Civil Case Opening
By Attorneys
NextGen CM/ECF Release
This training aid is designed to provide step-by-step instruction for
Civil Case Opening for the Northern District of Florida.
Created: October 12, 2007
Revised: November 19, 2021
Table of Contents
SECTION TOPIC PAGE
I. Introduction 1
II. Attorney Checklist 2
III. Opening a Civil Case 3
Entering the JS 44/Civil Cover Sheet Information 5
IV. Adding a Party 9
V. Adding an Alias 13
VI. Adding a Corporate Parent 15
VII. Filing a Complaint 17
Case Number Assignment 17
Docketing Lead Event 17
VIII. Paying the Filing Fee 23
Proceeding In Forma Pauperis 23
Online Payments 24
IX. Notification of Electronic Filing 27
Judge Assignment 28
X. Internet Payment History 29
i
XI. Appendix 30
I. Introduction
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida requires
attorneys to file documents with the court using a system called Case
Management/Electronic Case Files or CM/ECF. This easy-to-use system allows
attorneys to file documents directly with the court over the Internet and allows
courts to file, store, and manage their case files in an easy-to-access, transparent
way. This manual incorporates the court’s policies and procedures for electronic
filing into instructions on how to open cases in this district. Additional information
may be found on the court’s internet web site located at www.flnd.uscourts.gov.
Attorneys can open their own civil cases and file the initial document/pleading if…
1) the required filing fee is paid with a credit card over the
internet;
2) the case is being filed in forma pauperis; or
3) the filing fee is waived.
If you have any questions, concerns or experience problems during the process,
please contact the Clerk’s Office for assistance.
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II. Attorney Checklist
All attorneys must complete the following steps before opening a new civil case:
q STEP 1: Read all instructions on Opening a New Civil Case. Do not open a
new civil case unless you completely understand all of the
instructions. Contact the Clerk’s office for assistance if you have
any questions.
q STEP 2: Prepare all documents to file and convert to Adobe Acrobat PDF.
§ Initiating document
§ Summon(es), if applicable
§ Civil Cover Sheet (Filed separately, not as an attachment)
q STEP 3: Have a valid credit or debit card (VISA, MasterCard, American
Express, Discover) to pay the required filing fee, if one is due.
q STEP 4: Open civil case
§ Enter all the statistical information
§ Enter all the parties in the exact order listed on the complaint
§ Change the party role type to the correct role (e.g. Plaintiff or
Defendant)
§ Do not add addresses, telephone numbers or e-mail
information
q STEP 5: File initiating document
§ Attach supporting documents to the complaint as a separate
attachment (i.e., exhibits)
§ Attach summons(es) as a separate attachment to the
complaint.
DO NOT ATTACH Civil Cover Sheets, Applications or Motions
to proceed in forma pauperis. These documents are to be filed
as a separate entry.
q STEP 6: File any additional documents using the appropriate event
§ File a completed and signed civil cover sheet
§ File a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order or Motion to
Proceed In forma Pauperis (if applicable)
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NOTE: You must complete the entire process. Never hit the back button
once you begin the process. DO NOT attempt to open the same case twice.
III. Opening a Civil Case
To file a new civil case using CM/ECF, follow the steps outlined in this section.
1. Go to PACER. Click on EFILE and then select Court Links. Find Florida Northern
District Court and click on our link. Enter your Username, Password and
Client Code (if applicable). Click [Login] to continue. Click the check box that
you have read the “Important Notice of Redaction Responsibility,” and click
[Continue]. See Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1
2. The Northern District of Florida CM/ECF page is displayed. Select Civil on the
main menu bar to continue. See Figure 3.2.
Figure 3.2
3. Select Open Civil Case from the Civil Events Menu. See Figure 3.3.
Figure 3 3
Figure 3.3
4. The Open a Civil Case Screen is displayed. Select the appropriate divisional
Office from the drop-down list. See Figure 3.4.
Figure 3.4
The divisional Office is determined by:
1) the county of the residence of first listed plaintiff (except in U.S.
plaintiff cases); or
2) the county of residence of first listed defendant (In U.S. Plaintiff
cases only); or
3) If neither 1 or 2 apply, the county in which the incident occurred
occasioning the law suit.
The Northern District of Florida has four divisions with each division
assigned a leading number as follows:
1) Gainesville Division (1) is composed of the following counties:
Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy.
2) Panama City Division (5) is composed of the following counties:
Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington.
