Electronic Filing

Learn how to file case documents online.

As of October 1, 2023, all new cases opened in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will be opened through the court’s new Appellate Case Management System (ACMS). Learn more about ACMS.

Get Started with E-filing

Before you can e-file using ACMS, you'll need to set up an account in PACER. Set up your account as soon as possible to avoid delays in filing.  A PACER account lets you:

1. E-file with ACMS

2. Electronically view documents in a case

Set up an account in PACER:

• Keep in mind

  • Don’t share your PACER account log-in ID or password with anyone.

    You are responsible for making sure that you don’t incorrectly share sealed documents that you have access to. For instance, if you share your PACER log-in information with a third-party service provider, you’ve given them access to sealed case documents. That violates the rules, statutes, and/or orders of this Court.

    If you are a fee-exempt user of PACER, you can’t share the documents you get from ACMS. If you want to share them, you have to ask the court for permission.

  • Keep your account information up-to-date.

If you’re representing yourself

You are not required to file documents electronically, however, if you are not currently incarcerated, you may register after you have an open case (assigned a case number) in our Court. Once you are registered for e-filing, you will be able to file all your documents and receive all notices and service electronically.

You can also submit case documents through the Court’s Electronic Document Submission System. Submitting documents through EDSS means you are not registered for electronic filing and want to continue to receive documents, notices and orders from the court and other parties via U.S. Mail.

If You're an attorney

You can register for PACER before you apply for the bar of this court. But, any attorney who files an appeal or enters an appearance in this Court (including counsel for amicus parties) should apply for admission to the bar at the same time.

Already have an account?

• CM/ECF and ACMS Case Numbers
  CM/ECF case numbers start with the year, followed by a hyphen, and a 5-digit number. ACMS case numbers for all cases opened in that system since May 1, 2021, start with the year, followed by a hyphen, and a number less than 5 digits.
  For example, 21-70002 is a CM/ECF case number; 21-20 is an ACMS case number.

E-filing in Legacy System

Cases opened in CM/ECF will continue to be processed via CM/ECF unless the Court directs otherwise.

Relevant Rules and Orders

• Circuit Rule 25-5 explains the general rules for electronic filing.

• The Administrative Order Regarding Appellate Case Management System (ACMS) (PDF) gives more information about ACMS.

Help with E-filing

• See PACER’s Frequently Asked Questions

• Contact PACER

• If you have a question about ACMS and you can't find the answer here or on PACER's websites, submit your question here.

• We will respond during court business hours:
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.