U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Clerk’s Office

April 2023

Version 3.2.2

CM/ECF User’s Guide

For Use with NextGen CM/ECF 1.7.2
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page i

Table of Contents

I. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4

II. Use of the Electronic Filing System.............................................................................. 4

A. Authority ............................................................................................................ 4

B. General Requirements..................................................................................... 4

1. Special Procedures for Unrepresented Parties......................................... 5

2. Viewing of Case Filings in PACER............................................................... 5

C. Account Security .............................................................................................. 6

D. Suspension of Privileges.................................................................................... 6

E. Create a PACER Account ............................................................................... 7

F. Attorney Electronic Filing Registration............................................................. 8

G. Non-Attorney Electronic Filing Registration ...................................................16

H. Public Interested Person Registration.............................................................22

I. Check the Status of Your Request/Application ............................................24

J. Receiving Notifications for Cases of Interest.................................................25

K. Account Maintenance ...................................................................................27

1. Updating Contact Information................................................................ 27

2. Manage My Account............................................................................... 27

L. Legacy CM/ECF Accounts.............................................................................29

III. Navigating CM/ECF....................................................................................................30

A. Logging In.........................................................................................................30

B. Paying Fees......................................................................................................31

1. General Procedure................................................................................... 31

2. Using Pay.gov............................................................................................ 32

3. Payment Error and Refunds ..................................................................... 32

IV. Filing..............................................................................................................................33

A. General Procedures........................................................................................33

1. Account Information ................................................................................ 33

2. Appendix Formatting................................................................................ 34

3. Browser Compatibility............................................................................... 38
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

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4. Case Record ............................................................................................. 38

5. Confidential or Sealed Documents......................................................... 38

6. Documents Exempt from Electronic Filing .............................................. 39

7. File Size Limitation...................................................................................... 40

8. Filing on Non-Business Days...................................................................... 41

9. Non-Compliant Filings............................................................................... 41

10. Paper Copies ............................................................................................ 41

11. Portable Document Format (PDF)........................................................... 41

12. Redaction.................................................................................................. 44

13. Retention of Original Documents............................................................ 45

14. Service of Documents.............................................................................. 45

15. Signature Format....................................................................................... 47

16. Timeliness and Deadlines ......................................................................... 47

17. “Leave to File” Document Requirements............................................... 48

18. Corrected Filings....................................................................................... 48

B. Standard Filing Procedure ..............................................................................50

C. Filing a New Petition or Appeal ......................................................................54

1. Filing Fee.................................................................................................... 54

2. Case Initiation ........................................................................................... 55

D. Emergency Filings............................................................................................56

1. Emergency Petition for Writ of Mandamus or Other Writ ...................... 56

2. Emergency Motion in Existing Case ........................................................ 56

3. Emergency Motion in New Cases ........................................................... 57

E. Briefs, Appendices, and Notices of Joinder ..................................................57

F. Motions.............................................................................................................60

1. Motion for Highly Sensitive Document Protection.................................. 62

2. Motion for Removing a Confidential Document from CM/ECF............ 63

G. Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling Conflicts ................................64

H. Response to Notice of Oral Argument ..........................................................66

I. Petition for Rehearing or Hearing/Rehearing En Banc.................................67

J. Confidential and Sealed Documents............................................................68

K. Other Document Types...................................................................................69
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

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L. Non-Compliance Procedure..........................................................................69

V. Reports.........................................................................................................................70

A. Payment History Report...................................................................................70

B. PACER Report ..................................................................................................70

1. Case Search.............................................................................................. 70

2. Calendar ................................................................................................... 71

3. Opinions..................................................................................................... 71

4. Orders/Judgments.................................................................................... 72

5. Briefs........................................................................................................... 72

C. Service List........................................................................................................72

VI. Utilities...........................................................................................................................73

A. Bar History Report.............................................................................................73

B. Check PDF Document ....................................................................................73

C. Notice for Cases of Interest.............................................................................73

D. Submit New Case with Fee Payment.............................................................73

E. Submit New Case without Fee Payment.......................................................73

F. Pay Miscellaneous Fees ..................................................................................74

1. General...................................................................................................... 74

2. Copy Fees ................................................................................................. 74

G. Update My Account .......................................................................................75

VII. Additional Resources..................................................................................................76

