Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF)

The Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system is the federal judiciary's comprehensive case management system for all appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts. CM/ECF allows courts to accept filings and provide access to filed documents over the Internet.

CM/ECF keeps out-of-pocket expenses low, gives concurrent access to case files by multiple parties, and offers expanded search and reporting capabilities. The system also offers the ability to update dockets immediately and make them available to users, to file pleadings electronically with the court, and to download and print documents directly from the court system.

To file documents using CM/ECF in cases pending in the Southern District of West Virginia, users must obtain a CM/ECF login and password from the Southern District of West Virginia. Currently, each federal district court that uses the CM/ECF system requires a separate login and password.

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)

PACER is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts via the Internet. PACER is provided by the federal judiciary in keeping with its commitment to providing public access to court information via a centralized service.

Docket information cannot be obtained over the phone from the clerk's office. PACER provides access to dockets (case information) via the Internet for a fee of $0.10 per page. To establish a PACER account, contact the PACER Service Center (800/676-6856) or register online.