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Registration Wizard

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Registration Wizard Help
There are several different types of accounts for which you may be eligible to register. A PACER account provides read-only access and works in all federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts. A PACER administrative account allows groups or firms to manage multiple PACER accounts for billing purposes. In addition, electronic filing (e-filing) accounts for attorneys and non-attorneys are offered. Attorneys may now register for admission to practice in federal courts as well.

In an effort to provide more efficient systems to the public, the Federal Judiciary will implement a nationwide centralized attorney admissions and e-filing registration process in all appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts over the next several years. If the court you wish to practice in has upgraded to the next generation Case Management/Electronic Case Files(CM/ECF) system, you may apply for admissions and/or register for e-filing privileges through this site. If the court has not upgraded, filing privileges are handled by each court individually.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 between the hours of 7 AM and 6 PM CT Monday through Friday or by email at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov. Otherwise, continue with this wizard to determine the type of account you need.
PACER Case Search Registration
The View option allows read-only access for viewing, searching, and printing. This option does not allow you to electronically file documents. It is not exclusive to attorneys and is available to everyone. The View option is what most people choose.

To obtain a PACER account, you must complete the online PACER registration form. For immediate access to court records, provide a credit card during registration. If you do not provide a credit card, an activation code will be sent by U.S. mail to the address you provided on the registration form. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for mail delivery. For security reasons, activation codes cannot be emailed, faxed, or given over the phone.

There is no registration fee. However, the Judicial Conference of the United States has established a fee for access to PACER. All registered agencies or individuals will be charged the fee. Access to PACER systems will generate a $.10 per page charge.

If you would like to try PACER before registering, visit our How to use CM/ECF. More detailed information about how to use PACER is available in the PACER User Manual.

PACER Administrative Account Registration
The PACER Service Center (PSC) has developed the PACER Administrative Account (PAA), a consolidated billing and online account management process for groups - such as law firms, non-profit organizations, educational or research institutions - to manage and pay for all charges associated with multiple PACER logins (i.e., PACER account) within their group at an organizational level.

NOTE: The PAA includes the following features:

  • Request addition of existing individual logins.
  • Remove individual logins, as needed.
  • Update cost center information for a login.
The PAA does NOT provide access to case information.

To obtain a PACER Administrative Account, you must complete the online PACER Registration Form.

There is no registration fee. However, the Judicial Conference of the United States has established a fee for access to PACER. All registered agencies or individuals will be charged the fee. Access to PACER systems will generate a $.10 per page charge.

Legacy Appellate CM/ECF E-File Registration
You have provided all the necessary information to successfully complete the Registration Wizard.

If you already have a legacy appellate filer account and you need to register for filing privileges in another court, click the Continue button below to log in to Manage My Appellate Filer Account; then select the Register for Additional Court(s) option.
Appellate CM/ECF E-File Registration
You must complete the legacy appellate CM/ECF e-file registration process. Click Continue to begin.

Registration for appellate ECF is separate from and in addition to PACER registration. PACER registration allows you to view docket reports and documents from a court's database, while ECF registration allows you to file documents electronically. If you have a legacy PACER account, you must complete a separate ECF registration to request filing privileges via this website. You will not have to register at each court's website separately; however, you must request e-file privileges from each court in which you wish to file.

When registering for ECF filing, you will choose a login ID, password, and security question. After you complete this process, you may request filing privileges in additional appellate courts. The same login ID and password are used to access CM/ECF in all appellate courts in which you are registered.

When your request is complete, the PACER Service Center will send it to the court for verification and processing. Document filing and access to restricted cases/documents in a court is not permitted until that court processes the request. Processing time for e-file registration can vary from court to court. Once your request is processed, you will receive an email notification of the court's determination. Contact the Clerk's Office if immediate access to file documents is needed.

Legacy Appellate CM/ECF E-File Registration Options
Based on your selections, it is unclear which path you need to take. You have a couple options:

  1. If you have a legacy account and wish to register for filing privileges in another court, log in to Manage My Account and select the option.

  2. If you have never e-filed in an appellate court, you will need to register in order to gain e-file privileges.
If neither of these options applies, contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 between the hours of 7 AM and 6 PM CT Monday through Friday or by email at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.
Upgraded PACER User E-File Conversion
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined that, although you have e-file privileges in this court, you need to upgrade to the new case management system.

To do this, you must link your upgraded PACER account to your existing filer account. When you click the link, a new window will appear. Follow the steps listed below:

  1. Go to the website.

  2. Click - Document Filing System; and then log in using your upgraded PACER account credentials.

    • For District and Bankruptcy:
      Click Utilities→ NextGen Release Menu Items→ Link a CM/ECF account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
    • For Appellate:
      Click Link my filer account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
    NOTE: You will have three chances to enter your old credentials before your e-file account is locked out.

  3. Click Continue below. This will take you to the Manage My Account/E-File Registration/Maintenance History page where you can verify that the linking of accounts was processed.
Attorney E-File Registration for Upgraded PACER Accounts
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should follow the attorney admissions/e-file registration path.

An upgraded PACER account is required to e-file. Follow the steps below to access the e-filing utility:

  1. Click Continue below to log in to the Manage My Account screen.

  2. Log in with your PACER account credentials. NOTE: If you already have an upgraded PACER account, you will be taken directly to the Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration option. If you do not have an upgraded PACER account, select any of the options in the Settings tab in order to upgrade your account.