A. Online Resources.............................................................................................76

1. Filing Resources......................................................................................... 76

2. Tutorials...................................................................................................... 76

3. General Information ................................................................................. 76

B. User Support.....................................................................................................77

VIII. Motion Reliefs ..............................................................................................................78

IX. Document Types.........................................................................................................85

X. Revision Control...........................................................................................................90

XI. Index.............................................................................................................................93
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 4 

I. Introduction

The Electronic Filing Procedures are issued by the clerk of court pursuant to Fed. 

Cir. R. 25(a)(4), and they apply to all electronic filings in the U.S. Court of Appeals 

for the Federal Circuit. Nothing in these procedures modifies any requirements 

under the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure or the Federal Circuit Rules; 

when these procedures conflict with a rule of this court, the rule governs.

For questions about these procedures, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 202-

275-8000 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern), Monday through Friday. 

Additional resources are available on our website at 

http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/. 

II. Use of the Electronic Filing System

A. Authority

Electronic filing is authorized in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal 

Circuit by Fed. R. App. P. 25(a)(2)(D) and governed locally by the 

requirements of Fed. Cir. R. 25. Effective May 17, 2012, electronic filing is 

mandatory for attorneys filing in the Federal Circuit, unless they are 

granted a specific exemption or are unrepresented (pro se) parties. 

Effective October 1, 2020, unrepresented parties will be permitted to 

register for electronic filing in the Federal Circuit on filing a completed 

Notice of Unrepresented Person Appearance. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(a)(1)(B). 

Once registered, unrepresented parties will be able to file documents in 

their cases, but new notices of appeal or petitions for review must be filed 

in paper or by email. Electronic filing is permitted though the Case 

Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system operated by the 

federal judiciary at http://ecf.cafc.uscourts.gov. Public access to 

electronic court documents is available through the Public Access to 

Court Electronic Records (PACER) service at http://www.pacer.gov. 

B. General Requirements

There is no charge for registering to use the electronic filing system, and all 

attorneys who appear before this court must register for electronic filing. 

Fed. Cir. R. 25(a)(2). Additionally, all fees paid by counsel must be made 

through the electronic filing system. See Fed. Cir. R. 52(e). Electronic filing 

is limited to members in good standing with the court’s bar, government 

counsel appearing in an official capacity, and unrepresented parties who 

have elected to file electronically in their active cases. 
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1. Special Procedures for Unrepresented Parties

Regardless of electronic filer status, unrepresented parties must 

continue to file notices of appeal or petitions for review in paper, 

though the court will also accept such filings transmitted via email. 

Note: Unrepresented parties may file a notice of appeal, petition 

for review, or other case-initiating filing to the Clerk’s Office at

intake@cafc.uscourts.gov. The filing must be in the form of a PDF 

attached to the email. Only case-initiating documents will be 

accepted at this address; all other documents or messages will not 

be accepted or processed. See Fed. R. Cir. 25(a)(1). 

Unrepresented parties registered for electronic filing may pay 

miscellaneous fees through the court’s electronic filing system while 

they have an active case in the court. All other unrepresented 

parties must continue to pay miscellaneous fees outside of the 

court’s electronic filing system.

Unrepresented parties registered for electronic filing will be required 

to pay outstanding docketing fees electronically if they did not pay 

their filing fee at the time of submitting their new case. 

2. Viewing of Case Filings in PACER

All electronic filers receive one free copy of documents that are 

electronically filed in their cases, which they can save or print. 

Additional copies are available through PACER, which charges a 

fee per page for accessing any documents. 

Waiting over 15 days after generation of the Notice of Docket 

Activity to access a document for the first time or repeated 

attempts to access the same document will also subject a filer to 

PACER fees. 

