U NITED S TATES D ISTRICT C OURT
M IDDLE D ISTRICT OF F LORIDA
A DMINISTRATIVE P ROCEDURES
FOR E LECTRONIC F ILING
A PRIL 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................2
A. Definitions ........................................................................................................... 3
B. CM/ECF Eligibility and Registration ................................................................... 3
C. CM/ECF Filing Requirements ............................................................................. 4
D. Notice of Electronic Filing .................................................................................... 4
E. Exception to Filing in CM/ECF – Paper Filings.................................................... 5
F. Exception to Filing in CM/ECF – Web Portal…..……………………………………5
G. Filing Fee and Summons ...................................................................................... 5
H. Electronic Signatures ............................................................................................ 6
I. Redaction ............................................................................................................. 8
J. Filing Sealed Documents in CM/ECF .................................................................. 9
K. Public Access ..................................................................................................... 10
L. Retention ........................................................................................................... 10
M. Fees Payable to the Clerk .................................................................................... 10
N. Correcting Errors ................................................................................................ 10
O. Technical Failure ................................................................................................ 11
Revision Schedule .............................................................................................................................................. 12
Introduction
Since July 12, 2004, the United States District Court for the Middle District of
Florida has mandated electronic filing through the Case Management/Electronic
Case Filing system. Unless otherwise permitted by these Administrative
Procedures, a Court order, or the Local Rules of the Middle District of Florida, all
documents in civil, criminal, and miscellaneous cases must be filed electronically
through the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system.
The Court may modify these Administrative Procedures at any time
without prior notice. The Clerk of Court or any judge of this Court may depart
from these procedures without prior notice.
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A. Definitions
1. “Case Management/Electronic Filing System” (CM/ECF) is the
Middle District of Florida’s system that allows case documents to be
filed online.
2. “Court” means the judges of the Middle District collectively.
3. “E-filer” means an eligible and properly registered lawyer or pro se
litigant authorized by court order to file in CM/ECF.
4. “Judge” means presiding judge.
5. “Public Access to Court Electronic Records” (PACER) means the
online service that provides electronic public access to federal court
records. PACER allows individuals to view, print, and download case
information and remotely access case records.
6. “Pro se” means not represented by a lawyer.
7. “Technical failure” means a malfunction of the Court’s hardware,
software, and/or telecommunications facility resulting in the inability
of a filer to submit a document electronically.
B. CM/ECF Eligibility and Registration
1. Chapter Two of the Local Rules governs eligibility and registration with
the Middle District’s CM/ECF. The Local Rules require that each
member of the Middle District bar and each lawyer seeking special
admission to practice in the Middle District be registered to use the
Middle District’s CM/ECF system. Failure to properly register for
CM/ECF may result in a lawyer being terminated from the docket
sheet, the lawyer not receiving copies of case filings, or the dismissal of
an action.
2. To register for a CM/ECF account a lawyer must register for an
individual PACER account at www.pacer.gov and request E-filer access
through PACER. Approval of the E-filer registration will be emailed to
the lawyer at the primary email address registered in PACER.
3. A lawyer failing to maintain membership in the Middle District bar
under Local Rule 2.01(b)(2) is subject to removal as an E-filer.
4. Absent a court order, a pro se litigant is not permitted to file documents
in CM/ECF. If the presiding judge authorizes a pro se litigant to use
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CM/ECF, the pro se litigant must register in the same manner as a
lawyer. Pro se litigant access is restricted to the case in which the pro se
litigant has received approval from the presiding judge.
5. The Court does not monitor undeliverable email or delayed mail from a
registered user’s primary or secondary email accounts. Each E-filer
must maintain a current email address associated with their PACER
and CM/ECF accounts, monitor email spam filters, and maintain
sufficient email storage to prevent undeliverable or untimely delivery of
emails from CM/ECF.
C. CM/ECF Filing Requirements
1. A document filed in CM/ECF must be in PDF format. When possible,
an E-filer should convert a document to PDF directly from the word
processing application instead of using a scanner. All documents,
including fillable PDF forms, must be flattened before being filed in
CM/ECF. (See instructions entitled “How to Flatten a PDF” on the
CM/ECF page of the Court’s website.) An E-filer must verify the
readability of a document before filing electronically.
2. The use of a hyperlink in a document is permitted. A hyperlink can link
to other portions of the same document or a website containing a source
document for a citation. Hyperlinks to a cited authority may not replace
standard citation form. Neither a hyperlink nor a website to which it
refers will be considered part of the record.
3. CM/ECF has a 50 megabyte limitation per document. An attachment
or exhibit larger than 50 megabytes must be filed electronically in
separate 50-megabyte segments.
4. An E-filer must notify the appropriate divisional Clerk’s Office when
filing an emergency or time-sensitive motion.
