UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
Administrative Procedures for
Electronic Case Filing
Electronic Means for Filing, Signing and
Verification of Pleadings and Papers
October 1, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF ELECTRONIC FILING .............................................. 1
Authorization for Electronic Filing .................................................................................. 1
Participants in Electronic Filing ....................................................................................... 1
Definitions and Instructions ............................................................................................. 1
Selection and Designation of Cases for ECF ................................................................... 2
REGISTRATION FOR ELECTRONIC FILING ................................................................... 3
Eligibility .......................................................................................................................... 3
Registration ...................................................................................................................... 3
Passwords ......................................................................................................................... 3
Pro Hac Vice Application ................................................................................................ 3
ELECTRONIC FILING OF DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 4
Filing ................................................................................................................................ 4
Filing a Civil Complaint or Notice of Removal ............................................................... 5
Filing Criminal Charges ................................................................................................... 6
Signatures ......................................................................................................................... 6
Title of Documents ........................................................................................................... 6
Errors in Filing ..................................................................................................................... 6
ORDERS ................................................................................................................................. 7
Text Only Orders .............................................................................................................. 7
Proposed Orders Procedure .............................................................................................. 7
Proposed Case Management Plan Orders and Final Pretrial Orders ................................ 7
Confidential Settlement Memoranda ............................................................................... 8
Entry of Orders ................................................................................................................. 8
SEALED AND RESTRICTED DOCUMENTS ..................................................................... 8
Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 8
Filing Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 8
Exceptions ........................................................................................................................ 8
CONVENTIONAL FILINGS ................................................................................................. 9
Definition and Procedure. ................................................................................................ 9
PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM ................................................................................. 10
Public Remote Access Through PACER ....................................................................... 10
Public Access at the Court ............................................................................................. 10
Certified Copies.............................................................................................................. 10
TECHNICAL FAILURES ............................................................................................. 10
The Court’s System ........................................................................................................ 10
The Attorney’s System ................................................................................................... 10
PRIVACY.............................................................................................................................. 11
SOCIAL SECURITY CASES ............................................................................................... 12
Transcripts: ..................................................................................................................... 12
Restricted Access: .......................................................................................................... 12
Social Security Number: ................................................................................................ 12
TRANSCRIPTS .................................................................................................................... 12
APPENDIX A – Case Opening Electronic Filing Procedures...................................................... 14
Certificate of Service .................................................................................................................... 15
Declaration of Technical Difficulties............................................................................................ 16
Pro Se Consent and Registration to Receive Documents Electronically ...................................... 17
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF ELECTRONIC FILING
In the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, the filing of
court pleadings and documents is primarily carried out electronically through the Court’s
Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system (CM/ECF). This system permits
properly registered attorneys to file documents and to view and search court records
twenty-four hours a day. Non-attorneys and non-registered attorneys may “read only”
documents in the system by utilizing the Public Access to Court Electronic Records
(PACER) program. This document explains many of the common procedures for
CM/ECF. This information is available on the court’s web site, www.msnd.uscourts.gov
and should be referenced there for most recent revisions or modifications.
Authorization for Electronic Filing
The Local Uniform Civil Rules of the United States District Courts for the Northern
District of Mississippi and the Southern District of Mississippi (“Local Rules”) mandate
electronic filing in conjunction with Rules 5(c) and 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. These rules direct the
courts to establish practices and procedures for the filing, signing, and verification of
documents by electronic means. The following procedures govern electronic filing in this
district unless, due to circumstances in a particular case, a judicial officer or the Clerk of
the Court determines that these policies and procedures should be modified.
Participants in Electronic Filing
While all parties, including those proceeding pro se, may register with PACER to receive
“read only” accounts, only registered attorneys, as officers of the court, are permitted to
file electronically. Pro Se (Non-Prisoner) parties may consent to receive electronic notice
of the filing of documents. [attached below]
Definitions and Instructions
1) The term “conventional filing” means presentation to the Office of the Clerk of a
filing which cannot or should not be filed electronically in CM/ECF.
2) The term “document” includes pleadings, motions, exhibits, declarations, affidavits,
memoranda, papers, orders, notices, and any other filing by or to the court, whether
the document is electronic or a hard or paper copy. “Hard copy” and “paper copy” are
used interchangeably in these procedures.
3) The term “ECF” refers to the Court’s Electronic Case Filing system. The term
“CM/ECF” is used interchangeably with the terms “ECF” and “system” and refers to
the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system.