Please refer to the Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule for 

electronic access fee rates. Copies of court opinions are available 

at no charge via PACER or the court’s website at

http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov. Billing issues related to access to 

electronic records must be directed to the PACER Service Center.
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C. Account Security 

In registering for electronic filing, users agree (1) to protect the security of 

their account information (including account password) and (2) to notify 

the PACER Service Center (800-676-6856) and the Clerk’s Office 

(accountservices@cafc.uscourts.gov) if account information has been 

compromised.

Accordingly, no electronic filer may knowingly permit or cause to permit a 

filer’s log-in and password to be used by anyone other than an authorized 

agent of the electronic filer.

D. Suspension of Privileges

Pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 25(a)(3), following notice and an opportunity to 

respond, the clerk of court may restrict or revoke electronic filing privileges 

for users who have either (A) repeatedly failed to comply with these 

procedures and requirements, or (B) failed to maintain appropriate 

security of account credentials. Suspension of electronic filing privileges 

may result in mandatory paper filing.
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E. Create a PACER Account

This procedure is for members of the public who do not already have a 

PACER account and are interested in viewing Federal Circuit court 

records. 

Attorneys interested in electronic filing or admission to the bar should refer 

to Attorney Electronic Filing Registration. Unrepresented parties interested 

in electronic filing should refer to Non-Attorney Electronic Filing

Registration. 

Members of the public, including unrepresented parties not wishing to 

register to file electronically and members of the media, interested in 

receiving case-specific notices should refer to Public Interested Person

Registration. 

1. Go to http://www.pacer.gov

2. Select Register for an Account from the main screen.

3. Select Registration Wizard. 

4. Click View as the registration type.

5. Complete the personal information and account information pages.

For account creation assistance please contact the PACER Service 

Center at 800-676-6856. 
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F. Attorney Electronic Filing Registration

Attorneys seeking to file electronically must (1) register for electronic filing

and (2) be admitted to the bar (except for government counsel 

appearing in an official capacity). Both requirements can be completed 

through PACER. 

1. E-File Registration Only

This procedure is for members of the Federal Circuit bar who have 

never registered for electronic filing at the Federal Circuit and for 

government counsel. 

a. Go to http://www.pacer.gov. 

b. Select Register for an Account from the main screen.

c. Select Registration Wizard. 

d. Select E-File and/or Attorney Admissions. 

e. Select U.S. Appellate Courts as the Court Type and U.S. Court of 

Appeals, Federal Circuit as the Court, then Next. 
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f. Select one of the options based on your type of PACER 

account, including creating a PACER account if you do not 

already have one. Select one of the options based on your 

electronic filing history in the Federal Circuit. If you have never 

filed electronically with the Federal Circuit, you will eventually 

reach the following screen:

g. Select Attorney. (Users may have an additional screen to click 

through to continue.)

h. On the In Which Court Do You Want to Practice screen, select 

U.S. Appellate Courts as the Court Type and U.S. Court of 

Appeals, Federal Circuit as the Court, then Next.
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i. Select E-File Registration Only.
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Note: Federal, state, and local government counsel appearing 

on behalf of a government party should select Federal 

Attorney. See Fed. Cir. R. 46(d).

j. Complete the fields on the E-File Registration Page.

Additional Information

• Add information about your admission at other courts. 

(While optional, this information helps with matching your 

existing bar record.)

Delivery Method and Formatting

• Select how frequently and in what format you wish to

receive email notifications. You can also add additional 

emails to receive notice in Additional Email Addresses.

k. On the next screen, select your payment options for PACER and 

other fees, then click Next.

l. Review the E-Filing Terms of Use and click the two 

acknowledgements.

m. Click Submit. You will receive electronic notification once your 

request has been processed.
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Note: Please allow one to two business days for processing by 

the Clerk’s Office.

