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Get Ready for NextGen CM/ECF

Is your federal court migrating to NextGen CM/ECF? Discover the benefits of NextGen CM/ECF and what you need to do to successfully make the transition.

Benefits of NextGen

One account to search for case information and file electronically in courts using NextGen CM/ECF that have granted you e-filing privileges. 

  • All users who file electronically must have an individual PACER account. This account will remain with you even if you move to another organization.
  • Apply for attorney admissions or register to file electronically from one central location. 

Centrally manage your account and payment information.  

  • Create your own username and password.  
  • Enhanced security, including a password strength meter that helps you create stronger, more secure passwords. 
  • Ability to store your credit card information for attorney admissions and/or e-filing payments. 
  • Update address and primary email information for PACER and at any NextGen CM/ECF court that has granted you filing privileges. 

Steps to Successfully Transition to NextGen

Step 1: Upgrade Your PACER Account

If your PACER account was created prior to August 2014, you may need to upgrade your account before your court moves to NextGen CM/ECF.  An upgraded PACER account allows you to use the same account to search for case information and  file electronically in a court using NextGen courtCM/ECF. 

To upgrade your existing PACER account: 

  1. Log in with your PACER username and password, and check the Account Type. If your account is already upgraded, it will say ‘Account Type: Upgraded PACER Account.’ If it indicates ‘Account Type: Legacy PACER Account’, select the Upgrade link.  
  2.  Complete the Upgrade PACER account screens by validating your account information, adding date of birth, county, creating new username, creating new password, and selecting security questions.  
  3. For more help, review the step by step guide on upgrading your PACER account. 

If you don’t already have a PACER account, follow the steps to complete the registration.

Step 2: Link Your CM/ECF Filing Account to Your Upgraded PACER Account 

After the court moves to NextGen CM/ECF, you must link your CM/ECF filing credentials (login and password) to your upgraded PACER account. You must know both sets of credentials to link the accounts. 

Bankruptcy and District Courts

  1. Go to the NextGen CM/ECF website of the court in which you are registered to e-file. Look up the court’s website using the Court CM/ECF Lookup. 
  2. Click the “CM/ECF Document Filing System” link. At the login screen, log in with your upgraded PACER account credentials. 
  3. Click the “Utilities” menu. 
  4. Click “Link a CM/ECF account to my PACER account.” If you do not see this option, look for “NextGen Release 1.1 Menu Item,” click it, and then click “Link a CM/ECF account to my PACER account.” 
  5. Enter your CM/ECF login and password. 
  6. You will be prompted to confirm the CM/ECF account being linked to the PACER account to ensure you are not linking the wrong accounts.  
  7. If successful, you will be sent to the welcome screen for that court. If the filing menu options do not appear, refresh your browser (F5) and/or clear your cookies, cache, and history. 
  8. If unsuccessful, please try again. To reset your password, or obtain your CM/ECF username, contact the court. 

Appellate Courts

  1. Go to the NextGen CM/ECF website of the court you are registered. Look up the court’s website using the Court CM/ECF Lookup. 
  2. Click the “CM/ECF Document Filing System” link. At the login screen, log in with your upgraded PACER account credentials. 
  3. Click the “Link my filer account to my PACER account” option. 
  4. Enter your CM/ECF login and password. 
  5. You will be prompted to confirm the CM/ECF account being linked to the PACER account to ensure you are not linking the wrong accounts.  
  6. If successful, you will be sent to the landing screen for that court. If the filing menu options do not appear, refresh your browser (F5) and/or clear your cookies, cache, and history. 
  7. If unsuccessful, please try again. Otherwise, you will need to re-registered to file electronically at that court, log into Manage My Account. If you have any questions, contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676-6856 or pacer@psc.uscourts.gov. 

Changes to PACER Administrative Accounts

PACER Administrative Account (PAA) holders are affected differently than other account types. If you have a PAA, you need to upgrade your account in order to perform any functions outside of making a payment. 

PAA account holders no longer: 

  • Own the individual user’s account linked to the PAA. Accounts are owned by the individuals and they can take them from one organization to another. 
  • Have access to the user’s account other than usage details. Account updates must be made by the individual account owner. 
  • Create new accounts. 
  • Activate or deactivate accounts.