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4) An “ECF Filing User” is an attorney who is registered through PACER to use the
ECF system and is otherwise authorized to file documents electronically.
5) A “Pacer User” is a person who is only entitled to read the documents filed in a case
through PACER and may not file documents electronically through CM/ECF.
6) “Electronic filing” means uploading a document in PDF format to file that document
in a case using CM/ECF. Sending a document or pleading to the court via e-mail is
not an “electronic filing.”
7) The “E-Mail Address of Record” is the e-mail address of each party or attorney in the
case that corresponds with their PACER account.
8) The term “Local Rules” refers to the LOCAL UNIFORM CIVIL RULES OF THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI AND THE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI and THE UNIFORM LOCAL CRIMINAL RULES OF
THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI.
9) A “Notice of Electronic Filing” (NEF) is generated automatically by CM/ECF upon
completion of an electronic filing.
10) The term “PACER” refers to Public Access to Court Electronic Records, which is an
electronic public access service that allows users to view case and docket information
from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts via www.pacer.uscourts.gov.
11) The term “PDF” refers to Portable Document Format. A PDF document allows
anyone to open a document across a broad range of hardware and software, with
layout, format, links, and images intact.
12) “Sealed access” and/or “restricted access” means only the Court or certain individuals
have permission to view particular electronic case files.
Selection and Designation of Cases for ECF
Unless otherwise permitted by these administrative procedures or unless otherwise
authorized by the assigned judge, all documents submitted for filing must be filed
electronically by an attorney of record. Pro se filings must be delivered to the Clerk’s
office by mail or in person and uploaded to the system by the Office of the Clerk – parties
proceeding pro se may not file electronically.
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REGISTRATION FOR ELECTRONIC FILING
Eligibility
Only attorneys admitted to practice in this court, including attorneys admitted under the
pro hac vice provisions of the local rules of this district, may register as ECF Filing
Users. No other person may register as an ECF Filing User.
Registration
1) Admitted attorneys should register for electronic filing privileges through their
PACER account. Each attorney in a law firm must register individually.
2) An attorney’s registration constitutes waiver of conventional service of documents.
By registering, the attorney agrees to accept service of the Notice of Electronic Filing
by e-mail.
3) Attorneys are solely responsible for updating their contact information including
current mailing address and e-mail addresses through their PACER account.
Passwords
Pursuant to FED. R. CIV. P. 11, every pleading, motion, and other paper (except lists,
schedules, statements, or amendments thereto) must be signed by at least one attorney of
record or, if the party is not represented by an attorney, all papers must be signed by the
party. An attorney’s password combined with the user’s identification (login) serves as
the attorney’s signature for Rule 11 and other purposes. Attorneys must not allow other
attorneys to use their login and password for any ECF filing. It is imperative that all
attorneys protect and secure their passwords. In the event of the resignation or
reassignment of the person with authority to use a password, the attorney should change
their password immediately through PACER.
No attorney should knowingly permit his or her password to be utilized by anyone other
than an authorized employee of their office. Once registered, attorneys are responsible for
all documents filed with their password.
Pro Hac Vice Application
Pursuant to L.U.Civ.R.83.1(d)(4) a non-resident attorney, seeking to appear pro hac vice
in a proceeding pending in a federal court of this state, must submit to local counsel the
verified application (L.U.CIV.R. Form 6) accompanied by a certificate of good standing
issued within ninety (90) days of the date of the application by the licensing authority for
all states, as well as the District of Columbia, where the applicant has been admitted to
practice law. Local counsel must file the application on behalf of the non-resident
attorney. The filer will be prompted to pay the non-refundable fee upon filing the Motion
to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Once admitted, the pro hac vice attorney will register for e-
filing through PACER.
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ELECTRONIC FILING OF DOCUMENTS
Filing
1) Unless otherwise permitted by these procedures or otherwise authorized by the
assigned judge, all documents1 submitted for filing in this district in civil and criminal
cases, no matter when a case was originally filed, must be filed electronically by the
attorney. Documents filed by parties proceeding pro se will be scanned and uploaded
to the system by the Office of the Clerk.
2) In the case of documents requiring leave of court before filing, such as an amended
complaint or a document to be filed out of time, the filing attorney may attach the
proposed document as an exhibit to a motion requesting such leave. If the motion is
granted, the attorney must electronically file the proposed document as an
independent document after entry of the court’s order.