2. Attorney Admissions and E-File

This procedure is for registering for electronic filing and for applying 

to the bar at the same time. Please review Fed. Cir. R. 46. 

a. Go to http://www.pacer.gov. 

b. Select Register for an Account from the main screen.

c. Select Registration Wizard. 

d. Select E-File and/or Attorney Admissions. 

e. Select U.S. Appellate Courts as the Court Type and U.S. Court of 

Appeals, Federal Circuit as the Court, then Next. 

f. Select one of the options based on your type of PACER 

account, including creating a PACER account if you do not 

already have one. Select one of the options based on your 

electronic filing history in the Federal Circuit. If you have never 

filed electronically with the Federal Circuit, you will eventually 

reach the following screen:
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g. Select Attorney. (You may have an additional screen to click 

through to continue.)

h. On the In Which Court Do You Want to Practice screen, select 

U.S. Appellate Courts as the Court Type and U.S. Court of 

Appeals, Federal Circuit as the Court, then Next. 

i. Click Before continuing, view the local Policies and Procedures 

for Attorney Admission for the selected court and complete the 

Federal Circuit’s Application for Admission to the Bar (Form 21). 

Select Attorney Admissions and E-File. 
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Note: Federal, state, and local government attorneys 

appearing on behalf of a government party should select 

Federal Attorney to be admitted for the limited purposes of 

representing the United States or another government entity. 

This status does not confer admission to the Federal Circuit bar. 

See Fed. Cir. R. 46(d).

j. Complete the following Attorney Admissions page, including 

providing information about your bar sponsor, if applicable, and 

click Next. 

Note: Upload the completed Federal Circuit’s Application for 

Admission to the Bar (Form 21) under Document Upload. You 

must first flatten the form before uploading it. See Portable 

Document Format – Flattening a PDF. 

If you are seeking admission without a sponsor, you will also 

need to submit a certificate of good standing. You can either 

(1) attach this certificate to the single PDF document including 

your application or (2) upload the certificate at the time of 

paying the admission fee. The second option may delay the 

processing of your admission application.
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k. Complete the fields on the E-File Registration Page and click 

Next. 

Additional Information

• Skip this section.

Delivery Method and Formatting

• Select how frequently and in what format you wish to 

receive email notifications. You can also add additional 

emails to receive notice in Additional Email Addresses.

l. On the next screen, select your payment options for PACER and 

other fees, then click Next. 

m. Review the Policies and Procedures for Attorney Admission, EFiling Terms of Use, and Policies and Procedures for Electronic 

Filing. Click the acknowledgements.

n. Click Submit. 

You will receive electronic notification to submit payment of the 

admission fee to allow for the completion of the admission 

process. Note: Please allow one to two business days for 

processing by the Clerk’s Office.
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G. Non-Attorney Electronic Filing Registration

Unrepresented parties seeking to file electronically must (1) register for a 

PACER account, (2) register for a Non-Attorney Filer account with the 

Federal Circuit and (3) file a completed and compliant Notice of 

Unrepresented Person Appearance (Form 8B) in each case in which they 

intend to file electronically.

Note: The below instructions are for an individual who has not yet 

registered for a PACER account. If you already have a PACER account or 

a filer account with another court, proceed to the Manage My Account

section, click on the Maintenance tab, select Non-Attorney E-File 

Registration, and continue these instructions from step 11.

1. Go to http://www.pacer.gov. 

2. Hover your cursor over Manage Your Account. 

3. Select Register for an Account. 
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4. Select Non-attorney Filers.

5. Select Register for a PACER account

6. Enter the required contact information and select Next.
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7. Enter the required user account information and select Next.

8. Enter credit card information and select Next.

Note: Entering a credit card is optional, but not doing so may delay 

the activation of your account.

9. Complete the Acknowledgement of Policies and Procedures and 

select Submit.
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10. To register to e-file, select Continue.

11. In the dropdown menu next to “Court Type,” select U.S. Appellate 

Courts.

12. In the dropdown menu next to “Court,” select U.S. Court of Appeals, 

Federal Circuit.

13. In the dropdown menu next to “Role in Court,” select Party.
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14. Verify your address and email preferences, then select Next.

15. Verify your payment method, then select Next.
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Note: This section is optional and dependent on whether you entered 

payment information above.

16. Read and verify agreement with the terms and conditions, then select 

Submit.

17. Wait for your registration to be processed. You will receive an email 

when this is complete.

