At the conclusion of a filing transaction, the system will generate a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) to confirm that the document has been filed and served on the parties who are Registered Users. The NEF displays the recipient's names, primary e-mail addresses, and secondary e-mail addresses (if any). The NEF will also indicate which case participants (if any) who were not served electronically. The filing party is responsible for effecting service in hard copy on parties who were not served electronically.
NEFs each contain a hyperlink to the main document attached to the docket entry. "Paperless" orders do not include a link because the entire order is visible as the docket text and included as part of the NEF.
Registered Users have two options to receive NEFs: either per filing or as a daily summary report that is generated only if case activity has occurred. These preferences may be changed in your PACER account.
NEF Details:
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The date and time of the filing are documented in the NEF. The time is recorded as Pacific time (PDT) based on the location of CM/ECF. |
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The case name and number, the filing party, the document number assigned to the entry, and the judge assigned to the case are listed in the NEF. |
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The docket text of the entry is also displayed. |
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NEF recipients are listed below this line. |
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Parties who are not Registered Users who require service by another means are listed below this line. |
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Each document attached to the entry receives an electronic document stamp verifying that it was filed in CM/ECF. |
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NOTE: Some e-mail systems follow hyperlinks to check for security risks, which will use up the "free look," so e-mails from CM/ECF should be exempted from this type of scanning.
The "Free Look"
With the exception of transcripts of proceedings and documents filed under seal or otherwise restricted, each recipient of an NEF receives a "free look" at the filed document. Any subsequent access to the document will result in assessment of applicable PACER fees.
Restricted Documents
Only Registered Users associated with the case as counsel or party of record may view documents filed with restriction levels. Users attempting to access such documents will be prompted to log in before the document may be viewed. These document types include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Documents filed in Social Security cases;
- Documents filed in criminal cases PRIOR to November 1, 2004;
- Documents restricted pursuant to a protective order in a civil case;
- Documents filed ex parte; and
- Party consents to jurisdiction by a U.S. magistrate judge.