ECF Registration FAQs
Last updated:
07/15/10
Before contacting the ECF HelpDesk, please review these Registration FAQs for answers to all your questions.
I'm not an attorney, but I'm representing myself (pro se) on a case - Can I register?
I'm not YET an attorney, but I will be soon - Can I register now?
I'm an attorney, but I'm not admitted to the Northern California Bar, can I register?
I have been admitted pro hac vice to your court, can I register?
If I'm registered for ECF elsewhere, am I automatically registered for ECF here (or vice versa)?
When I register for ECF, am I automatically registered for PACER (or vice versa)?
Do I have to take the ECF Training Class in order to register?
I can't see the SUBMIT button!
The registration website isn't working correctly!
Who may register for ECF?
Only attorneys may register for ECF. Pro se litigants may be eligible in certain circumstances, but only with prior permission of the court.
Note that non-attorneys not involved in cases can sign up for Special Mailing Group access.
Is it mandatory that I register for ECF?
If you are participating on an e-filing case and are listed on the docket and/or pleadings, yes - it is mandatory.
My firm/department
already has an ECF login -
Someone in my office has an ECF login -
...Do I still have to register?
YES - e-filing registrations are by attorney, not by firm, so each attorney on the case must register individually.
What information will I need to provide to register?
Basic stuff - address, email, etc., but you will also need to provide a "key question". This will be asked of you to verify that you are YOU, should you lose your password and need it reissued. Please choose something only you will know, but please do not use anything which could be a security risk, such as your mother's maiden name or social security number.
To see a complete list of information needed, please click HERE.
I work for an attorney - Can I register?
No, However... If you are not an attorney, but must e-file for an attorney, do not worry -- Attorneys are allowed to issue their login information to someone to file on their behalf (such as a secretary or assistant). An attorney may also add a secondary email address to get notification of e-filed documents. This can be immensely useful if the person doing the e-filing on the attorney's behalf does not have access to the attorney's email.
I'm not an attorney, but I'm representing myself ("pro se") on a case - Can I register?
Pro se litigants may be eligible in certain circumstances, but only with prior permission of the court. To find out more information and to apply, please click HERE and start the registration process.
I'm not YET an attorney, but I will be soon - Can I register now?
No. Please wait until you are admitted to the Bar.
I'm an attorney, but I'm not admitted to the Northern California Bar, can I register?
Yes, but you must first be admitted pro hac vice.
I have been admitted pro hac vice to your court, can I register?
Yes.
Can I register now, even though I don't have a case now?
Yes. You do not need to have a case to register.
Is there a fee to register?
No. There is no fee to register for e-filing.
If I'm registered for ECF elsewhere, am I automatically registered for ECF here (or vice versa)?
No. Each district is separate (Northern/Southern/Central/Eastern California), but San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose are all in the Northern District so they are all the same.
When I register for ECF, am I automatically registered for PACER (or vice versa)?
No. You must register for each separately.
Must I register for PACER?
Yes. In order to view documents and the docket sheet, you must have a PACER login.
How long does it take to process a registration?
Usually only one business day, but DO NOT wait until the last minute.
Once I'm registered, do I ever need to register again?
No. Registrations are good for life.
Do I need to register
again if I:
Lose my login and/or password?
Get a new case?
Change firms / address / email / etc.?
No.
Does my registration (login/password) expire?
No. There is no automatic expiration or lockout at this time.
I lost my login and/or password!
Please call us at 866-638-7829 (toll-free, 9am-4pm, M-F) and be able to provide the last 4-digits of the Social Security Number or be able to answer the "Key Question" (whichever was submitted on your original registration form).
What is my "Client Code"?
The Client Code is optional (not required for login) and would be YOUR client code (provided by you) - an identifier for you to note who's file your are working on (as a means of tracking transactions by client). This code can be up to thirty two alphanumeric characters long.
Where do I register for ECF?
Now you can register on-line! Please click HERE.
Where do I register for PACER?
Please click HERE to go to the PACER Service Center.
Do I have to take the ECF Training Class in order to register?
No. Classes are not required to register or to e-file.
I can't see the SUBMIT
button!
The registration website isn't working correctly!
Make sure you are using the latest Internet Explorer with all the current patches. Open IE, click on Tools=>Windows Update (consult your local computer support department first!) and run all the critical updates.
I work for more than one firm; can I get more than one ECF login?
Yes, you can. First, send email to ECFHelpDesk@cand.uscourts.gov telling us that you intend to do this. Then go ahead and register again for E-filing; type SECOND ACCOUNT in the Address 3 box (we will delete this before processing your application). Your second login will have to be different from your first login.
Note that it is the responsibility of the attorney to ensure that the right ECF account is associated with any given case. If you discover that the wrong account has been associated with a case, you will need to contact the ECF Help Desk and explain the situation.