Note: The court will process your registration once received. A 

compliant Notice of Unrepresented Person Appearance indicating an 

intent to file electronically must be received and processed in order for 

you to electronically file documents in your case.
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H. Public Interested Person Registration

Although electronic filing is available only to attorneys and unrepresented 

parties, other public users such as unrepresented parties opting not to file 

electronically and members of the media, can register for limited access 

to CM/ECF, which will allow for registering for electronic notification of 

docket activity in individual cases. See Receiving Notifications for Cases 

of Interest. 

1. Go to http://www.pacer.gov. 

2. Select Register for an Account from the main screen.

3. Select Registration Wizard. 

4. Select E-File and/or Attorney Admissions. 

5. Select U.S. Appellate Courts as the Court Type and U.S. Court of 

Appeals, Federal Circuit as the Court, then Next. 

6. Select one of the options based on the type of PACER account you 

have and your electronic filing history. If you have never filed 

electronically with the Federal Circuit, you will eventually reach the 

following screen:

7. Select Non-Attorney. 

8. Complete the fields on the E-File Registration Page and click Next. 

Additional Information

• This section can be skipped.

Delivery Method and Formatting

• Select how frequently and in what format you wish to 

receive email notifications. You can also add additional 

emails to receive notice in Additional Email Addresses.
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April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 23 

9. On the next screen, select your payment options for PACER and other 

fees, then click Next. 

10. Review the E-Filing Terms of Use and click the acknowledgements.

11. Click Submit. You will receive electronic notification once your request 

has been processed.

Note: Please allow one to two business days for processing by the 

Clerk’s Office. 
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I. Check the Status of Your Request/Application

After submitting your request for e-filing access or for admission to the bar, 

you can check online for the status of your request.

1. Go to http://www.pacer.gov. 

2. Click Manage My Account at the top of the screen.

3. Log on using your PACER credentials.

4. Under the Maintenance tab, select Check E-File Status to review 

the status of your registration.
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J. Receiving Notifications for Cases of Interest

Once you have been approved for access, follow these steps to receive 

online notifications of docketing activity. While it is free to receive these 

email notifications, PACER will charge a fee per page for accessing any 

documents. Please refer to the Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule for 

electronic access fee rates.

1. Go to http://ecf.cafc.uscourts.gov, select CM/ECF Document Filing 

System. 

2. Log on using your PACER credentials. 
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3. Under Utilities, select Notice for Cases of Interest. 

4. Notifications for each case will go to your PACER email account, 

which is automatically filled in at the top of this page. 

5. Select your desired frequency of notification. Then type in the desired 

case number and click Add. There is no limit to the number of cases 

you may add. 

6. When you have finished adding cases click Save to finalize your 

choices. 

Note: While there is no limit to the number of cases for which you may 

receive notifications, accessing documents through PACER may accrue a 

fee. See Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule.

7. To stop receiving notifications in a case, click the red “X” next to a

case.
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K. Account Maintenance

1. Updating Contact Information

Electronic filers must maintain current name and contact 

information, which includes a mailing address, telephone number, 

and email address, with the Clerk’s Office at all times by ensuring 

the information associated with their filing accounts is accurate. 

Filers must also amend their appearance forms in all pending cases 

where any name or contact information changes. See Fed. Cir. R. 

25(a)(5). Note that “service of a filing to an invalid email address 

constitutes valid service if the individual has failed to timely provide 

a current email address.” Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(1). 

Note: Government counsel moving to private practice must 

separately contact the Clerk’s Office regarding formal bar 

admission to the court.

2. Manage My Account

The following options are available within PACER’s account 

maintenance menu. 

For assistance with PACER account maintenance, please contact 

the PACER Service Center at 800-676-6856. The Clerk’s Office does 

not have the ability to access or to update individual account 

information, including login credentials.

a. Settings Tab

• Change Username

• Change Password: Passwords must be at least 8 

characters, which can contain letters, numbers, and 

special characters such as underscores, periods, and 

exclamation points. Password changes are immediate. 

