ECF Filing Tips and Terms

The below are Tips and Terms that are used when working with CM/ECF. Click on the hyperlink to view its definition.

Creditor Mailing Matrix
The creditor matrix must contain the mailing address of all appropriate parties.
1. - Each mailing address should not exceed five lines. If the address exceeds five lines, it will not be properly noticed by the court. To fix the address, you must make the appropriate modifications in the original software.
When creating a creditor mailing matrix the information must be a . txt file for creditor upload. Creditors are uploaded to new cases only.
Declarations

The Declaration should be a separate .PDF file, and it should not be combined with the motion or application.
When attaching a Declaration as a supportive document, when filing in ECF, it should be a separate entry or as an attachment to the Main entry.
Declaration of Electronic Filing CSD 1801
- The Declaration of Electronic Filing (CSD 1801) is a required declaration by the attorney and the debtor’s acknowledgment of filing documents electronically, such as petition, schedules, and opening a bankruptcy case on their behalf.
- This form must be filed electronically within 14 days of filing the petition electronically providing the debtor(s)' original signature(s) in a scanned format. ( "/s/ typed name of debtor" will not be accepted.) If not filed within 14 days the case can be considered for dismissal.
Defendant’s Attorney

When opening an Adversary case NEVER add the attorney for the defendant. This will be done when the answer if filed by the defendant’s attorney.
Document Events
The Document Event represents the document that will be filed electronically. The document events can be found through the Search option on the CM/ECF menu bar.
The online document event Search option allows the filer to locate the appropriate document event from the CM/ECF Menu Bar and to proceed with filing the document.
1. Log into the CM/ECF using your PACER login and password.
2. Click Search on the CM/ECF Menu Bar.
3. Enter a word, phrase or court form number of the desired event in the "Search Menus and Events" box.
  
  Click the magnifying glass to begin the search.
4. Review the list of hyperlinked document events, which will contain the entered word(s) or form number, to determine the appropriate document event for your document. Each event will appear below the category through which it is filed.
5. Click on the appropriate event to commence the filing process.
6. Access and follow the associated procedure from the Manual (located on the CM/ECF Menu Bar) to ensure accurate filing of the document.
  
  Filing the document through this venue will automatically skip steps one and two of the Manual's procedures.
The ECF manual has step-by-step procedures for most of the document events in the Document Event directories. You can search your event using the Search field on the manual.
The ECF manual has step-by-step procedures for most of the document events in the Document Event directories. You can search your event using the Search field on the manual.
E-Orders
- E-Orders are orders submitted to the court electronically.
- Orders must comply with the local rules and must follow the Guidelines for E-Orders.
- E-Order (CSD forms) must be used to submit electronically. If a template is not used, the court will reject it for non-compliance.
- Signatures for attorney and parties must appear in /s/ with name on the appropriate signature lines of the template.
ECF Availability

ECF is available 24 hours, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. The filing day begins 12:00 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.
ECF Filing Menus

The ECF filing system has two filing menus: Bankruptcy and Adversary. Selecting the appropriate menu for the proceeding type will then display the appropriate categories to file the document. For example, when filing a motion, select the Bankruptcy or Adversary menu and then select Motions/Applications.
ECF Filing Screens
The filing screens for most events are shown below. Prompts will appear when data fields (such as hearing dates, proof of service dates, etc.) are required for the filing.
1. Case Number - enter the appropriate case number
2. Party Filer selection - select the party filer for the document being filed.
3. Document Event selection - select the appropriate event for the main document being filed.
4. Browse field - attaches the .PDF file for the document.
  - Attachment to Documents - select "yes" to move to an additional browse field. Use only for supportive documents.
5. Filed date - enter the document file date.
6. Refer to Existing Event(s)? - select to link back to a related document.
7. Modify docket text - modify text using the free-text boxes or the prefixes in the drop-down menu. Use only for pertinent information not already built in the standard docket text.
8. Warning screen - verify before the docket text and the .PDF file are placed onto the court’s docket as a permanent record.
Email Notification of Filing Activity
- Users must set up email notification.
- When a document is filed in a case that you are participating in, you will be notified by email of the activity.
- When you receive this notification, you can review the document (.PDF file) one time at no cost. No PACER fee will be charged.
Embedded Fonts in Adobe Acrobat

Embedding the fonts in Adobe Acrobat will ensure that letters and symbols appear accurately and clearly on the .PDF file. Embedding fonts in Adobe Acrobat needs to be done only once.
Fee Documents
When filing a fee document, a summary of charges window will appear and allow you to select Pay Now or Continue Filing.
- Pay Now allows the user to pay the amount due.
- Continue Filing allows the user to continue filing and then when done, pay the total amount shown on the summary of charges.
If this window does not appear, your PopUp Blocker may be on. You can also access it using Credit Card Payments in the Reports menu. To access this report, you must log in with your PACER E-filing login and password.
Filing Sequence

