IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
IN THE MATTER OF: )
)
STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT OF ) AMENDED STANDING ORDER
SEALED DOCUMENTS )
Whereas a recent escalation in cyberattacks on the CM/ECF systems of federal courts requires
new procedures for the storage and management of sealed documents; It is hereby ordered that,
effective as of the date of this Order,
1. Filing Sealed Documents.
Sealed documents will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under existing procedures
but will not be accessible or viewable to the parties by electronic means.
2. Electronic Access to Sealed Documents.
Sealed documents will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under existing procedures,
but they will not be accessible or viewable to the parties by electronic means.
Although parties will receive Notices of Electronic Filing when such documents
are filed in their cases, the documents themselves will not be accessible or viewable
electronically. Note: CM/ECF automatically restricts certain documents in Social
Security and civil immigration cases. These documents will remain accessible and
viewable to the parties by electronic means.
3. Service of Sealed Documents Filed in CM/ECF.
a. Because sealed documents filed in CM/ECF are no longer accessible or viewable
electronically, service of those documents cannot be accomplished through
CM/ECF. Therefore, parties must serve all sealed documents by other appropriate
means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure.
b. Except for certain documents served on North Dakota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office and
Federal Public Defender’s Office, the Clerk’s Office will serve sealed court-issued
documents in paper by mail.
4. Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs). Sealed documents that are defined as HSDs will
continue to be subject to the court’s HSD procedures set forth in the Local Rules.
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5. Questions about Sealed Document Procedures. Any questions about the filing of and
access to sealed documents should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at
[email protected].
This Order supersedes any inconsistent prior court orders, local rules, and the Administrative Policy
Governing Electronic Filing and Service.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 24th day of September, 2025.
/s/ Peter D. Welte
Peter D. Welte, Chief Judge
United States District Court
Standing Order Amended on April 24, 2026
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