3) Electronic transmission of a document that complies with these procedures will, upon
the completed transmission through CM/ECF, constitute filing of the document for all
purposes of the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure and the Local Rules of
this court, and will constitute entry of that document onto the docket maintained by
the Clerk pursuant to FED.R.CIV.P. 79 and FED.R.CRIM.P. 55.
4) A receipt acknowledging that a document has been filed, or Notice of Electronic
Filing (NEF), will appear on the filer’s screen upon successful submission of the
filing. Parties can also verify the filing of documents by reviewing the court’s
electronic docket sheet. The court may, upon the motion of a party or upon its own
motion, strike any inappropriately filed document from the docket.
5) Filing documents electronically does not alter any filing deadlines. All electronic
transmissions of documents must be completed (i.e., received completely by the
Office of the Clerk) prior to midnight in order to be considered timely filed that day.
Although parties may file documents electronically 24 hours a day, attorneys and
parties are strongly encouraged to file all documents during the regular business hours
of the Office of the Clerk, when assistance is available. Any document filed
electronically will be deemed filed at the time and date stated on the NEF received
from the Court.
6) All documents which form part of a single pleading, and which are being filed at the
same time may be electronically filed together under one document number, e.g., the
motion and a supporting affidavit, with the exception of memoranda in support.
Memoranda in support will be electronically filed separately and shown as a related
document to the motion pursuant to L.U.CIV.R. 7(b)(2).
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The requirement that “all documents” be filed electronically includes briefs, attachments and exhibits used in
support of motions.
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7) In filing documents and attachments to documents, a filing party should convert all
documents to a flattened PDF format. There is a maximum limit on the size of each
PDF document which will be accepted at one time by CM/ECF. The filing party
should file the original document and each exhibit as a separate attachment,
identifying attachments with a letter or number and a meaningful description pursuant
to L.U.CIV.R. 7(b)(2). If necessary, due to size limitations, the attorney may need to
continue to file any remaining exhibits using the event “Exhibits to Other Document”
until all have been electronically filed. Depending upon the file size and load on the
system, you may experience delays in filing large documents. Filing is complete upon
receipt of the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF).
Filing a Civil Complaint or Notice of Removal
1) Civil Complaint: A civil complaint must be submitted electronically in PDF format.
The required filing fee or motion to proceed In Forma Pauperis must accompany the
complaint, civil cover sheet and summons. Payment of the required filing fee must be
submitted through the U.S. Treasury internet credit card program (www.pay.gov)
within the court’s CM/ECF system at the time of submission. Electronic filing is
strongly encouraged, however the Office of the Clerk will continue to accept original
complaints only in special and extraordinary circumstances.
2) Notice of Removal: A Notice of Removal must be accompanied by the state court
complaint and be filed in the manner described above for civil complaints. Pursuant
to L.U.CIV.R. 5(b) the removing party must electronically file a copy of the entire
state court record within 14 days of the date of removal. The state court record must
be filed using the event “State Court Record – Removal.” The Notice or Certificate of
Filing State Court Record will serve as the main document, with each state court
document attached as separate PDF(s). All attachments must be clearly identified.
The state court record cannot be filed conventionally. The parties will, within 14 days
after the Case Management Conference, file as separate docket items any unresolved
motions that were filed in state court which they wish to advance.
3) Service of summons and complaint must comply with Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure. Summons will be issued by the Office of the Clerk. The party
requesting the summons must complete the top portion of the summons form (current
form AO-440) and submit it to the Clerk’s office with the complaint, or if after the
complaint has been filed, email it to
[email protected] for
issuance. The issued summons will be filed by the Clerk and should be printed from
the NEF for service.
4) Any fee required in this court is payable to the Clerk of the Court by law firm check,
money order, debit, or major credit card. The court will not maintain electronic billing
or debit accounts for lawyers or law firms.
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Filing Criminal Charges
All criminal complaints, informations, indictments and requests for issuance of summons
and warrants must be filed conventionally on paper with the court. The court will upload
these documents into the system.
Signatures
1) When a document is filed using the attorney’s electronic filing account, the attorney’s
name on a signature block constitutes his or her signature under Rule 11 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and is sufficient for all other purposes. All pleadings
filed by a pro se party must be signed with a handwritten, “wet” signature.
2) All documents which must contain original signatures, other than those of a
participating attorney, or which require either verification or an unsworn declaration
under any rule or statute, will be filed electronically, with originally executed copies
maintained by the filer until all time periods for the appeal have expired.