When initiating a new action in the case (such as filing a motion or application), the new action should be filed first before any notice or supportive documents.
Internet Browsers

The court recommends the latest versions of Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Large .PDF Files
- A .PDF file should not exceed 35 megabytes.
- If the . PDF file exceeds 35 megabytes, consider dividing the .PDF file into smaller .PDF files.
- To check for file size, click here.
- When filing the divided and smaller .PDF files, attach them as supportive documents.
Lock Out

When the filing fees are not paid, the ECF system will lock you out. If you are locked out of the system, no bankruptcy or adversary filing menus appear, you must pay the fees that are due to continue.
Log Out

For security reasons, always log out of the system when you have finished filing. The proper way to log out of the ECF system is to use the Log Out menu.
Main Document
- The MAIN document is for which the document event is chosen.
- When attaching supportive documents to the MAIN document when filing in ECF, they become the second, third, etc., documents to follow.
- They can be viewed on the docket report as the assigned document number for the MAIN document. When you click the numbered hyperlink, it will then display the MAIN document number again and the subsequent documents.
NextGen PACER Login and Password

As we are now a NextGen Court, once the ECF filer has successfully completed the ECF Training and has registered with PACER for their own individual PACER account, the ECF filer's PACER account will be activated to both file and look up case information in our court.

This PACER E-Filing account is the ECF Filer's responsibility if they are shared with office staff.
Notice of Electronic Filing
- The Notice of Electronic Filing is your receipt (confirmation) for the filing.
- We recommend that you print the receipt or save it as a .PDF file for your records.
- This notice can also be used in the event that an attachment, such as large exhibits, needs to be attached to this document. Attach the notice to the exhibit and bring the exhibit to the court. The court will scan the exhibit and attach it to the appropriate docket entry as on the notice.
Notices & Hearings

Whenever a document can be filed in the Notices & Hearing category, the document must be filed as a separate docket entry under its own document event. This category creates deadlines, due dates, objection periods, etc.
Original Signatures on Paper Documents

Original signatures must be on the original paper document and must be retained in the attorney’s office until the Appellate period is over.
Party Role Type

When adding a new party to the case, make sure that the "Role" type is correct.

For example, if adding a creditor, select Creditor as the role type.
Plaintiff’s Attorney

The plaintiff’s attorney MUST be added during adversary case opening. If it is not done, the issued summons will appear incorrectly. If the issued summons is incorrect, contact the appropriate case administrator to correct it.
Plaintiffs and Defendants

When opening an adversary case, always enter all plaintiffs first and then all defendants. Remember to select the appropriate role type.
Refer, Link, Relate Documents to Main Document

When filing case documents relating to another document, link it back to that document. The rule of thumb is to relate noticing, supporting and opposing documents to the MAIN document (usually a motion or application) unless the procedure states differently. Linking documents back to other documents makes it easier to locate on the docket and in reports.
Signatures on .PDF Documents
The following electronic signatures are acceptable:
- /s/name of signor on signature line
- /s/ on signature line and name of person below signature line
- scanned signatures
Social Security Numbers .PDF Files

When filing any document in a .PDF file (such as the petition) always have the social security number redacted, as stated in the Privacy Rule, General Order 168.
Social Security Number and Case Opening

When debtor information is uploaded during case opening, either manual input or via a debtor.txt file, must include the complete social security number. The ECF system will redacted the social security number on the case docket. The public will only see the redacted number.
Statement of Social Security Number Form 121
- The Statement of Social Security Number is a required document for the debtor’s statement of their social security numbers.
- This form must be filed the same day (within 24 hours) as the petition. The form can be filed over-the-counter (with original signatures) or electronically with /s/name. If not filed within 24 hours of the newly filed case, the case can be considered for dismissal.
- This entry will be secured so that the public will not be able to view the pdf document from the docket report.
Supportive Documents
Filing supportive documents and exhibits, such as Declarations and Memorandums of P & A’s , can be done in two ways:
- Filing as a separate docket entry.
- Attaching to the main document at the time of filing.
  - The ECF document event for the main document chosen will display a question "Attach to Documents?" on the Browse field screen. Selecting "yes" will display another screen with a Browser field.
Timed Out

If the ECF system has been idle for more than 20 minutes it will automatically time out. To log in, type your password at the prompt.
Verifying .PDF File while filing

When filing the document, we recommend that you verify your .PDF files. This ensures that the correct files are selected for the selected document events.

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