3) Pensacola Division (3) is composed of the following counties:
Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
4) Tallahassee Division (4) is composed of the following counties:
Gadsden, Franklin, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and
Wakulla.
NOTE: It is critical that you select the appropriate divisional office, as an error
will delay your case. 4
5. The Lead case number and Association type fields are for internal use only.
Do not enter information in these field. See Figure 3.5.
Figure 3.5
5. If filing a Notice of Removal from state court, enter the court name in the Other
court name field. Enter the case number from the other court in the Other
court number field. See Figure 3.5.
6. Do not check the Related cases box and click [Next] to continue. See Figure 3.5.
Statistical Screen
The statistical screen appears and displays multiple fields to enter new case
information typically found on the Civil Cover Sheet (JS-44). Select from the options
displayed from the pull down arrows or fill in the necessary fields. See Figure 3.6.
Figure 3.6
7. Enter the appropriate Jurisdiction code. There are four options [ 1 (U.S. 5
Government Plaintiff); 2 (U.S. Government Defendant); 3 (Federal Question);
and 4 (Diversity)]. The CM/ECF system defaults to code 3 (Federal Question)
because it is the most common. See Figure 3.6.
If there is more than one basis for jurisdiction, select the basis for jurisdiction by
giving precedence in the following order.
1) U.S. Government Plaintiff - Jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. §1345 and
§1348. Suits by agencies and officers of the United States are
included.
2) U.S. Government Defendant - The plaintiff is suing the United States,
its officers or agencies.
3) Federal Question - Suits brought under 28 U.S.C. §1331, where
jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an
amendment to the Constitution, an act of Congress, or a treaty of the
United States.
4) Diversity of Citizenship - Suits brought under 28 U.S.C. §1332, where
parties are citizens or businesses of different states or countries.
Citizenship for plaintiff and defendant must be entered in the
corresponding fields. See Figure 9.
5) Local Question - This option is not currently used. Do not select
this option.
8. Select the appropriate Cause of Action code from the "Cause of Action" code
from the drop-down list on the screen. This code should match Block VI - Cause
of Action listed in the Civil Cover Sheet to be filed separately. The “Filter” is a
shortcut to the cause of action selection. In this example 28:1331pi is typed in
the “Filter” table. The correct cause of action is displayed. If this is not correct,
click [Clear filter] to repeat the process and select the correct cause of action.
See Figure 3.7.
Figure 3.7
9. Select the appropriate Nature of Suit code is located on the Civil Case Cover
Sheet which you have already prepared with the Complaint. The Nature of Suit
has a filter feature. The “Filter” is a shortcut to the cause of action selection. In
this example 315 is typed in the “Filter” table. The correct nature of suit is
displayed. If this is not correct, click [Clear filter] to repeat the process and
select the correct nature of suit. See Figure 3.8.
Figure 3.8
6
10. Select the correct Origin code. When entering an Origin code, choose 1
(Original Proceeding) unless you are filing a Notice of Removal, in which case,
choose 2 (Removal from State Court). All other options are for internal use only.
See Figure 3.9.
Figure 3.9
11. If jurisdiction (see Figure 3.6, page 5) is based on code 4 (Diversity), enter
Citizenship plaintiff and Citizenship defendant. Otherwise, skip this step.
See Figure 3.10.
Figure 3.10
12. If no jury demand has been made, leave the Jury demand field at its default of
“n” (None). If you are making a jury demand in your complaint, or if a jury
demand was made in the state court action, choose the appropriate code to
indicate whether the jury demand was made by the defendant, plaintiff, or both.
See Figure 3.11.
Figure 3.11
13. If you are requesting class action certification, change the Class Action field
from “n” to “y”. If applicable, enter the monetary Demand ($000) of the
plaintiff. This must be entered in thousands, rounded to the nearest thousand
dollars. For example, if the demand is for $99,900, enter “100”. Do not include
the dollar sign. See Figure 3.11.
14. Leave the Arbitration code blank. With the exception of a case in which
jurisdiction is based on the plaintiff being the United States, in the County field,
enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at the time of
filing. In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed
defendant resides at the time of filing. This county should correspond with the
Office code on the initial case opening screen (page 5). See Figure 3.12. 7
Figure 3.12
15. If the case filing fee is being paid online with this filing, leave the Fee status field
at its default of “pd (paid)”. If submitting a motion to proceed in forma pauperis
with filing, change the Fee status field to “pend (IFP pending)”. Change the Fee
status field to “fp (in forma pauperis)” if granted in State Court (Notice of
Removal cases). All other selections are for internal use only. Leave the Fee
date and Date transfer fields blank. See Figure 3.13.