3) Endorsement by attorney: In the case of a stipulation, agreed order, or other document
to bear the signature of two or more attorneys, a Notice of Endorsement may be
required.
4) A judicial officer may sign a judgment or order using a “wet” or “ink” signature, or
by means of an electronic signature in the format “s/Jane Doe” or any variation
thereof. A judicial officer may also issue routine orders as “TEXT ONLY” orders in
the manner set forth in the relevant section below.
Title of Documents
The person electronically filing a pleading or other document will be responsible for
designating a title for the pleading or other document by using one of the categories
contained in the Events List in the CM/ECF Document Filing System.
Errors in Filing
Once a document is submitted electronically, it becomes part of the court file, and
corrections may be made only by the court and/or the Office of the Clerk. The system
will not permit the filing party to make changes to a document or docket entry once the
transaction has been accepted, and the filer should not attempt to refile a document.
If a filing party discovers an error, the party should contact the Office of the Clerk as
soon as possible with the case number and document number for which the correction
should be made. If appropriate, the Office of the Clerk will enter a Notice of Correction
on the docket indicating that the document was filed in error, or otherwise describing the
error. The Office of the Clerk will inform the filing party of any corrective steps which
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may need to be taken. Filers are expected to promptly remedy any deficiencies and make
all corrections as directed by the Clerk.
ORDERS
Text Only Orders
The assigned judge may enter routine orders using a text-only entry upon the docket. In
such cases, no PDF document will issue, and the entry will contain language that “NO
FURTHER WRITTEN ORDER WILL ISSUE FROM THE COURT.” The text-only
entry will constitute the court’s only order on the matter. A text-only order carries the
same weight and authority as a written order signed by the judge. The system will
generate a Notice of Electronic Filing for text-only entries as described in these
procedures.
Proposed Orders Procedure
Pursuant to L.U.CIV.R 7(b)(2)(F), moving parties will simultaneously provide a copy of a
proposed order to the judge before whom a motion is pending. Except when directed by
the Court, attorneys must not file proposed orders electronically as a separate pleading or
as an attachment to a pleading. Instead, all proposed orders must be e-mailed to the
chambers of the appropriate judicial officer for the case. The proposed order must be in
MS WORD FORMAT. Proposed orders should be attached to an e-mail and sent to the
appropriate judicial officer at the address listed on the Court’s website.2 The subject line
of the e-mail message should indicate the case title, number, and document number of the
motion, e.g., Smith v. Jones 3:02-cv-1234, motion#. The document will include the
electronic signature(s) of the filing counsel and a signature line for the judge. Documents
to bear the signature of two or more attorneys, should follow these procedures:
1) The filing attorney will initially confirm that the content of the document is
acceptable to all persons required to sign the document.
2) The filing attorney will then email the proposed document to the presiding judge,
indicating the signatories, e.g., “s/Jane Doe,” “s/John Doe,” etc., with a copy to all
attorneys in the case.
3) If a hard copy of the document is generated, the filing attorney will retain the hard
copy of the document containing the original signatures.
Proposed Case Management Plan Orders and Final Pretrial Orders
Proposed Case Management Plan Orders and Final Pretrial Orders, when required by the
local rules or by the judicial officer assigned to the case, will be submitted by e-mail to
the appropriate judicial officer at the chambers e-mail address listed above. A signature
line for the judicial officer will be included.
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Chambers e-mail addresses for out-of-district judges who sit by designation in this district should be confirmed
with the respective chambers.
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Confidential Settlement Memoranda
Confidential Settlement Memoranda are not pleadings in the case and are not to be filed
in the system. Such memoranda will be submitted by e-mail to the appropriate judicial
officer at the chambers e-mail address listed above.
Entry of Orders
The Office of the Clerk of Court or a judicial officer of the court will enter all orders,
decrees, judgments, and proceedings of the court in accordance with the Electronic Filing
Procedures, which will constitute entry of the order, decree, judgment, or proceeding on
the docket kept by the Office of the Clerk under FED.R.CIV.P. 58 and FED.R.CRIM.P. 55.
SEALED AND RESTRICTED DOCUMENTS
Definitions
Sealing and restricting documents requires a court order prior to filing.
(i) SEALED: A “sealed” document is one that is accessible only by the Court. Public
users, parties, and attorneys of record cannot access sealed documents.
