For Pro Se Civil Case Opening instructions, see Representing Yourself page

Opening Sealed Cases: Per the Electronic Filing Procedures (Section IV.A.), sealed cases cannot be opened electronically and must be filed in paper either by mail or in-person.

Preparing to File: Civil Case Opening

• Review Attorney Civil Case Opening guidance
  • Case Opening Checklist  (PDF; revised 7/2021)
  • Attorney's Guide to Opening a Civil Case (PDF; revised 7/2021)
  • Standards for Entering Party Names in CM/ECF (PDF; revised 1/2021)

Preparing to File: Notice of Removal

• Required reading: Attorney Notice of Removal guidance
  • Notice of Removal Checklist (PDF; revised 7/2021)
  • Attorney's Guide to Opening a Notice of Removal Civil Case (PDF; revised 7/2021)
  • Standards for Entering Party Names in CM/ECF (PDF; revised 7/2020)

Preparing to File: Motion to Vacate/Set Aside/Correct sentence (2255) (PDF; revised 10/2020)

Opening Your Civil Case (via CM/ECF):

Select a topic to see more detailed instructions.

• Emergency Filings
• Complete and Enter Civil Cover Sheet information
• Nature of Suit Code Descriptions
• Add case participants from the initiating document (i.e. Complaint or Notice of Removal)
• Upload initial pleadings and all required documents in PDF format
• Pay the filing fee through Pay.gov, and
• Complete case opening and send Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)
• Follow-up Filings

After you file, court staff will complete the following tasks:

• Issue summons, if any
• Assign the judge to the case
• Do a quality check of the new case after it is filed, and  
• Notify filer of deficiencies or errors

For additional information, review our Case Opening Frequently asked questions.