FILED
October 1, 2021
At: 8:30 a.m.
William T. Walsh
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Clerk
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
IN RE: ELECTRONIC SERVICE IN CASES :
SEEKING SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW : STANDING ORDER 2021-09
WHEREAS, to facilitate timely and efficient service of process in civil actions filed
against the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“Commissioner”) pursuant to
§ 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), an agreement has been reached among
the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (“Court”), the Commissioner, and
the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey (“United States”), pursuant to which
the Commissioner and the United States agree, on a pilot basis for one year, that acceptance of
the summons and complaint by electronic means via the Court’s Case Management/Electronic
Case Files System (“CM/ECF System”) shall constitute service satisfying Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 4(i);
THEREFORE, to effectuate the afore-mentioned agreement, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED, effective immediately:
1. In cases where the filing fee has been paid, and in cases where Plaintiff is proceeding
in forma pauperis, upon the filing of the complaint by Plaintiff, the Clerk of Court shall
issue the summonses, in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i), by
electronic means via the Court’s CM/ECF System, upon the Commissioner and the
United States. Service is not considered effectuated until the date of the CM/ECF filing
of the complaint and issuance of the summonses, whichever is later (“Date of Service”).
Other filings and/or CM/ECF actions related to the filing of a complaint and/or summons,
including but not limited to an application for in forma pauperis, do not constitute
service.
2. The Clerk’s Office will ensure that CM/ECF notifications, indicating that the
complaint has been filed and summonses have been issued, are sent to the email
addresses provided by the Commissioner and the United States.
3. Within 60 days of the Date of Service, unless an extension is obtained, the
Commissioner shall file and serve either a dispositive motion or the Certified
Administrative Record, which shall constitute the answer to Plaintiff’s complaint,
pursuant to Local Civil Rule 9.1(c).
4. This Standing Order will expire no later than October 1, 2022, unless extended
by further Court order or amendment to Local Civil Rule 9.1.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 1st day of October 2021.
____________________
Hon. Freda L. Wolfson
U.S. Chief District Judge
District of New Jersey
