Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) is the federal Judiciary's system that allows case documents, such as pleadings, motions, and petitions, to be filed with the court online. When e-filing, filers must ensure they understand the privacy standards and redaction requirements.
IMPORTANT NOTICE OF REDACTION RESPONSIBILITY
All filers must redact: Social Security or taxpayer identification numbers; dates of birth; names of minor children; financial account numbers; and, in criminal cases, home addresses in compliance with Federal Rule of Civil Prcedure 5.2, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 49.1, and Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037. This requirement applies to all documents, including attachments.
Click on the topics below for details:
Bar Membership and e-Filing
Lawyers seeking membership and e-filing access for the first time must visit the court's Admissions page for membership details and e-file registration information. The Court periodically sends important CM/ECF and court notifications by email. To ensure that these notifications are not sent to a spam or junk folder, please add the following addresses to your email system’s “safe senders” list or to your contacts list or address book: uscourts@updates.uscourts.gov, cmecf_flmd_notifications@flmd.uscourts.gov, and do_not_reply@psc.uscourts.gov.
Absent a judge's permission, a pro se litigant is not permitted to file documents on CM/ECF. Instead, pro se litigants must submit filings to the clerk's office in paper format by mail or hand delivery. Pro se litigants may access dockets and filings by visiting any of the clerk's offices or obtaining a PACER Case Search Only Account. Additional pro se resources can be found on the court’s website under Litigants without Lawyers. Pro se litigants who have been granted e-filing access in their case can refer to Non-Attorney E-File Registration for details on how to register.
Attorney Electronic Civil Case Opening
In general, lawyers admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida must file new cases electronically in CM/ECF.
Please note two exceptions to this general rule:
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A new sealed case cannot be electronically filed by an attorney. A new sealed case and any filing in an existing sealed case must be filed in paper format.
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A new miscellaneous case cannot be electronically filed by an attorney. A new miscellaneous case must be filed in paper format with the filing fee.
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Common Miscellaneous cases are include: Registration of Foreign Judgment, Motion to Compel Compliance with a Summons/Subpoena, Motion/Petition to Compel Arbitration Award, Letter Rogatory – Appointment (Application for an Order under 28 U.S.C. § 2872 to Take Discovery for use in Foreign Proceeding, Motion/Petition for Judicial Assistance in Aid of Foreign Proceedings Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782), Petition to Quash Third Party Summons/Subpoena, and a Criminal Writ of Garnishment.
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For instructions to electronically open a new civil case in CM/ECF, review the Attorney Electronic Civil Case Opening Manual.
Filing Civil Initiating Documents
Fees
Once a case is open in CM/ECF, a lawyer can utilize the Pay Fee event to pay the following fees in the case:
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Civil Action filing fee
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Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
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Miscellaneous case filing fee
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Special Appearance – Pro Hac Vice
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Appeal to the Eleventh Circuit or Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
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Appeal of a Judgment of Conviction to a District Judge
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Action under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 filing fee
Visit the Fees page to view the fee schedule.
Sealed Cases
A new sealed case and any filing in an existing sealed case must be filed in paper format. Sealed and ex parte documents filed in CM/ECF are not remotely available in PACER to any party or attorney of record. Filers cannot rely on the CM/ECF Notice of Electronic Filing to effect service of such documents. When applicable, the filer must serve such documents by other appropriate means as provided in the Federal Rules of Procedure.
Sealed Documents
Lawyers must use CM/ECF to file a sealed document in a non-sealed case. Sealed and ex parte documents filed in CM/ECF are not remotely available in PACER to any party or attorney of record. Filers cannot rely on the CM/ECF Notice of Electronic Filing to effect service of such documents. When applicable, the filer must serve such documents by other appropriate means as provided in the Federal Rules of Procedure.
Review the procedures below for filing details:
Resources
Administrative Procedures for Electronic Filing (PDF)
Attorney Electronic Civil Case Opening Manual (PDF)
Civil E-Filing Event List for Lawyers (PDF)
CJA Activating Privileges (PDF)
CJA Exempt Status Toggle Feature (PDF)
CJA Navigating from Legacy to NextGen Court (PDF)
E-File Registration – Attorney (link your PACER account)
E-File Registration – Attorney Admissions
E-File Registration – Government Attorneys
E-File Registration – Non-Attorney
E-File Registration – Pro Hac Vice
Maintaining Your NextGen CM/ECF Account (PDF)
Notice of Lead Counsel Designation (PDF)
Pay Fee Event - A Guide for Lawyers (PDF)
Requesting a Certificate of Good Standing - A Guide for Lawyers (PDF)