D. Notice of Electronic Filing
1. The filing of a document in CM/ECF automatically generates a notice
of electronic filing (NEF), which is an email confirmation of the filing
that is sent to each E-filer of record in the case. A document is deemed
filed as of the time and date listed on the NEF.
2. A document filed electronically can be viewed for the first time for free
from the document link within the NEF. The hyperlink expires after
the earlier of two events: the first use or 15 days after the NEF is
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emailed. An E-filer must access PACER to view a document after the
hyperlink has expired.
E. Exception to Filing in CM/ECF – Paper Filings
The following documents must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office in paper
form, by mail or hand-delivery, regardless of e-filing status or whether the filer
is a lawyer or pro se.
1. Documents in criminal cases that require the signature of a non-
attorney, such as a grand jury foreperson or a third-party custodian.
2. Unless otherwise allowed by a judge, the indictment, information,
criminal data sheet, summons, and warrant in criminal cases.
3. Highly Sensitive Documents, as defined in the Amended Order
Regarding Procedures for Filing Highly Sensitive Documents, Case
No. 3:21-mc-1-TJC, Doc. 14.
F. Exception to Filing in CM/ECF – Web Portal
1. The documents listed below must be filed through the Electronic
Document Submission Portal (Web Portal) on the Court’s website or
filed in paper format.
a. Documents in civil cases that are both ex parte and sealed.
b. New sealed cases and all filings in existing sealed cases.
c. Initiating documents in a miscellaneous case.
2. A document submitted for filing through the Web Portal will be
deemed filed on the date of submission unless the document was
submitted during the weekend or on a federal holiday, in which case
the filing date will be the next business day.
3. A document submitted for filing through the Web Portal must be in
PDF format.
G. Filing Fee and Summons
1. The proper filing fee or Application to Proceed without Prepayment of
Fees and Affidavit must accompany a case initiating document. When
a case initiating document is filed in CM/ECF, the appropriate filing
fee must be paid through CM/ECF via Pay.gov concurrent with the
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filing of the documents in CM/ECF.
2. Summons
a. A proposed summons may be filed electronically with the case
initiating documents, filed electronically in the appropriate civil
action, or submitted in paper form to the Clerk’s Office for
issuance. The party requesting the summons must complete the
top portion of the summons form and, if submitting the summons
via United States mail, should also submit a self-addressed,
stamped return envelope.
b. The Clerk’s Office will issue a proposed summons received
electronically through CM/ECF by affixing an electronic seal
and filing the issued summons in CM/ECF. No paper summons
will be mailed.
c. The Clerk’s Office will manually issue the proposed
summons received in paper, file the issued summons to
CM/ECF, and return the original paper summons with a
raised court seal affixed to the requesting party.
H. Electronic Signatures
1. Signatures of filing parties. Every document must be signed by the pro
se litigant authorized by the Court to file electronically or at least one
lawyer of record. A signature must appear on documents filed
electronically in one of the following manners:
a. “/s/[E-filer’s first and last name]”;
b. An electronic image of the E-filer’s signature; or
c. An original signature (when document is scanned).
The submission of a document signed in any manner listed above and
filed under that E-filer’s login constitutes an original signature under the
Federal Rules of Procedure.
2. Signatures of non-filing lawyers. The filing lawyer is permitted to file a
document that requires the signature of another lawyer (e.g., stipulation),
if the filing lawyer obtains approval to electronically sign the document
from the non-filing lawyer. The filing lawyer may indicate such approval
by one of the following:
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a. Oral approval for electronic signature.
i. /s/[non-filing lawyer’s first and last name]
ii. (Signed by filing lawyer with permission of non-filing
lawyer)
iii. Electronic signature or /s/ [filing lawyer’s first and last
name]
The filing lawyer must maintain a record of when and how
permission was obtained to sign the non-filing lawyer’s name
until all appeals have been exhausted or the time for seeking
appellate review has expired.
b. Approval by signature.
i. /s/ [non-filing lawyer’s first and last name]*
ii. (*I certify that I maintain a signed copy of the document
bearing the signature of [non-filing lawyer first and last
name] in my office.)
iii. Electronic signature or /s/ [filing lawyer’s first and last
name]
The filing lawyer must maintain the signed copy of the document
until all appeals have been exhausted or the time for seeking
appellate review has expired.
c. Scanned signature. The filing lawyer may obtain an original
signature, scan the signature page, and file it as an attachment to
the document. The filing lawyer must maintain the signed
original until all appeals have been exhausted or the time for
seeking appellate review has expired.
3. Signatures of non-lawyers. The filing lawyer is permitted to file a
document that requires the signature of a non-lawyer or an individual
who is not counsel of record (e.g., verified pleading, contracts, and
affidavits) in electronic format in any of the following ways, provided
the filing lawyer maintains the signed original until all appeals have
been exhausted or the time for seeing appellate review has expired:
a. An electronic version of a document bearing “/s/ [first and last
name]” filed with a statement that the original has been signed.