  3. After upgrading your PACER account, go to the Maintenance tab and select Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration to complete the e-file registration process.

Non-Attorney E-File Registration for Upgraded PACER Accounts
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should follow the non-attorney/e-file registration path.

This path is specifically for non-attorneys, i.e., pro se filers, court reporters, interested parties, filing agents, creditors, trustees, U.S. Trustees, and other parties who are not attorneys. NOTE: Not all courts accept non-attorney filers, and some accept only specific types of non-attorney filers. If the selected court does not allow a specific type of non-attorney filer, you will not be able to register for filing privileges.

An upgraded PACER account is required to e-file. Follow the steps below to access the e-filing utility:

  1. Click Continue below to log in to the Manage My Account screen.

  2. Log in with your PACER credentials. NOTE: If you already have an upgraded PACER account, you will be taken directly to the Non-Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration option. If you do not have an upgraded PACER account, select any of the options in the Settings tab in order to upgrade your account.

  3. After upgrading your PACER account, go to the Maintenance tab and select Non-Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration to complete the e-file registration process.

Attorney E-File Registration for New Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should take the attorney admissions/e-file registration path.

Click Continue below. This will redirect you to the Attorney Admissions and/or E-File Registration screen. Then follow the instructions to complete the process for e-file registration.

If you are not an attorney, click Close and select the Non-Attorney button.
Non-Attorney E-File Registration for New Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should take the non-attorney e-file registration path.

This path is specifically for non-attorneys, i.e., pro se filers, court reporters, interested parties, filing agents, creditors, trustees, U.S. Trustees, and other parties who are not attorneys. NOTE: Not all courts accept non-attorney filers and some only accept specific types of non-attorney filers. If the selected court does not allow a specific type of non-attorney filer, you will not be able to register for filing privileges at that court. Click Continue below to go to the Attorney Admissions and/or E-File Registration screen. Then follow the instructions to complete the process for e-file registration.

If you are an attorney, click Close and select the Attorney button.
E-File Conversion for New Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you need to create a new account.

After creating your new upgraded PACER account, you must link your current filer account. Follow the steps below:

  1. Register for an upgraded PACER account. When you click this link, a new window will appear. Complete the registration.

  2. Link your new PACER account to your existing filer account. When you click the court link below, a new window will appear. Follow the steps below:

    • Go to the website.
    • Click - Document Filing System; and then log in using your upgraded PACER account credentials.

      • For District and Bankruptcy:
        Click Utilities→ NextGen Release Menu Items→ Link a CM/ECF account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
      • For Appellate:
        Click Link my filer account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
      NOTE: You will have three chances to enter your old credentials before your e-file account is locked out.
  3. Click Continue below. This will take you to the Manage My Account/E-File Registration/Maintenance History page where you can verify that the linking of accounts was processed.
Attorney E-File Registration for Legacy PACER Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should follow the attorney admissions/e-file registration path.

  1. Click Continue below. This will redirect you to the Manage My Account screen.
  2. Log in with your legacy PACER account credentials. This should take you directly to the Account Conversion option.
    NOTE: If you are not automatically directed to the Account Conversion option, select any option from the Settings tab. Then follow the instructions to complete the conversion and e-file registration process.
If you are not an attorney, click Close and select the Non-Attorney button.
Non-Attorney E-File Registration for Legacy PACER Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should follow the non-attorney e-file registration path.

This path is specifically for non-attorneys, i.e., pro se filers, court reporters, interested parties, filing agents, creditors, trustees, U.S. Trustees, and other parties who are not attorneys. NOTE: Not all courts accept non-attorney filers and some only accept specific types of non-attorney filers. If the selected court does not allow a specific type of non-attorney filer, you will not be able to register for filing privileges at that court.

  1. Click Continue below. This will redirect you to the Manage My Account screen.
  2. Log in with your legacy PACER account credentials. This should take you directly to the Account Conversion option.
    NOTE: If you are not automatically redirected, select any option on the Settings tab. Then follow the instructions to complete the conversion and e-file registration process.
If you are an attorney, click Close and select the Attorney button.
E-File Conversion for Legacy PACER Users
Based on your answers, the Registration Wizard has determined you should convert your legacy PACER account.

After converting your PACER account, you must link your current filer account to this account. Follow the steps below:

  1. Convert your legacy PACER account to an upgraded PACER account. When you click this link, a new window will appear. Log in with your legacy PACER credentials and complete the conversion process. NOTE: You will have three chances to log in before you are locked out.

  2. Link your upgraded PACER account to your filer account. When you click the court link below, a new window will appear. Follow the steps below:

    • Go to the website.
    • Click - Document Filing System; and then log in using your upgraded PACER account credentials.

      • For District and Bankruptcy:
        Click Utilities→ NextGen Release Menu Items→ Link a CM/ECF account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
      • For Appellate:
        Click Link my filer account to my PACER account; then enter your old e-file login and password.
      NOTE: You will have three chances to enter your old credentials before your e-file account is locked out.
  3. Click Continue below. This will take you to the Manage My Account/E-File Registration/Maintenance History page where you can verify that the linking of accounts was processed.
Registration Type Selection
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PACER Service Center
(800) 676-6856
pacer@psc.uscourts.gov
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