UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
IN RE: PROCEDURES FOR ACCESS, SERVICE, AND GENERAL ORDER
MANAGEMENT OF SEALED DOCUMENTS NO. 25-11
***
A recent escalation in cyberattacks on the Case Management/Electronic Case Files
(“CM/ECF”) system of the federal courts requires the implementation of new procedures for the
storage and management of sealed documents filed in CM/ECF. Accordingly, and effective
immediately, the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky hereby
implements the below procedures governing the access, service, and management of sealed
documents in CM/ECF.
1. Filing and Electronic Access to Sealed Documents. Sealed documents will
continue to be filed in CM/ECF under the Court’s existing procedures. (See, the Amended
Electronic Case Filing Administrative Policies and Procedures). After filing, these documents will
no longer be accessible or viewable in CM/ECF.
2. Service of Sealed Documents Filed in CM/ECF. Since sealed documents filed in
CM/ECF will no longer be accessible or viewable, service cannot be accomplished through
CM/ECF. As such, the United States Probation Office for the Western District of Kentucky shall
no longer grant access to view presentence investigation reports electronically through CM/ECF
and will serve such documents through other secure electronic means. General Order 2012-10 is
superseded to the extent it provides for service of such reports by way of CM/ECF.
Parties will serve sealed documents as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure and the
Court’s Amended Electronic Case Filing Administrative Policies and Procedures. (See, Fed. R.
Civ. P. 5, Fed. R. Crim. P. 49) The Court will continue to serve sealed orders, notices, and other
Court-generated documents via U.S. Mail.
3. Additional Copies of Sealed Documents. A party with permission to access a
sealed document in a case who requires a copy of a sealed document will contact the Clerk’s Office
to request a copy. After confirming that the party making the request has permission to access the
document, the Clerk’s Office will provide the document(s) by either secure electronic means or by
U.S. Mail. Requests for paper copies of sealed documents will be subject to the current docket
copy fee rate as set by the District Court Fee Schedule.
4. Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs). Sealed documents that are defined as HSDs
will continue to be subject to the Court’s HSD procedures. For more information on the filing of
HSDs, see General Order 24-04.
DATED: 9/29/2025
9/29/2025
09/24/2025
