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Electronic Filing for Attorneys

Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Features

  • Enables authorized users to electronically file bankruptcy petitions and other documents (motions, objections, etc.) using a standard web browser. 
  • Provides immediate confirmation to the filer, and notice to other parties in a case, that a document was filed.
  • Per Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-4, electronic filing is mandatory for attorneys, trustees, and any creditor who has filed more than 10 documents with the court in any calendar year.
  • Most documents must be in text-based .PDF format, requiring the user to have software to convert documents from a word processor format to portable document format (PDF).  Scanned PDFs are allowed for documents that were not created by the filer, for example trust deeds.
  • There are no additional fees to use ECF, but existing filing fees apply and must be paid electronically via credit card or ACH.  Failure to timely pay fees will result in being locked out of electronic filing.  You can bring up the payment screen at any time by clicking on Utilities - Internet Payments Due.  Credit card or ACH information may be stored in your PACER account and accessed to pay filing fees.
  • If you make an error or are unsure how to proceed, please contact the court.  Proceeding on your own may put you at cross-purposes with the clerk's office or cause you to incur an additional filing fee.

Use ECF

Click here to use ECF (you must be a registered user).

Registration

You must have a full version of Adobe Acrobat (not just the free "Reader") to use the court's local bankruptcy forms (LBF's) and comply with the court's requirement to file any documents you create in a text-based PDF format.

Per LBR 9010-1, you must:

(1) be admitted to practice before, and be a member in good standing in, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon; or
(2) Only file or lodge documents in cases in which you were admitted pro hac vice, other than the application for admission pro hac vice, which must be submitted on LBF 120; or
(3) Qualify for special admission as a government attorney per LR 83-4 of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.

For information on attorney admissions, visit www.ord.uscourts.gov.

To register for ECF:

  • If you do not have a PACER account, you must first apply for one.  Go to www.pacer.gov, click on Register, and then click on PACER.  After obtaining your PACER account, click on Manage My Account, go to the Maintenance tab, and click on Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration.
  • If you have a PACER account, go to www.pacer.gov, click on Manage My Account, go to the Maintenance tab, and click on Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration.

Training

Please visit the ECF Online Training page to access video demonstrations about how to use ECF.

Procedures

Per LBR 9011-4(b), you must possess a counterpart bearing an original signature for each signer of any document described in FRBP 1008 prior to filing it electronically.  The counterpart must contain the same substantive information, including dates, as the document to be filed electronically, except that the document to be filed electronically will show "/s/ Name of Signer" rather than original signatures.  In addition, you or the firm representing the party on whose behalf a document is filed must maintain the originals or LBF #5005 and a scanned electronic replica of all electronically filed documents described in FRBP 1008 for the period set forth in LBR 5005-4(e).

Per LBR 9021-1, you must submit e-filed orders with 4" blank space at the top of the first page.  If possible, start any pleading paper format 4" from the top; if not possible, make sure the numbers and any vertical line are within 3/4" of the left edge of the page.  Please ensure you comply with the local rules regarding circulation of proposed orders.

Administrative Procedures for Electronically Filing Case Documents

Click here to view step-by-step written procedures for filing a variety of documents.

If you are still uncertain how to proceed, contact the case administrator at the phone number shown in the Portland office listing or Eugene office listing.

Refresher Training

Haven't filed an adversary proceeding lately?  Having trouble with a Relief from Stay motion?  Click here to access online training.

You can also practice in the ECF Training Database.  Please contact the court at 503-326-1500 or 541-431-4000 or contact us via email for a username and password.

Tips and Tricks

Click here to view common problem areas and receive advice about solutions.