ECF Filing - Technical FAQs
The Clerk's Office is fortunate to have an experienced and dedicated staff. While we encourage you to call us if you have questions, we hope you will first take the time to research your inquiry using the various sections of this web site. To expedite your research this section provides answers to those frequently asked questions about the court and its procedures. We hope you find them helpful and informative.
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What are the hardware and software requirement to participate in ECF?1) A personal computer or similar device running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh; Portable Document Format (PDF) compatible word processing software for creating pleadings (i.e. Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect); 2) Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or higher, which includes both the Acrobat Readers for reading documents in PDF and Acrobat Writer for converting documents into PDF format. 3) An Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) using point-to-point protocol (“PPP”) for accessing the internet and for sending and receiving emails. 4) Some type of Broadband, DSL or T-1 service is highly recommended as the use of a 56K modem will not allow you to use the full capabilities of the system. ECF is designed and tested to work with Internet Explorer and Firefox. You may also use Safari or Chrome browsers but they are not tested at this time and results may vary. You must use a browser that supports 128 bit encryption and your browser must be JavaScript-enabled. A PACER account with a valid login and password. A document scanner.
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Which browsers are compatible with ECF?ECF is designed and tested to work with Internet Explorer and Firefox. You may also use Safari or Chrome browsers but they are not tested at this time and results may vary. You must use a browser that supports 128 bit encryption and your browser must be JavaScript-enabled.
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I am having trouble with my PACER login and password. What should I do?For assistance with your PACER account, please contact the PACER Service Center at 800-676-6856.
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When is ECF available to accept filings?With few exceptions, such as scheduled maintenance or unforeseen technical issues, ECF is available to accept filings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that all electronic filings must be completed before midnight local time in order to be considered timely filed that day unless a different time is established by court order.
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How do I reset my ECF password?As of November 12, 2019, this court upgraded its CM/ECF software to the Next Generation (NextGen) of CM/ECF. NextGen simplifies electronic filing by combining your CM/ECF and PACER accounts into a single Central Sign-On account. If you have linked your PACER and CM/ECF accounts, contact PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov to reset your password. If you have not linked your New Hampshire CM/ECF and PACER accounts, and your CM/ECF password needs to be reset, please call the main number at 603-225-1423 and your call will be directed accordingly.
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Is there limit to the file size of documents ECF will accept?Yes. Each document uploaded into ECF must be 10 megabytes (MB) or less in size. AP 2.3(b).
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How many documents am I allowed to file in one docket entry?While there is a 10 megabyte size limit for individual documents filed in ECF, there is no limit on the total file size of all documents associated with an entry. That said, the more exhibits/attachments uploaded in an entry the greater chance the user's browser session will time out and not submit the filing. To avoid a browser timeout we recommend that, when filing a document having more than 20 attachments, you should file the main document along with any accompanying memorandum of law and the first 20 attachments using the appropriate event. After receiving the Notice of Electronic Filing for this first submission, continue filing the next 20 exhibits or attachments using the Exhibit event. Continue this process until all of your exhibits are filed.
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How do I electronically sign a document filed in ECF?Your login and password required to submit documents through ECF serve as your signature on all electronically filed documents. All electronically filed documents must include a signature block that, among other requirements, includes a “/s/ [Insert Signatory’s Name]” typed in the space where the signature would otherwise appear. AP 2.7(a).
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I need to file a document on behalf of a Partner/Associate but I do not know their login and password. May I use my own login account?If you wish to formally appear in a case and your name is included in the signature block of the document to be filed, you may use your login and password to submit the document. Otherwise, the only the signing attorney’s login and password may be used to file a document. AP 2.7.
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When a user files a pleading electronically through ECF, does the system serve the other parties in the case?For filing users of ECF, receipt of the Notice of Electronic Filing (“NEF”) generated by the court’s ECF system constitutes “service” as required under Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b) and Fed. R. Crim. P. 49(a). Attorneys and pro se litigants who are not filing users must be conventionally served with documents in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil/Criminal Procedure. AP 2.8.