Bankruptcy ECF/PACER
Helpful Hints

Correcting a Mistake While you are Filing

Updated on Jan 09, 2019

You can use the back button on the browser's toolbar to go back to correct an entry made on a previous screen.

Note:  You should not use the forward button as ECF will not recognize any changes you make. 

The back button cannot be used:

  • Once you have reached the "Browse" screen.  You will be unable to return to a previous screen to make corrections.  Simply click on an option on the top main blue CM/ECF menu bar to cancel the transaction and start over.
  • Once the final Next button has been clicked on the last data entry screen.  At this point, your filing has been submitted to the court and no longer can be corrected by the filer.  The system provides you with a warning to this effect.
  • Once you have completed a payment using pay.gov.  At this point, you cannot reverse a payment that has been made.  You may call the Finance Department 208-334-1178 and request a reversal or reimbursement.

Please also refer to the ECF Style Guide under the reference section below.

 


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Reference Guides
Style Guide
ECF Procedures
Amended 3/13/23 [to correct email boxes]
Amended 3/23/23 [remove JDP email box]
Amended 8/11/23 [replace EJL with AKB email]
Amended 11/30/23 [to correct BK order submission email]
Opening a Civil Case
Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing Center
CM/ECF Training Presentation
PDF Exhibit Stamp Instructions
Exhibit Stamp Reference from District of Utah
E-Filing Quick Reference
File in CM/ECF for the District of Idaho
Paying Filing Fees On-line

What you need to know:

Updated on Mar 15, 2021
  • All ECF transactions that require a payment shall be paid on-line on the same day that the transaction is docketed.
  • In the Bankruptcy Court ECF system, the filer has the option of "Pay Now," or "Continue Filing." If the payment is not completed by the end of the day, the user has 3 days to pay the fees or the ECF account will be automatically disabled.
  • Acceptable Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and Diners Club.
  • Any transaction declined by the credit card issuer for any reason must be paid in cash, check, or money order by close of the next business day after notification from the court of the deficiency. Failure to timely submit the filing fees will result in revocation of the CM/ECF password.

Using Pay.Gov

  • The first time you electronically pay fees, the filer will be prompted to provide credit card information. This will include the 3-digit security code. The Pay.Gov system should remember the information for future filings.
  • If you do not receive the pay.gov screen, you may have a pop-up blocker set up which is not permitting pay.gov to load. In Internet Explorer, select Tools -> Pop-up Blocker -> Pop-up Blocker settings. In the "Address of website to allow" insert  "uscourts.gov" and select add. Also add "https://www.pay.gov" and click ok.
  • Another reason Pay.Gov is not loading may be that your internet memory cache needs to be cleared to remove retained temporary internet files.  TIP: In order to clear your cache in any browser, use ctrl+shift+delete.
  • Pay.Gov allows the filer to indicate an e-mail address you wish the receipt to be sent to. This address does not need to be the same as the filer, for instance, the finance person in the firm may wish copies of credit card transaction receipts. The e-mail address is not a required field, therefore, if it is left blank, no receipt will be e-mailed.
  • The user must check the box located on Screen #2 of the pay.gov module authorizing the charge to the credit card before the transaction will proceed.
  • For additional information visit the pay.gov website below.

 


pay.gov website

Viewing and Creating PDF Documents

Updated on May 13, 2014

All pleadings must be filed in portable document format (PDF). Users must have access to software that will allow them to both view and convert word processor documents to PDF.

When selecting the PDF document for posting using the ECF system, users should preview the document to ensure that the correct document was selected and that it appears in its entirety.

How to View a PDF File Using Adobe Acrobat Reader or the Adobe Acrobat Full Package*

  1. Start the Adobe Acrobat program.
  2. Go to the File menu and select Open.
  3. Locate the file to be viewed. (Make sure that the file extension is ".pdf.") Click on the file's icon, and then select the Open button. Adobe will load the file and display it on the screen.
  4. Use the scroll bars to move through the document.
  5. Select the View menu for other options for viewing the displayed document. Choose the option that is most appropriate.

* Other programs may function differently. Refer to the instructions for your software package for details.


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Managing Your Notices of Electronic Filing (NEF)

Updated on May 13, 2014

Where do I go to make selections?

  1. Select Utilities from the main Menu Bar.
  2. Select Maintain your account under the "Your Account" column.
  3. At the bottom of the screen, select the Email information button.

Where to send the email notifications:

You must enter a valid address in the Primary email address fields.  This is the main e-mail address of the attorney where all pleadings are to be sent to ensure service of documents filed with the court. Do not enter a return or a tab in this field as it will create an error in the processing of the NEF's. 

You may add any additional addresses in the Secondary email address fields.  Each address entered should be separated by pressing enter and typing each address on its own line. Each address in this section will get a duplicate NEF of everything the primary address receives. 

Delivery method of your NEF:

You must check the box corresponding to delivery to your primary e-mail address.  If you have entered additional addresses, you must also check the corresponding box for that item.

To receive NEF's for cases in which you are not a party to:

You may receive NEF's for cases in which you are not a party to by entering a case number in the Send notices in these additional cases field.  If you receive NEF's through this method, you will not receive the One-Free-Look offered by PACER since you are not a party to the case. In addition, each e-mail address associated with the primary will be billed the $.10 per page PACER fee as well

Options for receiving your NEF's:

To receive individual NEFS for each case, select the Send a Notice for Each Filing button.  To receive a summary of your NEF's for the day, select the Send a Daily Summary Report button.


Free WiFi for Litigants

Updated on Nov 17, 2017

The District of Idaho has installed Wi-Fi networks in the Boise, Coeur d'Alene and Pocatello courthouses. This will allow the media, members of the public, litigants and those who work with litigants, access to the Internet for business purposes. The Wi-Fi is accessible in all courtrooms and witness rooms.

This service is operated as an open WiFi HotSpot, just like many coffee shops and bookstores offer, so no special code or password is required for use.

Counsel may use this for access to ECF during court proceedings or to check their e-mail from their private service providers.

The Federal Court is not providing secured access. Everyone who uses the Wi-Fi network is strongly encouraged to use security software that provides a good firewall and virus protection.

There are several items which are prohibited while using this court network as follows:

  • Recording of any proceedings or use of streaming technologies to record proceedings
  • Using equipment for activities that are illegal, inappropriate or offensive to the court or the public, such as hate speech, or materials that ridicule others on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
  • Creating, downloading, viewing, storing, copying, transmitting, or re-transmitting sexually explicit or sexually oriented material or material related to illegal gambling, illegal weapons, terrorist activities, any other illegal or prohibited activities.

Any violations of the above will result in immediate suspension of Wi-Fi access.

In addition, if the noise level of notebook computers or access to this Wi-Fi network causes a disruption to court proceedings, the presiding judge or the Court Security Officer, may limit access at any time.

We are hopeful that access in the courtroom to the ECF system and your private e-mail accounts will improve the administration of justice in the District of Idaho.

The following document has instructions for connecting to the system using the standard Windows client. For specific instructions using your computer you may need to consult your IT staff or your system documentation.


Free WiFi for Litigants - Doc
Instructions for using WiFi in Courthouses
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