(ii) RESTRICTED: A “restricted” document is one that has a restriction level less
than sealed. Permission to view “restricted” documents can be tailored to fit the
situation, by specifying whom should have permission to view the document.
Filing Procedures:
To have a document sealed or restricted,
(i) a Motion to Seal or Restrict must first be filed electronically.
(a) a Motion to Seal or Restrict is typically a public document. In extraordinary
situations, when the Motion itself needs to be sealed or restricted, the Motion
should be submitted directly to the presiding judge’s chambers for
consideration.
(ii) The documents proposed to be sealed or restricted and a proposed order must be
submitted via email directly to the presiding judge’s chambers.
(iii)If permission to seal or restrict is granted,
(a) the documents to be filed as sealed or restricted must be emailed directly to
the Clerk at
[email protected] along with a copy of the
judge’s order. (*Note: If the sealed or restricted filing is a video or audio
exhibit to a pleading, follow the steps for conventional filing outlined in
Section VI – Conventional Filings.)
(b) The Clerk will then file the documents at the ordered sealed or restricted level.
Exceptions
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Government motions filed pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 35 or Section 5K1.1 of the United
States Sentencing Guidelines or 18 U.S.C. 3553(e), as well as certain sentencing
documents are automatically restricted by CM/ECF. NOTE: The filer must select the
correct and appropriate filing events in CM/ECF, and must select which parties have
permission to view the document if prompted to do so, to help the Court determine which
people and parties are authorized to view those filings.
Service
Although sealed and restricted documents are filed in CM/ECF, they are not accessible or
viewable electronically, and service of sealed and restricted documents cannot be
accomplished through CM/ECF.
Parties must serve sealed and restricted documents by other appropriate means as
provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure. The court will serve sealed and restricted
documents in paper, by mail, or by another secure method.
CONVENTIONAL FILINGS
Definition and Procedure (*Note: These instructions are NOT for electronic trial or
hearing exhibits. Please follow your Judge’s directions for trial and hearing
exhibits.)
As used in these procedures, “conventionally” filed documents or exhibits are those that
cannot be converted or reduced to a PDF format. This includes physical objects and
digital audio or video files that are exhibits to a pleading. Because these types of filings
cannot be filed and stored in CM/ECF, they must be filed “conventionally”.
1) To file “conventionally” (*Note: If you wish to seal or restrict access to your filing,
you must first follow the procedures outlined in Section V – Sealed and Restricted
Documents.):
(i) Digital File. For a digital file that cannot be reduced to PDF format, such as a
digital audio or video file, first file a Notice of Conventional Filing [See
L.U.CIV.R. Form 2f] electronically as a separate docket entry* on the docket of
the case, using the event “Notice of Conventional Filing”. (*For video or audio
exhibits to restricted filings such as criminal motions for upward or downward
departure or sentencing documents, please contact the Clerk’s office for guidance
before filing.) The Clerk receives this Notice. After the Notice is reviewed, the
Clerk will provide the filer a with a secure link for submission of the filing. Do
not email or mail digital media (usb drives, CDs) to chambers or the clerk’s
office.
2) Service of Conventional Filings: Conventional filings must be served in the manner
provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules, except as
otherwise provided by order of the court.
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PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM
Public Remote Access Through PACER
1) Civil and Criminal cases: The public can access the Court’s records through the
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (“PACER”) system. PACER users may
access the Court’s public files at www.pacer.gov Unless a user has a CM/ECF filing
level account, access to the system will be on a “read only” basis.
2) Social Security cases: Only an attorney of record may remotely view records in
social security cases.
Public Access at the Court
The public will have free electronic access for viewing of civil and criminal documents
filed in the system in the Office of the Clerk during regular business hours. A copy fee
for reproduction of documents is required in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §1914.
Certified Copies
Certified copies of electronically filed documents may be obtained at the Office of the
Clerk, during regular business hours. A list of fees is available on the court’s website at
www.msnd.uscourts.gov.
TECHNICAL FAILURES
The Court’s System
The Office of the Clerk will deem the public website for the Northern District of
Mississippi to be subject to a technical failure on a given day if the site is unable to
accept filings continuously or intermittently over the course of any period of time greater
than one hour after 12:00 noon that day.
For questions about system failure call the Office of the Clerk at 662-234-1971.
