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CM/ECF FAQs

  • When can I file on the CM/ECF system?

    The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  However, if maintenance or repairs are needed, the system may be down temporarily.

  • I am not receiving my electronic notification and I am registered.

    Please check your spam-blocking preferences. This may prevent you from receiving notices of electronic filing. You should verify that njdefiling@njd.uscourts.gov is listed as an acceptable address. If you ruled out all possible technical difficulties on your end, contact ecfhelp@njd.uscourts.gov to check your account.

  • I received the NEF, but I did not get my free look.

    One free look is available to each attorney of record. The one free look is associated with the attorneys CM/ECF login and password. If an attorney has a secondary e-mail notification associated with his/her user account, he/she is only entitled to one free look, regardless of who looks at it first. (Attorneys may list additional e-mail addresses so that members of his/her support staff can be notified of a filing.)

    The hyperlink to access the document will expire after the first look or 15 days, whichever occurs first. The free-look applies to the main document. Do not double-click the link on the NEF, this will ‘kill’ your ‘free look’.

    • If the document is in a Criminal, Magistrate or Social Security case, or any document with security, when you click on the link for the document for the first time, you will be prompted to login to the ECF/Pacer account. LOGIN USING YOUR ECF ACCOUNT LOGIN AND PASSWORD. This should take you straight to the document – this is your free look. If you use your PACER account login and password, you will lose your free look, and will have to take up any billing disputes with the PACER company.
    • If the document is for a non-Social Security civil case, when you click on the document link for the first time, it should take you straight to the document without asking for a login. This is your free look.
    • If you click on the case number link (vs the document link) that takes you to the docket you will receive a login prompt. You should login with your pacer account login and password. You do not get a free look at a docket sheet. YOU WILL BE CHARGED.
    • If you login to ECF or PACER without using the e-mail link, YOU WILL BE CHARGED.
  • When I click on the document link a blank page is displayed.

    Uncheck "Display PDF in Browser" in Adobe Acrobat. Select Edit, select Preferences, in the new window click on Internet in the left pane, then on the right pane un-check "Display PDF in browser".

  • How do I learn to use the CM/ECF system?

    To promote familiarity with the ECF system, the Court encourages use of the tutorial programs for individual instruction. The Court also offers hands-on training classes. Information and schedules will be posted to this web site. A detailed User's Manual is available on the website. Reviewing the on-line learning modules and completing the quiz or attending the hands-on training are required for ECF registration.

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