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i. /s/Party Name*
ii. (*I certify that I have the signed original of this document
that is available for inspection during normal business
hours by the court or a party to this action.)
iii. Electronic Signature or /s/ [filing lawyer first and last
name]
b. A document bearing “/s/ [first and last name]” may be filed with
a scanned copy of the signature page as an attachment.
c. If a document containing original signatures is not digitally
available, it may be scanned and filed electronically.
4. Signatures of judges and court officials. The submission of a
document that is signed (i) with “/s/ [judge or court official first and
last name]” or an electronic image of a judge’s or court official’s
traditional signature, and (ii) filed using an official court login
constitutes an original signature for all purposes.
I. Redaction
1. Every lawyer and pro se litigant is responsible for redacting personal
identifiers before filing any documents with the Court. The Clerk’s
Office will not review documents for compliance with this rule, seal on
its own motion documents containing personal identifiers, or redact
documents, whether filed electronically or in paper form.
2. To comply with the policy of the Judicial Conference of the United
States and the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, along
with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 49.1, filing parties must
omit or, where inclusion is necessary, partially redact the following
personal data identifiers from all documents filed with the Court,
whether electronically, in paper form, or through the Web Portal.
a. Minor’s name: Use the minor’s initials.
b. Financial account numbers: Identify the name or type of account
and the financial institution where maintained but use only the
last four digits of the account number.
c. Social Security numbers: Use only the last four digits.
d. Taxpayer identification numbers: Use only the last four digits.
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e. Dates of birth: Use only the year.
f. Home address: Use only the city and state (criminal cases only).
3. The above redaction rules do not apply to:
a. A financial account number or a real property address that
identifies the property alleged to be subject to forfeiture in a
forfeiture proceeding;
b. A record of an administrative or agency proceeding;
c. An official record of a state court proceeding;
d. The record of a court or tribunal, if that record was not subject to
redaction when originally filed;
e. A filing exempted under the Federal Rules of Procedure;
f. A pro se litigant filing an action brought under 28 U.S.C. §§
2241, 2254, or 2255;
g. An executed arrest or search warrant; and
h. A charging document and an affidavit filed in support of any
charging documents.
J. Filing Sealed Documents in CM/ECF
1. A motion to seal must include the item proposed for sealing. The
motion to seal itself must not be sealed. See Local Rule 1.11.
2. A sealed document must be marked as “SEALED.”
3. A lawyer is required to electronically file a sealed document in non-
sealed civil and criminal cases through CM/ECF and comply with the
Court’s procedures for filing sealed documents, which are available on
the Court’s website.
4. A pro se filer must submit a sealed document to the Clerk’s Office for
filing in paper form, by mail or hand-delivery, or through the Web
Portal.
5. A sealed filing is not accessible through an NEF. The filing party is
therefore responsible for serving all sealed documents by other means.
A certificate of service must be included with every sealed filing and a
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copy of the NEF should be served with the sealed document.
K. Public Access
1. Public access to the docket and unsealed documents filed in CM/ECF
is available for viewing at the Clerk’s Office during regular business
hours.
2. View-only access to CM/ECF is limited to PACER subscribers.
3. Paper copies and certified copies of an electronically filed document
may be purchased at the Clerk’s Office. The fee for copying and
certifying is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1914.
L. Retention
Paper records will be maintained and disposed of in accordance with the
policies of the Administrative Office of the United States and any
administrative order of this Court.
M. Fees Payable to the Clerk
A fee payable to the Clerk must be paid by a certified bank check, cashier’s
check, money order, cash, or electronically via Pay.gov. Personal checks are
not accepted. Law firms may remit payment using a business check.
N. Correcting Errors
1. Only the Clerk may change or correct a document or docket entry in
CM/ECF. If an E-filer discovers an error after filing, the E-filer should
immediately contact the appropriate divisional Clerk’s Office.
2. If the Clerk discovers an error with a document filed, the Clerk may
alert the E-filer of the error and, if necessary, the manner in which to
proceed and note the error and any instruction provided to the E-filer in
the docket entry.
3. An E-filer notified by the Clerk to correct an error is responsible for
doing so immediately.
4. If, after filing, an E-filer determines a document should have been filed
under seal, that E-filer must comply with the Local Rules and obtain a
court order to seal the document or exhibit. Absent a court order, the
Clerk’s Office will not seal a document.
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O. Technical Failure
1. CM/ECF is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week,
except during scheduled maintenance or power outages, which will be
posted on the Court’s website in advance. If a technical failure with
CM/ECF results in an untimely filing, the E-filer may move for
appropriate relief.
2. A lawyer who experiences technical difficulties is nevertheless
responsible for filing electronically through CM/ECF, rather than
through the Web Portal or filing in paper.
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