• Set Security Information: Setting up security questions 

allows you to reset your forgotten password. You will be 

prompted to answer the questions on file to reset your 

password.

• Update PACER Billing Email: Enter the email address 

where you want to receive billing notices.

• Set PACER Billing Preferences: Set account preferences 

for use in CM/ECF. This allows you to turn off viewing of 

transaction receipts and require the use of a client 

code. 
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b. Maintenance Tab 

• Update Personal Information: Name information. 

• Update Address Information: Mailing address, phone 

numbers.

• Update E-Filer Email Noticing and Frequency: Update 

the email address, delivery method, and formatting 

options at participating courts for which you are an 

accepted e-filer. 

• Display Registered Courts: See a list of courts in which 

you are an accepted e-filer. This option will only 

appear if you have submitted an e-file registration at a 

court. 

• Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration: Apply to e-file at 

a participating court. 

• Non-Attorney E-File Registration: Non-attorneys (i.e., pro 

se filers, interested parties, or filing agents) may register 

for e-file privileges at a participating court.

• Check E-File Status: Select a court and court type to 

check your e-file status in that court. This option will 

only appear if you have submitted an e-file registration 

at a court. 

• E-File Registration/Maintenance History: View a list of all 

your admissions and e-file registration and 

maintenance requests. This option will only appear if 

you have submitted an e-file registration at a court. 

c. Payments Tab 

• Make One-Time PACER Fee Payment: Pay PACER 

account balance or another amount. 

• Manage My Stored Payment Information: Store a credit 

card as a default payment method for filing and 

attorney admissions fees, or for automatic billing for 

PACER fees. 

d. Usage Tab 

• View Quarterly Invoice/Statement of Account

• View Detailed Transactions: View details about your 

searches and PACER fees.
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L. Legacy CM/ECF Accounts

Existing Federal Circuit CM/ECF users who did not link their existing CM/ECF 

account (legacy account) to their individual PACER accounts following 

the Federal Circuit’s installation of NextGen CM/ECF on March 19, 2018, 

will now need to register for a new electronic filing account with PACER. 

See Attorney Electronic Filer Registration. 
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III. Navigating CM/ECF

A. Logging In

1. Go to http://ecf.cafc.uscourts.gov and select CM/ECF Document 

Filing System. 

2. Enter your PACER Username and Password. Click Login. 

Note: An optional Client Code can be entered to assist with tracking 

case billing.

3. Review the Redaction Responsibility agreement. Click the “I 

understand . . . .” box and then Continue. See also Privacy 

Requirements. 

4. From the landing page, you can select the appropriate menu for your 

task.

Note: The Getting Started menu provides a brief overview of how to 

navigate CM/ECF. An online electronic learning module—Introduction 

to Appellate NextGen CM/ECF—provides an interactive tutorial on 

navigating and using CM/ECF.
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B. Paying Fees

All fees in counseled cases, including admission-related fees, must be 

paid electronically through Pay.gov. See Fed. Cir. R. 46, 52. Checks 

received from counsel will not be processed and will be returned to the 

sender or lead attorney on the appeal. 

Unrepresented parties registered for electronic filing may pay 

miscellaneous fees through the court’s electronic filing system while they 

have an active case in the court. All other unrepresented parties must 

continue to pay miscellaneous fees outside of the court’s electronic filing 

system by either mail or in person.

However, unrepresented parties registered to file electronically must 

submit outstanding docketing fees owed to this court through the court’s 

electronic filing system (this can be accomplished using the event Pay 

Docketing Fee in the particular case with the outstanding fee). The 

court’s current fee schedule is available online at 

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/case-information/fee-schedules/. 

Note: Docketing fees for unrepresented parties owed to other courts, such 

as a U.S. District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or 

the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, must be paid to those courts in 

accordance with the procedures of those courts.

1. General Procedure

e. Go to https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/case-information/feeschedules/ and select CM/ECF Document Filing System. 

b. Note: You must first register for electronic filing access (and bar 

admission if applicable) through PACER before you can access 

the payment menu.

f. Click the Utilities menu and then select one of the following

(select one of these options for more information): 

• Submit New Case with Fee Payment

Note: This option is only available for registered 

attorneys.

