Only Netscape Navigator 4.6, 4.7, or Internet Explorer 5.5 have been certified for use with the ECF program. Other browsers have not been certified, and while they may work part of the time, they may also cause errors in the middle of filing.

Yes, 4.0 megabytes (approximately 100 pages). If your file is too large, the system will reject it. The solution is to separate an oversized file into 2 or more parts and docket it in a single event. Simply label each file 1, 2, 3, etc. In all cases assigned to the ECF system, no single document totaling more than 15 megabytes (even if separated into individual computer files) shall be electronically filed without prior permission of the Court.

Yes, but.....the ECF system will not accept any single document that is larger than 4.0 megabytes, or approximately 100 pages. Wherever possible, you should create pdf files directly from a word processing program. When you create a pdf file from a scanned paper document, the file size is significantly larger. This may prevent you from filing it as a single document on the ECF system and will also take up unnecessary computer memory on your own computer system. Besides, it's easier to create a pdf directly from a word processor.

Only an attorney admitted to practice in SDNY, and registered to use the ECF system, or an "authorized agent" of the filing user, is permitted to file (ECF Procedures, 8b). A filing will be deemed to be the sole responsibility of the filing user whose log-in and password were used to file the document. Be careful whom you allow to use your ECF log-in and password. Attorneys can register on-line to use ECF at http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_registration.php

Yes. Immediately after a motion to be admitted pro hac vice is granted, the attorney is required to register to be an ECF Filing User at http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_registration.php

Yes, 2 passwords - one for the ECF system and one for PACER. To obtain an ECF password you must first register to be an ECF Filing User at http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_registration.php


To obtain a PACER password go to http://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov If you already use dial up PACER service, then you don't need to change anything - your log-in and password will remain the same.


When a document is electronically filed, all ECF registered attorneys of record in that case will receive an email titled NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING and a hypertext link to the document. That is your "one free look" at the document. If you need a second look or want to view other cases where you are not the attorney of record, you will be required to enter your PACER log-in and password.

Civil dockets are available remotely over the Internet to anyone with a PACER account. Criminal dockets are available remotely over the Internet only to the attorney of record. As always, all civil and criminal dockets may be viewed on public access computers at the courthouse.

By adding them as an additional attorney of record. Every attorney of record will receive email notification of filings in his or her case. The ECF system will allow up to two attorneys of record to be entered in each case. Of course, each attorney must be a registered ECF filing user.

Yes. (SDNY ECF Procedures, 8a).

The filer will immediately receive a Notice of Electronic Filing, which should be saved and/or printed; it's your receipt. You will also see a list of who will be served electronically and who will not. It is the responsibility of the filing party to serve paper copies on any party that will not receive electronic notice.

In all cases assigned to the ECF system, if a document is electronically filed in error, the filer shall immediately notify the Clerk of Court in writing, and the Clerk shall seek further guidance from the Court.

The filing user's ECF log-in and password serve as his/her electronic signature. (ECF Procedures #8). The filing user should place an S/ in place of the signature. Signatures for all other persons must be scanned in order to capture the actual ink signature.

No. Only those cases filed after the ECF system goes live are subject to electronic filing. Cases filed before the ECF system goes live will not be converted to ECF cases. You will be able to view the docket sheets in older cases on-line, but not the documents.

Civil and criminal cases filed after December 1, 2003, will be subject to electronic filing. Social Security cases, Habeas Corpus cases and Pro Se cases will not be assigned to the ECF system.

Eventually all the courts District and Magistrate Judges will be able to entertain ECF cases. Groups of judges will be added to the ECF system over a 12 month period.  Parties are directed to refer to each judge’s individual rules (available on the court's website) to learn whether a particular case will be assigned to the ECF system.

Use an approved Internet web browser (see above) and go to https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov Click on Query, enter the case number, find the document, and click on the blue hyperlink next to that entry. An electronic copy of the complete document will then appear on your computer screen. If there is no blue hyperlink, then there is no electronic version of that document.

No. Filing electronically does not change your obligation to comply with the Federal Rules and any applicable Local Rules. Filing must be completed before midnight local time in order to be considered timely filed that day (ECF Procedures 3c)(See also Judges Individual Rules).

See Instructions for Filing an Electronic Case or Appeal

Yes. Copies of Judges' Individual Rules are available at the Clerk's Office and also on this Court's public website.

Yes. For ECF cases, the Affidavit of Service with the original summons attached must be filed with the court in the traditional manner, on paper (ECF Procedures, 1d).