Do not change or edit these fields
Figure 3.13
16. After selecting or entering all of the required information on the Open a Civil
Case screen, click [Next]. See Figure 3.14.
Figure 3.14
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IV. Adding a Party
The Courts in the Northern District of Florida have an extensive list of names and
businesses stored in the CM/ECF database. To avoid duplicate entries, search the
database for existing party names before adding a new name. The Party Search
screen will appear. Notice the screen is divided into two sections. The left pane
displays the case participant tree. The right pane displays the search for a party
function. If the party has previously been involved in litigation in this district, the
name will already exist in the database. See Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1
If a match is not found, no results will display in the window. See Figure 4.2. In
this case, click [Create New Party]. Enter the name of the individual or the
business name in ALL CAPS exactly as they appear on the complaint. Proceed to
steps 3, 4 and 5. To search for the name of a party, follow the steps outlined below.
Figure 4.2
1. Enter the name of the individual or the business name in ALL CAPS exactly as
they appear on the complaint in the Last/Business Name and First Name
field(s). For example, you may enter the name “JOANNE JOHNSON” and click
[Search]. The system will look for any matches to your party name entry. A
drop down window will display all names which match the entered search
criteria. See Figure 4.1. 9
See Appendix for information on the following: Search Strategies, Style
Conventions for Names, Entering Spanish Surnames, Married Spanish Female,
abbreviations for State, Territories and Geographic Directions.
2. Scroll through the entire list to determine if the party name is already in the
database to avoid creating a duplicate party record. If the name of the party is
found in the Party search results, highlight the name and click [Select Party].
Only one name may be selected at a time. See Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.3
When a name is selected from the list, a Party Information screen appears.
This screen allows the user to enter pertinent party information. See Figure 4.3.
3. Identify the Role of the party in the case. Click on the drop down arrow next to
the Role field and select the appropriate party role. The Role defaults to
Defendant. In this example, the role was changed Plaintiff. See Figure 4.3.
Do not add party address, telephone numbers or e-mail information for
businesses or any other party that is going to be represented by an attorney.
Information added on this screen will be accessible to the public. Do not insert
Social Security numbers or tax identification numbers.
4. If a party has a title, add the title in the Party text field. Any title that you add as
party text will show up on the face of the docket report following the name and
separated by a comma. Do not add titles in the “Title” field.
5. Click the [Add Party] button at the bottom of the screen to add the party or click
the Start a New Search link to clear the screen and begin a new party search.
See Figure 4.3.
The Search for a party screen appears again and JOANNE JOHNSON and her role
type now appear in the participant tree. See Figure 4.4 (next page).
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Figure 4.4
6. After searching for, selecting, and adding a filer, the filer's name appears in the
participant tree and is added to the party pick list. You can either:
• edit the party information by clicking on the pencil "edit" icon;
• delete the party by clicking on the red X "delete" icon;
• add an alias by clicking on the "add alias" icon;
• add an attorney for this party by clicking on the "add attorney" icon,
entering a name, and searching;
• copy attorney(s) from other parties in the case to another party by
clicking on the “copy attorney” icon; or
• add a new party by clicking on the [Add New Party] button at the top left
of the screen.
When a new party is added, he/she is added to the party pick list and to the
participant tree in the left pane. Parties that are added to civil cases during
docketing will have control icons in the participant tree so you can add aliases,
corporate parents, or other affiliates for the party during this process.
NOTE: There are no icon controls for existing participants in the participant tree
during docketing. If a new participant is added during the docketing process,
icon controls will be available for the new participant only. The table below
describes the functional icons. See Figure 4.5.
Figure 4.5
NOTE: The participant tree is displayed during case opening, and during 11
docketing if the screen allows you to add, select, or edit a case participant.