• Pay Miscellaneous Fees

g. Upload the required document and type a brief description of 

the document. Upload any supporting documents by clicking 

Add Another Document. 

h. Click Pay Now and Submit to go to the pay.gov website.
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2. Using Pay.gov

Whenever a fee is required, you will be prompted to enter your 

PACER account information and have the option of paying the fee 

with your PACER billing information already on file.

You may also select to submit payment with a different (1) credit or 

debit card or (2) bank account (ACH). 

3. Payment Error and Refunds

The Clerk’s Office does not refund fees absent an erroneous 

transaction (including duplicate payment) or technical 

malfunction.

If for any reason you are unable to complete filing the document 

once the Pay.gov transaction has been completed and must start 

the filing process over, you will be charged a second fee. To have 

the first fee removed from your credit card account or bank 

account, you must contact the Clerk’s Office at 202-275-8000 or 

email accountservices@cafc.uscourts.gov. You will need the 

Agency Tracking ID and Pay.gov Tracking ID from the confirmation 

email you receive as well as the date of the transaction and the 

name of the filer whose PACER login and password were used.
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IV. Filing 

A. General Procedures

1. Account Information

a) Account Maintenance

Electronic filers must maintain current name and contact 

information, which includes a mailing address, telephone 

number, and email address, with the Clerk’s Office at all 

times by ensuring the information associated with their filing 

accounts is accurate. Filers must also amend their 

appearance forms in all pending cases when any name or 

contact information changes. Fed. Cir. R. 25(a)(5). 

Electronic filers update their contact information and 

conduct all account maintenance, including updating 

billing, email notifications, and contact information, through 

the Manage My Account page at http://www.pacer.gov/ or 

by calling the PACER Service Center at 800-676-6856. 

b) Account Security

In registering as an electronic filer, you agree to protect the 

security of your password and to notify the PACER Service 

Center and the Clerk’s Office immediately if you learn that 

your password has been compromised. Additionally, no 

electronic filer or other person may knowingly permit or 

cause to permit a filer’s log-in and password to be used by 

anyone other than an authorized agent of the electronic 

filer. Electronic filers may be sanctioned for failure to comply

with this provision. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(a)(3). 

• Contact the PACER Service Center at 800-676-6856. 

• Contact the Clerk’s Office at 

accountservices@cafc.uscourts.gov or call 202-275-

8000. 

c) Filing Authorization

Electronic filers may only file documents on behalf of 

themselves or the party or parties they represent in a case. 

Electronically filed documents that require the signature of 

other individuals must meet the requirements of Fed. Cir. R. 

32(g)(3). 
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2. Appendix Formatting 

a) Appendix Page Numbers 

All appendix page numbers must be preceded by “Appx” 

(or “SAppx” for a supplemental appendix) and then the 

number, without any intervening non-numerical characters 

or spaces. Sub-organizational indicators (such as .1 or a) are 

also not permitted. See Fed. Cir. R. 30(b)(2)(C). See also

Bates Numbering. 

Note: Using leading zeroes or capitalizing “APPX” does not 

affect the court’s citation link program, and pagination and 

references that use leading zeroes or capitalization are 

acceptable.

Examples of acceptable format include the following:

• Appx123 or SAppx123, 

• Appx00123, and

• APPX123. 

Examples of improper format include the following:

• Appx.123 or Appx 123 (no spaces or characters in 

between “Appx” and the number), 

• Appx123.1 or Appx123a (no sub-organizational 

indicators), and

• JAppx123 (only “Appx” or “SAppx” permitted). 

b) Appendix Page References

References in briefs to the appendix must follow the same 

format as appendix pages. See Fed. Cir. R. 28(f). Page 

references should also omit individual section or line 

references; any additional identifiers must be separated 

from the appendix reference.

Note: Do not create hyperlinks from your brief citations to 

your appendices; the correct format for references from 

briefs to appendix pages (e.g., Appx) is all that is required.

