Please see the Civil User Guide or Criminal User Guide for additional information.

The hardware and software needed to electronically file, view and retrieve case documents via the Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system are the following: A personal computer running a standard platform such as Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh. Internet access and a web browser. Adobe Acrobat software to convert documents from a word processing format to Portable Document Format (PDF). A scanner to convert paper documents to digital format for electronic transfer to the court (diskette) or to enter electronically into ECF. Use a scanner only if you cannot electronically prepare your documents.

ECF users must have a PACER account with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in order to use the Query and Report features of the ECF system. If you do not have a PACER login, contact the PACER Service Center to establish an account. You may call the PACER Service Center toll free at 1-800-676-6856 for information or to register for an account. You may also register for PACER on-line by visiting their Web site http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov.

Attorneys who require access to ECF must complete and return a registration form. A copy of the registration form is included as an attachment to the Civil User Guide and Criminal User Guide. Applicants should return the completed registration form to the following address for processing: Kate Barkman, Clerk of Court United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. Courthouse 601 Market Street, Room 2609 Philadelphia, PA 19106-1797 ATTN: ECF After processing the properly completed registration form, the Clerk's Office will open a User Account and contact you to convey your ECF system login and password.

Attorneys and parties who are excused from registering as CM/ECF filers in accordance with Local Civil Rule 5.1.2 are required to submit complaints and all subsequent filings in traditional manner on paper, accompanied by copies of the filings on disk in portable document format (PDF) in order to enter the filings into the District Court's ECF system. Each document must have a separate PDF file and the submitted disk must be clearly labeled with the caption and case number. In the event that an attorney or party does not have equipment or the software to convert filings to PDF, a computer with this capability is available in the Philadelphia and Allentown Clerk's Office, and assistance for PDF conversion will be provided by Clerk's Office staff as needed. Attorneys registered as ECF Filing Users are required to submit only the initial complaint in traditional manner on paper, accompanied by a copy of the complaint on a disk in PDF; all subsequent filings must be submitted electronically.

Please note that in accordance with Judicial Conference Policy and Local Civil Rule 5.1.3, complaints and documents may be made available electronically to the same extent that they are available for personal inspection in the office of the Clerk of Court at the United States Courthouse. As the information set forth in document submitted on disk will be made available on the court's ECF system, all Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial account numbers, names of minor children, and other personal identifiers should be modified or partially redacted in all documents filed either in traditional paper format or electronically.