NextGen CM/ECF Frequently Asked Questions

If you are currently registered to e-file in a federal court that has announced it will be converting to NextGen CM/ECF, you will need an upgraded PACER account.

If you do not have an upgraded PACER account, click this link. Log in with your PACER username and password, and click on any of the options in the Settings tab. You will then be prompted to convert your account.

If you do not have a PACER account, click this link and complete the registration. If you need assistance choosing a registration option, use the Registration Wizard for help.

See the next question to determine if you have an upgraded PACER account.

You may also use the Existing Attorneys or PACER Only Users electronic learning module for a step-by-step guide on how to upgrade your account.

The easiest way to identify whether you have an upgraded account is:

1. Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames with at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account.
   
2. Log in to Manage My Account and look for "Case Search Status Active."
   
3. If your username is 8 characters or more, and you see Case Search Status Active after logging in to Manage My Account, you have an upgraded PACER account.
   
4. If you do not have an upgraded PACER account, click this link. Log in with your PACER username and password, and click on any of the options in the Settings tab. You will then be prompted to convert your account.
   
   NOTE: When you log in to Manage My Account, it may say "Account Status Active." This indicates you have a PAA, which can only be used for billing purposes and not for case search access.
   
   If the Case Search Status says "Inactive," contact the PACER Service Center for assistance at (800) 676-6856 between 8 AM and 6 PM CT Monday through Friday, or by email at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.
   
   To learn more about the PAA, review the PAA electronic learning module at pacer.gov.

Go to the Upgrade PACER Account page of Manage My Account and complete the upgrade process.

If you intend to e-file, you are required to have your own PACER account because your PACER account will be linked to your e-filing account.

You should upgrade before your court converts to NextGen CM/ECF.

To learn more about upgrading your account, review the electronic learning modules for Existing Attorneys or PACER Only Users, and the Maintenance tab of Manage My Account.

Only e-filers are required to upgrade their accounts right now. However, you will need to upgrade your account in order to perform any maintenance functions outside of making a payment.

Now you should wait for the court to convert to NextGen CM/ECF to proceed.

NOTE: Once the court coverts to NextGen, you will link your filing credentials (login and password) to your upgraded PACER account. You must know both sets of credentials to link the accounts. You should not rely on the browser to remember these credentials.

Click here to reset your PACER account password.

To recover you CM/ECF password, you must contact the court. Click here for the link to the court website.

NOTE: When you reset your PACER password, you must enter the email address that is on file at the PACER for the process to be successful.

Yes, PACER has several electronic learning modules (ELMs) that can help you learn more about the NextGen CM/ECF system.

The Court's projected date to go live on NextGen CM/ECF is February 20, 2018. Check the court's website for updates.

Check PACER's links page. The page will show the word "NextGen" next to any court that has converted to NextGen CM/ECF.

While the Federal Judiciary does not recommend this practice, it is possible to share a PACER account if you are only viewing case information.

NOTE: Anyone with the username and password for this account can potentially update information (e.g., password) that could lock out other users who also share the account.

If you intend to e-file, you are required to have your own PACER account because your PACER account will be linked to your e-filing account.

Yes. The PACER Service Center offers the PACER Administrative Account (PAA), a consolidated billing and online account management process that allows groups to manage and pay for all charges associated with multiple PACER accounts.

To register for a PAA, click here. And for more information, you can use the PAA electronic learning module or read the PAA User Manual. You may also review the PAA tab of FAQs here.

NOTE: This account will not allow you to log in to access case information. It only allows you to manage your billing.