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CM/ECF FAQs

  • How do I change my address or email information in the CM/ECF system?

    You may change your address or email information by logging into ECF, click on the Utilities link on the blue bar and then click on Maintain Your Account or Maintain Your Email.

  • Does each attorney need a separate password for PACER?

    No, you can use your firm's password for PACER. However, each attorney does need a separate CM/ECF login and password.

  • Why should I sign up for Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)?

    All electronic case filings are accessed through PACER. In order to review a case filing, you must be registered on PACER.

  • How many times will I be able to view my case documents as an attorney of record?

    If you are an attorney of record in a case, you will not be charged the first time you view a document. However, the next time you view the same document, you will be charged the current PACER fees. You will also be charged if you attempt to access the document 15 days after the Notice of Electronic filing was sent.

  • The CM/ECF system rejected my file because it is over the size limit.

    PDF documents that are scanned or converted can not be larger than the size listed at https://ecf.njd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/CourtInfo.pl. When scanning, be sure to set your scanner to black & white and 400 dpi. If your scanned or converted document is larger than 7MB you can separate it into multiple smaller files. To check the size of the file, right click on the file and select properties (7MB = 7168KB, as viewed in Explorer).

  • I am trying to electronically file a PDF document, and the system won't take it. I get an error message that says "ERROR: this document has security measures in effect, such as password protection or access restrictions. The PDF document cannot be accepte

    The system will not accept documents which have any PDF document security measures on, including password protection. Remove the security features from the document and try again. Do not use any Adobe security features, including signature security.

  • I tried to file a document but it says "format not recognized." What am I doing wrong?

    All documents must be submitted in PDF with an extension of "pdf." Two common errors occur: First, a user thinks that they saved the document in PDF. The user then tries to file the word-processing version of the document instead of the PDF version. Second, a user fails to indicate the full path name for the PDF file. Because the system cannot find the file, it responded with the "format not recognized" message. The solution: Provide the full path name when identifying the file during the upload process. Ensure your document is a PDF document.

  • My document seems to change when I save it to PDF. What's happening?

    Adobe calls this "Aflowing." Depending on the font, the printer selected, and other characteristics of the context, a document may undergo some changes when it is rendered into PDF. Using Distiller, instead of PDFwriter, is supposed to better preserve the document's original appearance, according to Adobe. Adobe has a good set of technical documents at their website.

  • How do I convert a electronic document to PDF?

    There are several ways in which you can get a document from a word processing program into the PDF format. Software should be configured for "black & white", 400 dpi and searchable. 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, you can click on File and then "Publish to PDF" to convert your WordPerfect file (.wpd) to PDF. Other word-processors do not have this capability and you will need software, such as Adobe Acrobat, that will work along with your word-processor to convert into PDF.

  • Are there fees associated with e-filing?

    For viewing documents in cases, you get one free look at documents that are filed in cases on which you are an attorney of record and registered user. For each subsequent viewing, you will be required to log in to PACER and pay the current fee. (We recommend you print or save the document during the first viewing to avoid these charges.) If you do not have a PACER login and password, you can contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800- 676-6856 or www.pacer.uscourts.gov

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