7. Continue adding parties following steps 1 thru 6 until all parties are entered. In
this example, the plaintiff “JOANNE JOHNSON” and defendant(s) “AMERICAN
AIRLINES” and “DELTA AIRLINES” have been added. See Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6
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V. Adding an Alias
An alias is defined as 1) a name used other than the given name of a person, which
may be an attempt to hide his/her identity. In criminal law, court and police
records may list aliases of a person, along with their given name. This is often
accomplished by using the term a.k.a. (also known as) after the given name,
followed by known aliases. Generally, a person can use whatever name they wish,
however, legal documents issued, such as driver's licenses, will require proof, such
as a birth certificate and may require a legal change of name if the alias is used or
2) an assumed or additional name used by a person or company different than a
person birth name. If a party has an alias that is identified in the complaint, follow
the steps outlined in this section.
1. Click the Add Alias icon. See Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1
2. Search for an alias by entering part or all of the last name or business name
using the same search techniques discussed under Search for a party . Review
the Alias search results, highlight a name, and click [Select Alias]. If a match is
not found, click [Create New Alias]. See Figure 5.2.
Figure 5.2 13
3. Verify correct Alias Information. If no match was found, enter the complete
name of the alias on the Alias Information screen. See Figure 5.3 (next page).
Figure 5.3
4. Identify the Type by clicking on the drop down arrow next to the field. The Type
defaults to agent. Select from the list below and click [Add Alias]. See Figure 5.4.
agent = agent of, one acts for another
aka = also known as
dba = doing business as
fdba = formerly doing business as
fka = formally known as
nee = born (placed before a married woman’s maiden name)
obo = on behalf of
other = an alias of a role not otherwise listed
rpi = real property in interest
ta = trading as
Figure 5.4
The Alias Information for Delta Airlines now appears in the participant tree.
See Figure 5.5.
14
Figure 5.5
VI. Adding a Corporate Parent
A parent company can be defined as a company that owns enough voting stock in
another firm to control management and operations by influencing or electing its
board of directors; the second company being deemed as a subsidiary of the
parent company. Each nongovernmental corporate party must file a statement that
identifies any parent corporation and any publicly held corporation that owns 10%
or more of its stock or states that there is no such corporation. If a party has a
corporate parent that is identified in the complaint, follow the steps outlined in
this section.
1. Click the Add Corporate Parent or other affiliate icon. See Figure 6.1.
Figure 6.1
2. Search for a corporate parent by entering part or all of the Last/Business
Name using the same search techniques discussed under Search for a party.
Review the Corporate Parent search results, highlight a name, and click [Select
Corporate Parent]. If a match is not found, click [Create New Corporate
Parent]. See Figure 6.2.
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Figure 6.2
3. Verify correct Corporate Parent Information. If no match was found, enter
the complete name of the corporate parent on the Corporate Parent
Information screen. See Figure 6.3 (next page).
Figure 6.3
4. Identify the Type by clicking on the drop down arrow next to the field. The Type
defaults to corporate parent. Select corporate parent or other affiliate and click
[Add Corporate Parent]. See Figure 6.3.
Figure 6.4
The Corporate Parent of other affiliate for American Airlines now appears in the
participant tree. See Figure 6.4.
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VII. Filing a Complaint
After creating the case, a case number was automatically assigned. Write down or
otherwise note the case number before continuing. The case number
displayed will show only the year and civil case number (e.g. “10-10”). See Figure
7.1. The case number will not display the division in which the case was filed (“1”
for Gainesville; “3” for Pensacola; “4” for Tallahassee; or “5” for Panama City), nor
the type of case (e.g. “cv” for civil or “mc” for miscellaneous).
Figure 7.1
NOTE: Even though your case number has been assigned, you are not finished. The
case opening process is incomplete until you docket your complaint or other
initiating document and pay any required filing fee. The final step in opening a new
civil case is to Docket the Lead Event.
Docketing Lead Event
1. Click on the Docket Lead Event? hyperlink to file your complaint or other
initiating document. This hyperlink takes the user to the Complaints and
Other Initiating Documents screen. The filer can also find this event listing
under the main CIVIL event menu under Complaints and Other Initiating
Documents. See Figure 7.1.
2. Select the applicable initiating document type (e.g., Complaint, Notice of
Removal) and click [Next]. For this example, Complaint is selected. See Figure
7.2.
17
Figure 7.2
3. The system automatically displays the last case number just assigned. Verify the
case number before continuing. If this is not your newly assigned case number,
use your back button to return to the previous screen and enter the correct case
number. When you have verified that you have the correct case number and
click [Next] to continue. See Figure 7.3.
Figure 7.3
4. The screen in Figure 7.4 may appear when the CM/ECF database is formulating
data in the background. Click [Next] to continue.
