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CM/ECF FAQs

Categories: Adding Parties | Attorney Civil Case Opening | CM/ECF E-Filing | CM/ECF Technical | E-Filing Contacts | E-Filing Account

  • Why is CM/ECF so slow sometimes?

    CM/ECF performance is impacted by the following:

    • The volume of users accessing the system. CM/ECF typically has the highest network traffic in the afternoon.
    • Problems with your Internet connection.
    • The size of the document you are trying to download/upload.
    • The contents of your browser cache. If it is taking up too much disk space or contains outdated/corrupt files, it could cause display/functionality problems. Try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.
  • Can I access CM/ECF on a mobile device?

    CM/ECF is accessible on any device with a web browser and Internet connection; however, it has not been optimized for mobile use and you may experience display or functionality issues.

  • How do I select multiple parties when filing a document?

    Hold down the Control key and click on the appropriate parties under "Select the Party."

    If you are using a Mac, press the OSX Command Key (⌘), and click on multiple parties under "Select the Party."

  • What hardware and software are needed to file documents in CM/ECF?

    A computer running Windows or Mac OS X.

    Note: CM/ECF has not been optimized for use with mobile devices.

    A PDF-compatible word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word).

    Internet access.

    A supported web browser with Javascript and cookies enabled.

    Software to convert documents to portable document format (PDF).

    Software to view PDF documents (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free).

    A document scanner to create PDF images of physical documents.

  • What browser should I use when filing in CM/ECF?

    All CM/ECF technical requirements including tested browsers are listed in the CM/ECF User Manual Section II: Technical Requirements.

  • What happens if CM/ECF is down?

    Filing Procedures in the Event of a CM/ECF System Outage/Unavailability

  • Is CM/ECF ever unavailable?

    A four-hour window on Saturdays from 6:00 AM until 10:00 AM PST is reserved for routine maintenance and minor upgrades of the CM/ECF system without prior notice. If you experience problems accessing CM/ECF during this time period on a Saturday, please wait until after 10:00 AM to proceed.

  • I am an attorney/pro se filer, but I am not getting Notices of Electronic Filing in cases in which I am involved. What’s wrong?

    If you are an attorney, verify that you are listed as an attorney of record in the case.

    If you are a pro se filer, verify that your request for electronic filing/service has been approved for this case (pro se filers must submit a CM/ECF registration form for each case in which they are involved).

    Next, check that emails from the court aren’t being sent to your junk/spam folder.

    Finally, log into CM/ECF, go to Utilities> Maintain Your E-mail, select your email address to display configuration options, and ensure that Should this e-mail address receive notices? is set to Yes.

    If you continue to experience difficulties, contact CM/ECF Support.

  • How do I add, change or delete a secondary email address?

    Notice: CM/ECF filers should be aware of the potential to inadvertently share restricted documents when using third-party services or software.

    Designating that provider as a secondary recipient of a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) will give it access to sealed or restricted case information and documents in violation of court order. You are urged to use caution in your computer security practices to ensure that sealed or restricted documents to which you have access are not disclosed.

     

    Log into CM/ECF

    To add an additional secondary email address:

    • Select Utilities > Your Account > Maintain Your E-Mail.
    • Select Add New E-Mail Address from the left pane.
    • Type in the email address in the right pane.
    • Under Configuration Options, ensure that Yes is selected for Should this e-mail address receive notices?
    • Select Yes for Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant? to ensure that the email address will receive notice in all the attorney's cases.
    • Select Submit all Changes, then click Submit to update your cases.

    To delete and/or change an email address:

    • Select Utilities> Maintain Your E-mail.
    • Select the email address in the left panel to display configuration options.
    • To delete a secondary email address, highlight it in the configuration panel and delete it.
    • To change the email address, type in the new address
    • Select Submit All Changes, then click Submit to update your cases.
  • Why isn't my secondary email address receiving notifications from my case(s)?
    • Log into CM/ECF
    • Go to Utilities >Your Account > Maintain Your E-mail.
    • Select the email address that is not receiving notifications.
    • In the right pane under Configuration Options, ensure that Yes is selected for Should this e-mail address receive notices?
    • Select Yes for Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant? so the additional email address will receive notice in all the attorney's cases.
      • If you want the additional email to receive notice only in certain cases, select No for Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant?
    • To add any additional cases for noticing, type the case number in the Add additional cases for noticing box under Case Specific Options, then select Find This Case.
      • Check the box to the right of the correct case number and select Add case(s).
      • The case will now display in the case list in the These cases will send notice per filing box.
    • Select Submit all Changes in the left pane.
    • Select Submit again to update your cases.
  • Can I configure a secondary email address to receive notification for specific cases?