When unable to file a document in a timely manner due to a failure of the court’s system,
a document may be filed conventionally, and the filer will explain the conventional filing
by attaching a Declaration of Technical Difficulties form [attached below] to the
document and emailing both documents to the Office of the Clerk for filing. The Office
of the Clerk will file the pleading and the Declaration of Technical Difficulties as an
attachment.
The Attorney’s System
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If the attorney is unable to file a document in a timely manner due to technical difficulties
in the user’s system, the attorney should file the document conventionally by emailing
said document along with the Declaration of Technical Difficulties, [attached below], to
the Office of the Clerk.
PRIVACY
The privacy provisions of these procedures must comply with the policy of the Judicial
Conference of the United States, and the E-Government Act of 2002, which includes a
goal of promoting electronic access to case files while still protecting personal privacy. In
this regard, counsel will refrain from including, or will partially redact where inclusion is
necessary and relevant to the case, the following personal data identifiers from all
pleadings filed with the court, including exhibits thereto, whether filed electronically or
in paper, unless otherwise ordered by the court:
1) Social Security numbers. If an individual’s social security number must be included
in a pleading, only the last four digits of that number should be used.
2) Names of minor children. If the involvement of a minor child must be mentioned,
only the initials of that child should be used.
3) Dates of birth. If an individual’s date of birth must be included in a pleading, only the
year should be used.
4) Financial account numbers. If financial account numbers are relevant, only the last
four digits of these numbers should be used.
5) Home addresses to the city and state. All addresses in criminal cases will be limited to
the city and state.
In compliance with the E-Government Act of 2002, a party wishing to file a document
containing the personal data identifiers listed above may do so in accordance with
FED.R.CIV.P. 5.2 (f) - (h).
The responsibility for redacting these personal identifiers rests solely with counsel and
the parties. The Clerk will not review pleadings for compliance with this procedure.
Attorneys and pro se parties are also advised to exercise caution when filing documents
that contain the following:
1) personal identifying number, such as driver’s license number;
2) medical records, treatment and diagnosis;
3) employment history;
4) individual financial information; and,
5) proprietary or trade secret information.
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Attorneys are strongly urged to share this notice with all clients so that an informed
decision may be made about the inclusion of certain materials in court documents.
Counsel and the parties are cautioned that failure to redact personal identifiers and/or the
inclusion of irrelevant personal information in a pleading or exhibit filed electronically
with the court may subject counsel to the disciplinary and remedial powers of the court,
including sanctions pursuant to FED.R.CIV.P. 11(c).
SOCIAL SECURITY CASES
In accordance with the recommendations of the Judicial Conference Committee on Court
Administration and Case Management on Privacy and Public Access to Electronic Case
Files, absent a showing of good cause, all documents, notices and orders in Social
Security cases filed in the district court after the implementation of ECF will be filed and
noticed electronically. The Internet access to Social Security cases will be limited to
attorneys of record. The following procedures apply in Social Security reviews:
Transcripts:
The Administrative Record will be electronically filed, and a copy made available to
chambers upon request.
Restricted Access:
Internet access to the individual documents in a Social Security review will be on a
“restricted access” basis, i.e., limited to counsel of record in the case and court staff.
Docket sheets will be available through PACER to non-parties, who will also have direct
access at the Office of the Clerk’s public terminal to the documents on file in the case.
Pursuant to FED.R.CIV.P. 5.2(c)(2) any person may have electronic access to an opinion,
order, judgment, or other disposition of the court, but not any other part of the case file or
the administrative record.
Social Security Number:
It is the responsibility of counsel for plaintiff to provide the office of the U.S. Attorney
the entire social security number of the plaintiff upon the filing of a new social security
case.
TRANSCRIPTS
Transcripts of proceedings will be electronically filed and remotely available to the
public through PACER. Attorneys are urged to develop the trial record by excluding in
testimony and documentary evidence the personal identifiers set forth in the E-
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Government Act of 2002 and in these procedures. Additional information regarding this
policy is available on the court’s website, www.msnd.uscourts.gov under Transcript
Redaction Policy.
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APPENDIX A – Case Opening Electronic Filing Procedures
Case opening documents should be submitted electronically on the CM/ECF system in
PDF format. Payment of the appropriate filing fees must be submitted through the U.S.
Treasury’s Pay.gov within the court’s CM/ECF system. The proper filing fee or “Motion to
Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees and Affidavit” must accompany case opening documents.
Only attorneys admitted in the Northern District are allowed to file new cases
electronically. Electronic filing is strongly encouraged, however the Clerk’s Office will continue
to accept new cases filed conventionally either in person or by mail.