Figure 7.4
5. Select the party or parties filing the complaint. You may select multiple parties
by holding down the “Ctrl” key on the keyboard and using the mouse to highlight
more than one name. Click [Clear] to deselect the party or parties. Click [Next]
to continue. See Figure 7.5.
Figure 7.5
18
6. The next screen will require the filing attorney to associate themselves with the
filing party. This ensures that notice of electronic filing will be served on the
filing attorney for all parties indicated. Leave the check in the box. By doing
this the filer is indicating that this party is being represented by the attorney
currently logged into CM/ECF and filing this document. See Figure 7.6.
Figure 7.6
7. Select the party(ies) this filing is against. You may select multiple parties by
holding the “Ctrl” key down and clicking to highlight more than one name. If
there are many defendants, the filer may simply click radio button for “ALL
DEFENDANTS” from the "Select a Group" list on the right side of the party
listing. This saves scrolling through a large list of names to identify multiple
parties and guarantees all defendants are selected. When all defendants have
been selected, click [Next] to continue. See Figure 7.7.
Figure 7.7
19
8. Attach the Main Document (Complaint). Click [Browse] to locate the PDF that is
the complaint to be filed. See Figure 7.8
Figure 7.8
A pop-up box will appear. Navigate to the appropriate folder containing the PDF
document(s) you wish to file. Right-click on the document and select the option
to open the document in Adobe Acrobat. This allows you to preview the
document to ensure you have selected the correct file. Once submitted, a
document cannot be edited. See Figure 7.9.
Figure 7.9
After verifying you have selected the correct PDF document, click [Open] to
accept the PDF for filing. See Figure 7.10 (next page).
20
Figure 7.10
9. The path to the File name (see Figure 7.10) will appear in the Main Document
text field box. See Figure 7.11. Since you are required to attach additional PDF
documents to the initiating document (e.g., exhibits, affidavits, state court
documents to removals) click [Browse] under the Attachments section of the
screen to add the first attachment. File size limit per attachment 50MB. See
Figure 7.11.
Figure 7.11
NOTE: For a Summons and Civil Cover Sheet in Adobe PDF format which
contains interactive form fields go to the Northern District of Florida’s website 21
www.flnd.uscourts.gov under Forms & Publications/Attorneys.
10. Navigate to the appropriate folder and select the next PDF document to be
attached. View the document before attaching it. After attaching it, enter a
Category and/or a Description for the attachment using the Category and
Description fields. Additional rows will be added as needed to attach the next
PDF document. Click [Browse] to repeat the process until all attachments have
been added. When all of the documents are attached, click [Next] to continue.
See Figure 7.12.
Figure 7.12
NOTE: The user must attach the completed Summons(es) for each defendant in
the case. Summons(es) are to be prepared for each defendant, ready for issuance
by the court and included as the last attachments to the complaint. When the
court performs the quality assurance review, the summons will be sent to the
filer electronically by the Court via the docketing/NEF. The completed Civil Case
Cover Sheet (JS-44) is to be filed as a separate pleading. This will allow the Court
to perform the quality assurance review.
11. Ignore the ProSeNonPrisonerCase flag and click [Next] to continue. The Civil
Case Manager will place this flag in the case, if any of the parties are pro se, at
the appropriate time. See Figure 7.13.
22
Figure 7.13
VIII. Paying the Filing Fee
In the initial Case Opening, the user indicates if the filing fee status is "Paid", or if the
filer is wishing to proceed In Forma Pauperis. On the next screen, the filer is asked
this question again. See Figure 8.1.
Figure 8.1
1. Answer the question.
a) Indicate Y (Yes) when an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
accompanies this transaction and click [Next]. See Figure 8.1. The filing
fee payment screens are skipped. The filer is allowed to proceed with the
final steps of submitting the initial lead document without entering credit
card information. If the filer indicates that an Application to Proceed In
Forma Pauperis is included, at the completion of this transaction, the filer
must return to the Civil Events List and select Motions/Applications to
file the Motion for In Forma Pauperis.
NOTE: The Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is never an
attachment to the lead document. It is filed separately.
a) Indicate N (No) if no application for In Forma Pauperis is included and
click [Next]. See Figure 8.1. The Pay.Gov screens will load providing the
filer an opportunity to pay the filing fees online. The next screen shows
the Fee: $350. The fee is currently $402.00 Click [Next] to proceed. See
Figure 8.2.