    Notice: CM/ECF filers should be aware of the potential to inadvertently share restricted documents when using third-party services or software.

    Designating that provider as a secondary recipient of a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) will give it access to sealed or restricted case information and documents in violation of court order. You are urged to use caution in your computer security practices to ensure that sealed or restricted documents to which you have access are not disclosed.

     

    To configure a secondary email address to receive notification for specific cases:

    • Login in ECF
    • Select Utilities >Your Account>Maintain Your E-mail.
    • Select a secondary email address from the left pane.
    • Under Configuration Options, ensure that Yes is selected for Should this e-mail address receive notices?
    • Select Yes for Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant? if you want the secondary e-mail address to receive notice in all the attorney's cases.
      • If you want the secondary e-mail to receive notice only in certain cases, select No for Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant?
    • To add any additional cases for noticing, type the case number in the Add additional cases for noticing box under Case Specific Options, then select Find This Case.
      • Check the box to the right of the correct case number and select Add case(s).
      • The case will now display in the case list in the These cases will send notice per filing box.
    • Select any cases on the list on which you do not want the secondary email address to receive notice, then select Remove selected cases (this option only works if Should this e-mail address receive notice for all cases in which this individual is a participant? is set to No).
    • Select Submit all Changes in the left pane.
    • Select Submit again to update your cases.
  • How do I update my phone number and primary email address?
    • Update your phone/email address in PACER by going to Maintenance > Update Address Information (Phone) and Update E-Filer Email Noticing and Frequency (Primary email).
      • Be sure to select Washington Western District Court under Apply Updates to Selected Courts.
    • Court staff will review and update your information in CM/ECF.
  • How do I update my address and/or name?

    To ensure notification is sent to all required parties:

    • File a Notice of Change of Address/Change of Name (under Notices) in all active cases.
    • Then submit the new address through PACER by going to Manage My Account > Maintenance > Update Address Information, or
    • Submit the new name through PACER by going to Manage My Account > Maintenance > Update Personal Information.
    • Court staff will review and accept or deny the requested address change.

    If you have no pending cases: 

    • Submit the new address through PACER by going to Manage My Account > Maintenance > Update Address Information, or
    • Submit the new name through PACER by going to Manage My Account > Maintenance > Update Personal Information.
    • Court staff will review the requested address change, and if accepted, apply the update in CM/ECF.
  • Why don’t I have the Civil and Criminal filing options in the CM/ECF menu bar?

    You are using a non-filing account to access CM/ECF. If you already have a filing account in this court, verify that you are logged into the correct account. If you do not have a filing account in this court, you may register for one.

    If you are certain that you are accessing CM/ECF with a filing account, it’s possible that CM/ECF is displaying a cached version of the page. Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

  • Why aren’t my CM/ECF username/login and password working?

    This court upgraded to the latest version of CM/ECF software, NextGen 1.3, on January, 27, 2020. NextGen allows filers to log into the filing system and PACER with one username/login and password. If your username/login and password are not working, review the NextGen Transition page to make sure you followed all the required steps to link your PACER and CM/ECF accounts.

    If you are certain that your login credentials are correct, try these basic troubleshooting steps:

    • Look at the URL to verify that you are accessing the correct court.
    • Verify that Caps Lock is turned off. Your username/login and password are case sensitive.
    • Clear your browser cache.

    If you are trying to link your PACER account to your CM/ECF account, but do not remember your CM/ECF login credentials, contact CM/ECF Support.

    If you need to reset your PACER username/login and/or password, contact PACER

  • I believe I am admitted to this court but I don’t think I registered to e-file, how do I register?

    Review our Your Account page for information on registering to file in this court.

  • I am admitted to the Washington State Bar, does that mean I am also admitted to this court?

    No, attorneys must apply for admission to the bar for the Western District of Washington to file/practice in this court. Review our Attorney Admissions page for more details and requirements.

  • I already have a PACER account, can I file in this court?

    No, attorneys must apply for admission to the bar for the Western District of Washington to file/practice in this court. Review our Attorney Admissions page for more details and requirements.

    If you are already admitted to the bar of this court and have a legacy CM/ECF login and password, review our NextGen Transition page for instructions on linking your PACER and CM/ECF account.

  • How do I link my PACER account to my CM/ECF account?

    Review the instructions for linking your PACER and CM/ECF accounts here.

  • How do I register for a CM/ECF account?

    Visit Your CM/ECF Account for instructions on how to register.

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