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FAQs

  • CM/ECF ACCESS FEES

    Fees for Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)

    1. Except as provided below, for electronic access to any case document, docket sheet, or case-specific report via PACER: $0.10 per page, not to exceed the fee for thirty pages.
    2. For electronic access to transcripts and non-case specific reports via PACER (such as reports obtained from the PACER Case Locator or docket activity reports): $0.10 per page.
    3. For electronic access to an audio file of a court hearing via PACER: $2.40 per audio file.

    Fees for Courthouse Electronic Access

    1. For printing copies of any record or document accessed electronically at a public terminal in a courthouse: $0.10 per page.
    2. Automatic Fee Exemptions:
    • No fee is owed for electronic access to court data or audio files via PACER until an account holder accrues charges of more than $30.00 in a quarterly billing cycle.
    • Parties in a case (including pro se litigants) and attorneys of record receive one free electronic copy, via the notice of electronic filing or notice of docket activity, of all documents filed electronically, if receipt is required by law or directed by the filer.
    • No fee is charged for access to judicial opinions.
    • No fee is charged for viewing case information or documents at courthouse public access terminals
      Further information regarding fees can be accessed at https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/fees/electronic-public-access-fee-schedule
  • KEY FEATURES

    The CM/ECF system provides:
      • 24 hour access to file or view documents
      • immediate creation of docket entries
      • immediate access to updated docket sheets and to the documents themselves
      • upon the filing of any new document, e-mail notices are automatically sent to the other parties in the case
      • potential elimination of paper files that can be misplaced or lost
      • potential savings in copying, courier and noticing costs

  • TRAINING

    There are a variety of training options for those interested in learning more about CM/ECF. Tips sheets and training materials are available online on the Court's web site. In conjunction with local bar associations, the Court frequently presents CLE training programs related to electronic filing. In addition, the Clerk's Office regularly offers demonstrations and hands on training at its court houses. The Clerk's Office is also willing, on a limited basis, to send trainers to provide demonstrations or hands on training at law firms. Call the Clerk's Office for more details or to make arrangements for training:
      • Akron: 330-252-6015
      • Cleveland: 216-357-7007
      • Toledo: 419-213-5500
      • Youngstown: 330-884-7419

  • HELP DESK

    While the electronic filing system has proven to be highly reliable and relatively easy to use, the Clerk's Office has established a Help Desk (1-800-355-8498) to assist if problems occur. The Help Desk is staffed weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (eastern standard time), and is available at all other times to record voice mail messages.

  • HOURS OF FILING

    Electronic filing extends the time in which attorneys can file beyond the clerk's office's typical intake hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The system is available for filing and retrieving documents 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, with minor exceptions for normal system maintenance. Be aware, however, that help desk assistance is only available form the Clerk's Office during normal business hours: from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and those seeking to make after hours filings do so at their own risk.

  • PREPARING DOCUMENTS FOR FILING ELECTRONICALLY

    Attorneys create documents on their own computers just as they do now. However, instead of printing the documents on paper and delivering them to the Court, the attorneys save the documents in a portable document format (Adobe Acrobat PDF) that allows other system users to view the documents in their original format, regardless of the type of computer or word processing system that was used to create the documents or is being used to view them.

  • FILING ELECTRONICALLY

    Attorneys access the Court's electronic filing system over the Internet. After establishing their identity by entering their upgraded PACER username and password, attorneys enter the case number in which their document is to be filed, the name of the party for whom the document is being filed and the type of document being submitted (answer, answer with cross-claim, etc.). The document is then transmitted to the Court's computer. Once the document is received by the Court, the electronic filing system:
      • Sends a notice of electronic filing (NEF) to the sender verifying that the document has been received.
      • Updates the docket sheet.
      • Makes the updated docket sheet and the document itself immediately available to anyone with access to the system.
      • Sends a NEF to all parties who have agreed to receive electronic notice.

  • WHAT IF THE DOCUMENT WAS NOT CREATED ON A COMPUTER?

    The Court seeks to have as many documents as reasonably possible filed electronically. The Court recognizes, however, that some documents may not be available in electronic format-for example, certain medical records. Nevertheless, many of those documents can be easily and inexpensively scanned for electronic filing. Documents or objects that cannot be scanned reasonably will be filed and served in the traditional manner. Advance planning will help avoid the need to make last minute decisions on such matters.

  • INFORM THE COURT OF CHANGE OF NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS/ AND OR PRIMARY E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

    Attorneys admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio are required to submit a written notice of change of name, business address and/or email address to the Clerk upon a change in address pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.5(i) and Local Criminal Rule 57.5(i).

     You must log in with your upgraded PACER account to make changes:

    1. Log in to Manage My Account.
    2. Click the Maintenance tab.
    3. Click Update Address Information
    4. Once the update is submitted and approved by the Court, you will be notified that the update has been accepted.
  • CONSIDERATIONS WHEN AN ATTORNEY LEAVES A FIRM

    When an attorney leaves a firm, both the attorney and the firm need to consider the implications to the CM/ECF noticing system. If cases will move with the attorney, all the attorney needs to do is to change his/her e-mail notification set up and submit a change of address to the Clerk's Office. If cases will remain with the firm, the firm will need to ensure that the Court docket accurately reflects the proper attorney of record and that the new attorney of record is properly set up to receive e-mail notification. Law firms may also wish to consider the best method of handling e-mail addressed to the firm for the departed attorney. Summarily removing the attorney from the firm's e-mail system with no further action, may result in notifications being missed. Firms may wish to consider whether their own e-mail systems should forward such e-mails to the attorney at his/her new address, or to another attorney within the firm. Naturally, these are issues that should be worked out between the departing attorney and the firm and will vary from case to case.

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