23
Figure 8.2
2. After you click on the next button for the $350.00 filing fee (now $402.00), you
will see the screen below which states, “Now loading the payment processing
screen. This process might take a few seconds.” See Figure 8.5.
Figure 8.5
3. Login to PACER once more using your username and password. Select if you want
to use the credit card that is already on file with PACER or if you want to enter a
credit card and hit Next. See Figure 8.6.
Figure 8.6
24
Authorizing a Payment
Once you click Next, the Authorize Payment screen is displayed as shown below. See
Figure 8.8.
Figure 8.8
1. Make sure the credit card information and the email address is correct. An with
conformation of the payment will be sent to you upon completion of this
transaction. The email address entered does not need to be the same email
address as the attorney filer. For example, the filer may request the credit card
receipt be emailed to the finance office.
NOTE: The Email Address is not a required field. If it is left blank, no email
receipt will be generated.
2. Check (√) the box at the end of “I authorize a charge to my card account for the
above amount with my card issuer agreement”. This is a required field. If you
do not check (√) the box, you will receive an error message and you will not be
able to continue with payment processing. See Figure 8.8.
3. Click [Submit ]. Do not double-click the [Submit] button. Double-clicking this
button may result in a duplicate charge to your card.
4. After payment of the filing fee, you must continue with the docket transaction until
its completion. Failure to continue will result in the credit card being charged with
no record of your entry on the docket.
25
IX. Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)
Once the payment screens have been completed, the filer will be provided the last
two screens to verify their documents and file them with the court. REMINDER,
never hit the back button or abort the filing of the lead document once you have
completed the payment screens. If you try to start over again filing the lead
document, your credit card will be billed twice.
1. On the Docket Text Modification screen the user may add any additional
information necessary to the docket text and click [Next]. The text box will
accept up to 256 characters. See Figure 9.1.
Figure 9.1
2. Review the Final Text screen. This is the last chance for the filer to make
modifications. See Figure 9.2.
3. Observe the two reminders Have you redacted? and the Source Document
Path (for confirmation only). The “Have you redacted?” reminder ask if the
documents you are filing are properly redacted in accordance with the Judicial
Privacy Policies. The Source Document Path list the number of pages in the
document(s) you are filing. If there is any doubt as to either of these questions,
it is suggested you verify the document(s) are redacted, if required, and the
documents you are filing are in fact the correct document(s). See Figure 9.2.
4. After following the steps above, click [Next], the filing is electronically submitted
to the court. See Figure 9.2.
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Figure 9.2
Judge Assignment
Review the Notice of Electronic Filing. In addition to serving as notification that the
event was accepted by CM/ECF and providing document filing information and
relevant hyperlinks, the NEF indicates who will and will not receive a “Notice of
Electronic Filing” via email. The NEF also identifies the judge assignment. The
presiding judge’s initials appears at the end of the case number, and the judge’s name
appears in the Judge Assigned section. In this illustration, case 3:10-cv-00010-MCR-
EMT was randomly assigned to M CASEY RODGERS (presiding) and ELIZABETH M
TIMOTHY (referral). See Figure 9.3.
Figure 9.3
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X. Internet Payment History
CM/ECF allows a filer to check their Internet Payment History. To check your
Internet Payment History, follow the steps outlined in this section.
1. Click [Utilities] on the Main ECF Menu bar. See Figure 10.1.
Figure 10.1
2. Select the Internet Payment History hyperlink . See Figure 10.2.
Figure 10.2
3. Select a date range and click [Run Report]. See Figure 10.3.
Figure 10.3
The report will reflect all credit card transactions by case number during the
specified range. no PACER costs are charged for this report. See Figure 10.4 .
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Figure 10.4
XI. Appendix
Content outlined in the Appendix serves as an addendum to Section 4, Adding a Party.
Search Strategies
CM/ECF searches are not key word searches but require exact text matches. When
searching for parties, the more search clues you provide, the more likely you are to
find the exact person/business. It may also be necessary to conduct multiple searches.
REMINDER: All parties are to be in ALL CAPS only.
Ø Search for the entire party’s name (e.g., WORLD COMMUNICATIONS).
Ø Search for part of the party's name (e.g., WORLD COMM or just WORLD).
Ø Use the asterisk symbol (*) as a wild card to search for words contained within a
name.
§ A search for *COMMUNICATIONS would yield all party names in the
database that contain the word “COMMUNICATIONS” but do not actually
start with that word (e.g., WORLD COMMUNICATIONS).