Only case opening documents may be submitted when opening a new case. If an attorney
submits other pleadings, the attorney will be contacted by the Clerk’s Office, and instructed to
electronically file the pleading to the correct case number.
New cases are generally deemed filed the day the Clerk’s Office receives the initiating
document and the required filing fee. Upon verification that the proper fee has been paid, or
when a “Motion to Proceed without Prepayment of Fees and Affidavit” has been filed, the
Clerk’s Office will draw a Judge, assign a case number, and enter the opening documents in the
case. The submitting party will then receive a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) confirming the
case number and judge assignment.
Service of summons and complaint must comply with Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure. The summons will be issued by the clerk’s office and filed on CM/ECF. The
attorney should print the summons from the NEF for service.
Attorney Case Filing Procedures3
• Attorney must log into CM/ECF > Click Civil on the blue menu bar > Click on the link: File a
New Civil Case or a Notice of Removal > Highlight Civil Case Request by Attorney
• Follow all prompts - The proper filing fee or “Motion to Proceed IFP” must be filed
• Attach the initiating document (Complaint or Notice of Removal) as the main document
• Attach all exhibits, supporting documents, proposed summons and the civil cover sheet as
separate documents. In a removal case, the state court complaint is required and must be attached
as a separate document.
• The attorney will be prompted to pay the filing fee through pay.gov
• Upon completion of the filing transaction, the clerk’s office will open the case and the filing
attorney will receive a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) confirming the case number and judge
assignment.
3
For assistance, contact the Clerk’s Office by email at
[email protected] or by phone in Oxford
at 662-234-1971 or Aberdeen at 662-369-4952.
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Certificate of Service
SAMPLEFORMAT
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that on (Date)__________ I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of
the Court using the ECF system which sent notification of such filing to the following:
______________________ and I hereby certify that I have mailed by United States Postal
Service the document to the following non-ECF participants: ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
/s/
15
Declaration of Technical Difficulties
SAMPLEFORMAT
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
_________________ DIVISION
______________________ PLAINTIFFS
V. CAUSE NO. #:##-CV[R]-##-XXX-XXX
______________________ DEFENDANTS
DECLARATION OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
Please take notice that ___________________ was unable to file ______________ in a timely
manner due to technical difficulties. The deadline for filing the ________________ was
_____________. The reason(s) that I was unable to file the _______________ in a timely
manner and the good faith efforts I made prior to the filing deadline to both file in a timely
manner and to inform the court and the other parties that I could not do so are set forth below.
[Statement of reasons and good faith efforts to file and to inform] I declare under penalty of
perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ [Name of Password Registrant]
Name of Password Registrant Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
E-mail:
[email protected]
16
Pro Se Consent and Registration to Receive Documents Electronically
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
Pro Se (Non-Prisoner)
Consent & Registration Form to Receive Documents Electronically
Pursuant to FED.R.CIV.P. 5(b), and FED.R.CIV.P. 77(d), L.U.CIV.R. 5(c) and the Court's
Administrative Procedures for Electronic Case Filing, documents may be served through the
court's transmission facilities by electronic means. Documents that are not permitted to be served
electronically are pleadings that are to be served with process under FED.R.CIV. P. 4.
I _________________________ hereby consent to receive service of documents and notice of
electronic filings via the Court's electronic filing system to the extent and in the manner
authorized by the above rules and waiving the right to receive notice by first class mail pursuant
to FED.R.CIV.P. 5(b)(2)(D) and FED.R.CIV.P. 77(d).
I will promptly notify the Court if there is a change in my personal data, such as name, address,
and/or e-mail address. I will promptly notify the Court to request cancellation of electronic
service.
Litigants who have consented to receive documents electronically will be sent a Notice of
Electronic Filing (NEF) via e-mail. Upon receipt of the notice, they are permitted one "free look"
at the document by clicking on the hyperlinked documents. The one 'free look" will expire 15
days from the date the notice was sent. After the "free look" is used or expires, the document can
only be accessed through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records.) It is
recommended that litigants establish a PACER account. This can be accomplished by visiting the
PACER website at www.pacer.gov. PACER is an automated system that allows an individual to
view, print, and download documents for a fee.
My e-mail address is: _____________________________
My case number is: _______________________________
________________________________
Signature of Litigant
________________________________
Date
________________________________
Mailing Address
________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
17
