How do ECF and PACER work together?

As a filer, you need both:

• an ECF account to file documents electronically, and

• a PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) account. You must have a PACER account to retrieve documents from any of the federal courts with e-filing systems. These documents are available through the Internet.

There are differences in these two accounts:

• Each account has its own distinct login and password. The ECF account login and password are different from the PACER login and password.

• The electronic filing login and password are unique to the attorney, regardless of place of employment. If an attorney changes firms, the login and password for electronic filing will not change.

• The PACER login and password are shared by others at the same billing address.