload process.

Are there procedural rules relating to electronic filing?

Rule 5(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 5005(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Rule 25(a) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Rule 49(d) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure authorize individual courts by local rule to permit papers to be filed by electronic means. Amendments to Rules 5(b), 6(e) and 77 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 45 and 49 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules 25 and 26 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Rules 7005, 9006, 9014 and 9022 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, authorize service of documents by electronic means if parties consent. The amendments do not apply to service of process.

Please refer to the General Order authorizing electronic filing for instructions as it pertains specifically to electronic filing in the district court for the Central District of California.

When a user files a pleading with the court, does the system automatically serve the other parties or does the user have to do something extra to serve the others? And, do the other parties just get notification of a filing or do they get the actual document?

When a document is filed in CM/ECF, a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) is automatically generated and e-mailed to the registered attorneys for parties in the case. The NEF includes the text of the docket entry, the unique electronic document stamp, a list of the case participants receiving e-mail notification of the filing, and hyperlink to the document(s) filed. Non-registered attorneys and pro se/pro per parties will still need to be served in the conventional method through postal mail, personal service or fax.

What kind of archiving system does CM/ECF have?

The Administrative Office of the United States is currently working on archiving standards that meet the guidelines of the National Archiving and Records Administration. Currently the open and closed cases will reside on CM/ECF.

Can any attorney access any other cases?

For Social Security cases, only the attorney of record has access. For criminal cases, documents filed prior to November 1st, 2004 are accessible only by attorneys of record. For documents filed on or after that date, any PACER user can view the docket sheet and filings for all non-sealed cases.

Why can't I see PDF documents that have been filed in criminal or social security cases through the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) e-mail?

Access to the PDF document may be restricted in these case types for the following reasons:

The document is sealed;
Only the attorney of record in a Social Security case may view PDF documents;
Currently you should be able to view all criminal documents except those under seal through the Notice of Electronic Filing. However, most criminal case documents filed prior to August 1, 2005 may only be viewed by the attorney of record.

What types of civil initiating documents should be traditionally filed, and is a notice of manually filing required?

New civil action documents, such as complaints and notices of removal
Amended complaint
Third-party complaint
Intervenor complaint
Consolildated complaint
Corrected complaint
Joinder in complaint
Interpleader
Counterclaim
Cross-claim
Claim
Verified claim
Any first appearance document filed by a third-party or non--party to a case Amendments to any of the documents listed above.

No, a notice of manual filing is not required for any of these documents.

Are there any non-civil case initiating documents other than those referenced in General Order 08-02 that should be traditionally filed?

Yes. Abstract of judgment; registration of judgment; bond-related documents.