§ A search for *COMMUNICATIONS* would yield a l l p a r t y n a m e s t h a t
c o n t a i n “COMMUNICATIONS” but do not start or end with that word
(e.g., WORLD COMMUNICATIONS CENTRAL).
NOTE: The use of an asterisk at the end of the word is not required. The
system will automatically perform this function.
Ø Search with and without spaces (e.g., A&A METALS or A & A METALS).
Ø Search by last name “DOE”, if you have parties referenced as “JANE DOE, JOHN
DOE, DOE or DOES”.
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Style Conventions for Names
These style conventions apply to all names entered in the CM/ECF application.
Ø All names are to be added using ALL CAPS.
WALLACE D SMITH
UNITED SERVICES FIDELITY AND GUARANTY
Ø Use single spacing between all names and initials. Do not use punctuation.
J J JONES
SMITH INC
C W BRADFORD LTD
Ø When typing names that have upper and lower case letters or hyphens, do not
insert spaces.
PATRICK MACDOUGAL
KATHLEEN O’BRIEN
MARY SMITH-BAKER
SHEILA BONO-COLLINS
WAL-MART
Ø If an individual does not have a middle name, leave that field blank. Do not enter
“NMN” (no middle name), or “NMI” (no middle initial).
Ø If a party has multiple names such as ROBERT KRAMER JOHNS MARTIN, add the
extra names in the Middle Name box.
Last name: MARTIN
Middle name: KRAMER JOHNS
First name: ROBERT
Ø Business names should be entered entirely in the Last Name box. Do not use the
First Name or Middle Name box when entering business names.
Ø Do not use the ampersand sign for “and” unless it is part of a company name on
the petition or pleading.
B & D COMPANY
CAMERON & ASSOCIATES
J&J TRUCKING
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Entering Spanish Surnames
Ø The father’s surname, or in the case of a married woman, the husband’s surname,
is always used as the control name.
JOSE RODOLFO RAMIREZ-VILLAREAL
First name: JOSE
Middle name: RODOLFO
Father’s surname: RAMIREZ
Mother’s surname: VILLAREAL
Enter: Last name: RAMIREZ-VILLAREAL
First name: JOSE
Middle name: RODOLFO
Married Spanish Female
The “DE” indicates that the woman is married. Consequently, the control name is her
husband’s surname, “RAMIREZ”. NOTE: There are some exceptions when the “DE”
is used to link two first names. See the following example:
LUCERO VILLEGAS DE RAMIREZ
First name: LUCERO
Middle name:
Father’s (her maiden) name: VILLEGAS
Husband’s surname: RAMIREZ
Enter: Last name: RAMIREZ-VILLEGAS DE
First name: LUCERO
Spanish speaking countries use the “DE”, “LA”, “LOS”, “DEL” to link two first names to
make it into one name, e.g., MARIA DE JESUS, MARIA DE ACENCION, MARIA DE LA
LUZ, MARIA DE LOS ANGELES, MARIA DEL ROSARIO, MARIA DE ATOCHE.
All the names linked with the DE, LA, LOS, DEL, mentioned above form one first
name.
31
Abbreviations
States and Territories
AL Alabama MT Montana
AK Alaska NE Nebraska
AZ Arizona NV Nevada
AR Arkansas NH New Hampshire
AS American Samoa NJ New Jersey
CA California NM New México
CO Colorado NY New York
CT Connecticut NC North Carolina
DE Delaware ND North Dakota
DC District of Columbia CM N. Mariana Isl.
FL Florida OH Ohio
GA Georgia OK Oklahoma
GU Guam OR Oregon
HI Hawaii TT Palau
ID Idaho PA Pennsylvania
IL Illinois PR Puerto Rico
IN Indiana RI Rhode Island
IA Iowa SC South Carolina
KS Kansas SD South Dakota
KY Kentucky TN Tennessee
LA Louisiana TX Texas
ME Maine UT Utah
TT Marshall Island VT Vermont
MD Maryland VA Virginia
MA Massachusetts VI Virgin Islands
MX Mexico WA Washington
MI Michigan WV West Virginia
TT Micronesia WI Wisconsin
MS Mississippi WY Wyoming
MO Missouri
Geographic Directions
N North NE Northeast
S South NW Northwest
E East SE Southeast
W West SW Southwest
32
For more information:
http://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/attorneys/cmecf/User_Manual/index.cfm
