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NextGen CM/ECF Instructions

What’s New for ECF Users in NextGen

On April 23, 2018 the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa will upgrade the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing System (CM/ECF) to the Next Generation of CM/ECF (NextGen). This new functionality will allow you to maintain a single login and password for e-filing and PACER access in all federal courts (bankruptcy, district, and appellate), and the ability to sign in one time to access all courts in which you have permission to file.

What You Need to Do Now

Do you have your own PACER account?

You must have your own individual PACER account that will be linked to your CM/ECF filing account once the Court has implemented NextGen.  Shared PACER accounts cannot be used by CM/ECF users once the Court has upgraded.

o   Instructions for Registering for a PACER account.

o   Register for a PACER account.

o   Questions regarding PACER accounts should be directed to the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or (800) 676-6856.

o   Questions for the court should be directed to (515) 284-6230.

Have you upgraded your PACER account?

If you already have an individual PACER account, but it was created prior to August 11, 2014, you must upgrade it.

o   Instructions for Upgrading your PACER account.

o   Upgrade your PACER account.

Link an Upgraded PACER Account to a NextGen CM/ECF Account

You must do this in order to E-file after the court has implemented NextGen.

Instructions for linking an upgraded PACER account to CM/ECF account.


Click here to watch a TUTORIAL that explains how to upgrade an existing PACER account, link your PACER account to CM/ECF and request to efile (if needed) once the court is live on NextGen.


Does your firm need a PACER Administrative Account?

Firms can set up a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage all their user accounts and have central billing for PACER access fees.

o   Information regarding PACER Administrative Accounts.

o   Register for a PAA Account https://www.pacer.gov/reg_firm.html.

Saving Payment Information for PACER and E-Filing

Instructions for Saving Payment Information for PACER and E-Filing.

Registering to E-file through PACER

o   Instructions for Attorneys Registering to E-file.

o   Instructions for Non Attorney Limited Filers Registering to E-file.

Do You Know your Current CM/ECF Login and Password?

This is the login and password you currently use for filing documents.  If it is saved as a default in your browser, it will be lost and not recoverable except by contacting the court during regular business hours at (515) 284-6230.

Click here for NextGen Frequently Asked Questions