eFiling Resources

What is e-Filing?
e-Filing is the submission of an electronic image of a document to the court for filing. e-Filing is easy and allows you to file court documents over the Internet.

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What Does e-Filing Offer?
e-Filing allows attorneys, trustees, and others to file documents from their office, home or anywhere they have access to the Internet, 24 hours a day. When used in combination with PACER, it provides the following additional benefits:

• 24-hour access to filed documents over the Internet;
• Automatic email notice of case activity;
• The ability to download and print documents directly from the court system;
• Concurrent access to case files by multiple parties;
• Secure storage of documents (so files are not misplaced); and
• Potential reduction in postage and messenger service fees.

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What Do I Need to e-File?
You will need:

• A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh;
• Word processing software;
• Internet access and a browser;
• Software to convert documents into PDF;
• Scanning hardware and software¹;
• Zip file creation software²; and
• A court issued username and password.

¹Scanning equipment is required to convert paper documents into electronic form.
²Zip creation software is required to electronically file batches of documents.
For a complete list o fthe equipment and software needed to electronically file documents,
please see the e-Filing system hardware and software requirements.

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How Does e-Filing Work?
The e-Filing system accepts documents submitted in portable document format (PDF). PDF retains the way a document looks, so the pages, fonts and other formatting are preserved. Filing a document electronically is easy. You simply:

• Create the document using word processing software or by scanning;
• Save the document in PDF format;
• Log onto the court's e-Filing system, using your court-issued username and password;
• Click the Single File Upload button, select a filing type, document type and subtype
and enter the required information to upload one group of documents at a time OR click the
Batch Upload button to upload a .zip file containing multiple PDF files.
• Locate the PDF file (single upload) or zip file (batch upload) saved on your system and click the Submit button to submit it to the court for filing; and
• Save or print 1) the confirmation of receipt sent immediately by the court confirming that the document was successfully uploaded, and
2) the notice of e-Filing sent by the court to electronic filers who have appeared in the case when the document is available on the Internet.

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Are There Fees for e-Filing?
There are no extra fees for filing documents over the Internet. Access to electronic documents and court data is available through the PACER system and requires separate registration. Attorneys and litigants registered for e-Filing receive one free copy of documents filed electronically in the cases in which they have appeared. Additional copies and documents are available for viewing or downloading at a cost of eight cents per page (maximum fee per document is $2.40).

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How are Documents Signed?
Pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 9004-1(c), the username and password required to access the electronic filing system shall serve as the registered user's signature on all electronic documents filed with the court. Signatures of parties other than the filer are also covered by this Local Rule.

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How are Fees Paid??
Credit card information must be provided by all electronic filers, except claims agents and creditors, before they will be issued an e-Filing system username and password. The credit card information provided is kept "on file" and fees are charged to the electronic filer's credit card whenever an electronically filed document that requires payment of a fee is processed by Clerk's Office staff.

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When does e-Filing Begin?
Effective November 3, 2003, all eligible documents may be filed, signed, and verified by electronic means using the e-Filing system.

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Are All Documents Eligible for e-Filing?
No. Requests to file documents under seal, documents filed under seal, documents filed by unrepresented persons, trial exhibits, alternate direct testimony, and exhibits to alternate direct testimony are excepted from e-Filing. The list of ineligible documents is posted on the Electronic Filing page of the court's Internet web site (www.caeb.uscourts.gov).

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Which Cases and Proceedings are Eligible for e-Filing?
All cases and proceedings are eligible for e-Filing. However, as described in the paragraph above, at this time not all documents are eligible for e-Filing.

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How Do I Register?
To register, complete and submit online the Registration Form and User Agreement. The online form may be accessed from the Electronic Filing Resources page of the court's Internet web site.

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Is Training Required?
Yes. You or someone you have authorized to act on your behalf must attend an e-Filing system training session or be familiar with electronic filing concepts and trained to use other bankruptcy court electronic filing systems. Online sign-up sheets for training sessions may be accessed from the Electronic Filing page of the court's Internet web site.

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Where Can I Find the Names and e-Mail Addresses of Users Who Have Consented to Service by Electronic Means, or the Names of Those Users Who Have Opted Out?
Log onto the court's e-Filing system, using your court-issued username and password;
On the Electronic Filing page, click either the Account Management tab located at the top
OR the eService button located to the left;
For the names and e-mail addresses of users who have consented to electronic service, click the link labeled Roster of Users Consenting to Service by Electronic Means. For the names of those users who have opted out, click the link labeled Roster of Users Opting Out of Service by Electronic Means.

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Where Can I Get More Information?
Visit the Electronic Filing page on the court's Internet web site at www.caeb.uscourts.gov to access the e-Filing User Guide. Specific questions may be directed to the help desk at caeb_helpdesk@caeb.uscourts.gov.

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