No. For all other electronically filed documents after the complaint, the Clerk will automatically transmit by email a Notice of Electronic Filing to each attorney of record that has registered to be an ECF Filing user. Transmission of that Notice of Electronic filing shall constitute service (ECF Procedures, 9).

Upon completion of filing electronically, the filer will receive a receipt which should be printed and saved. The receipt will include a list of who will be served electronically and who will not. The ECF system does not relieve filers from their obligations under the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure to serve paper copies on any party that will not receive electronic notice.

Electronically filed motions should be filed in the traditional manner. Supporting affidavits and exhibits that would normally be filed attached to the motion should also be filed attached to an electronic motion. Other affidavits and memoranda of law that would normally be filed separately from the motion should be filed separately from an electronic motion. Exhibits attached to a motion must comply with the Court's Procedures for Electronic Case Filing, section 5. Excerpted material must be clearly marked as such.

The Court's Procedures for Electronic Case Filing, section 5, requires that attachments andexhibits must be submitted in electronic form, unless the Court permits paper filing. Only relevant excerpts of exhibits, labeled as such, should be submitted. Remember, there are limits to the size of a computer file that may be submitted (see page 1). A party may move for permission to serve and file in hard copy documents that cannot reasonably be scanned.

Proposed orders, judgments and stipulations should not be submitted through the ECF system. Instead they should be sent by email to the Clerk.
Counsel are directed to follow the individual judge’s Rules regarding the submission of courtesy copies to chambers.

Proposed orders should be submitted in word processing format (WordPerfect or Word) rather than as a pdf document. Stipulations should be submitted in pdf format. Stipulations must contain all required signatures (the last person to sign can email it to the clerk). Email the proposed order, judgment or stipulation to:

For cases assigned to a Manhattan Judge: orders_and_judgments@nysd.uscourts.gov

For cases assigned to a White Plains Judge: wpclerk@nysd.uscourts.gov

In all cases assigned to the ECF system, Orders to Show Cause seeking a stay shall be submitted in the traditional manner, in person before the Court.
Orders to Show Cause that do not seek a stay, shall be submitted by email (not filed on the ECF system) to the Clerk in word processing format (WordPerfect or Word) rather than as a pdf document. Email the proposed Order to Show Cause to:
For cases assigned to a Manhattan Judge: orders_and_judgments@nysd.uscourts.gov

For cases assigned to a White Plains Judge: wpclerk@nysd.uscourts.gov

Default judgments should not be submitted through the ECF system. Instead they should be sent by email to the Clerk, in word processing format (WordPerfect or Word) rather than as a pdf document. Email the default judgment documents to:

For cases assigned to a Manhattan Judge: orders_and_judgments@nysd.uscourts.gov

For cases assigned to a White Plains Judge: wpclerk@nysd.uscourts.gov

In the traditional manner on paper. Do not submit letters through the ECF system. (See also each judge’s Individual Rules).

No. Sealed documents will be filed in the traditional manner, in paper form.

To file a Notice of Appeal you must file the Notice on paper at the courthouse, including a copy of the document being appealed, and pay any applicable fee. (See SDNY ECF Procedures, 1d). Then you must email (not electronically file) a pdf copy of all filed documents to the Clerk of Court within 24 hours. All documents must be marked with the District Court case number and assigned judge’s name. Email a copy of all filed documents in pdf format to:
For cases assigned to a Manhattan Judge: appeals@nysd.uscourts.gov

For cases assigned to a White Plains Judge: wpclerk@nysd.uscourts.gov


Failure to email the pdf copy of the Notice of Appeal to the Clerk within 24 hours may result in a delay in adding the appeal to the Court's electronic docket.

When a document has been filed electronically, the official record is the electronic recording of the document as stored by the Court, and the filing party is bound by the document as filed (ECF Procedures 3b).

Yes. See the official SDNY PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRONIC FILING, section 7 for details.

Counsel are directed to follow the individual judge’s Rules regarding the submission of courtesy copies to chambers.  If you would submit a courtesy copy of the document in a non-ECF case, you should now submit a courtesy copy of it in an ECF case. (See also each judge’s Individual Rules)

Send written notice to the Attorney Admissions Clerk, 500 Pearl Street, NY, NY 10007.

Yes. An ECF telephone Help Desk will be available from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday at (212) 805-0800, and from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at (914)390-4204. Or you can email your ECF questions to help_desk@nysd.uscourts.gov

By registering to be a Point of Contact (POC) at http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_poc.php, you will receive periodic email messages concerning the ECF system. You don't need to be an attorney to be a POC.

On this Court's website you will find  a link to "ECF Training", an on-line introduction to ECF, as well as detailed training materials for beginners and advanced users.