Examples of acceptable reference format include the 

following:

• Appx123 or SAppx123, 

• Appx00123, 
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• APPX123,

• Appx123-132 (consecutive pagination)

• Appx123, Appx135 (non-consecutive pagination), 

and

• Appx123-Appx125 or Appx123-25.

Examples of improper format include the following:

• Appx.123 or Appx 123 (no spaces or characters 

between “Appx” and the number), 

• Appx123, 125 (improper non-consecutive 

pagination), 

• Appx123.1 or Appx123a (no sub-organizational 

indicators),

• Appx123:45-125:67 (no individual line references), and

• JAppx123 (only “Appx” or “SAppx” permitted).

A document that is included in both the addendum to a 

brief and the appendix must have the same page number. 

For example, if in the appendix a judgment in question is 

numbered Appx7-10, it must also be numbered Appx7-10 in 

the addendum.

Note: Fillers are encouraged to use hyphens as opposed to 

en and em dashes in their citations. 

Note: Parties authorized to file separate appendices 

pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 30(e) must ensure those appendices 

do not overlap in pagination (except that the same 

document appearing in multiple appendices may be 

paginated the same).

c) Bates Numbering

The Federal Circuit Rules require the use of Bates numbering 

in appendices. See Fed. Cir. R. 30(b)(2)(C), 30(c)(2), and 

30(e)(4). Bates numbering is a method of pagination that 

simplifies identification and retrieval of materials in 

appendices. Bates numbering must be visible, appropriately 

sized, and centered in the bottom margin of each appendix 

page with other surrounding text and numbering redacted 

to avoid illegibility or confusion. See Fed. Cir. R. 30(c)(2).
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Note: When applying Bates numbering, please be cognizant 

of how the pagination will appear on the printed paper 

copies. While the court will accept electronic appendix 

pages oriented in landscape to promote readability, the 

paper copies of the appendix may be found non-compliant 

if appendix page numbers appear anywhere other than 

centered in the bottom margin of the bound volume. See 

Fed. Cir. R. 30(c)(2). 

Bates numbering can be added to Portable Document 

Format (PDF) documents using an editor program. The 

following instructions are for adding Bates numbers in Adobe 

Acrobat. Users of other editor programs should consult their 

application user guide.

i. Open Adobe Acrobat and then select the Tools

pane. Select Pages.

ii. Under Edit Page Design, select Bates Numbering. 

Select Add Bates Numbering.

Note: To add the Bates Numbering option to your Quick 

Tools Toolbar, right-click Bates Number, then select Add to 

Quick Tools Toolbar.

iii. Select Add Files, then either Add Files, Add Folders, or 

Add Open Files (select based on how you have the 

documents saved to have Bates numbers inserted). 

Select the applicable joint or supplemental appendix 

file (or files if there are multiple volumes). Select OK.

Note: Be sure to arrange the appendix files in the order you 

want the Bates numbers to be assigned.

iv. The Add Header and Footer box will not populate. 

Select a Footer Text box of where you want to insert 

the numbering style of your choice. Select Insert 

Bates Number...

Note: Filers determine what justification (e.g., left, center, 

right) to use for the footer numbering. Fed. Cir. R. 30(c)(2) 

requires centering.

v. The Bates Numbering Options box will now populate. 

Select the Number of Digits for your document’s Bates 

number. Select Prefix and insert the document’s 
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Bates numbering prefix, being sure to adhere to the 

requirements under Appendix Page References. 

Note: The user can decide whether to include leading zeros. 

The prefix “Appx” is used for joint appendix documents. The 

prefix “SAppx” is used for supplemental appendix 

documents.

vi. Within the Bates Numbering Options box, select OK. 

Then within the Add Header and Footer box, select 

OK. 

Note: Page Orientation and Bates Numbering

Fed. Cir. R. 30(c)(2) requires that appendix page numbers 

be centered in the bottom margin of the page and that 

other marks be redacted to avoid confusion with the page 

numbers. The court applies these requirements to both 

appendices filed electronically and appendix paper copies. 

Filers preparing the electronic appendix should account for 

how appendix pages and their page numbers will appear in 

the paper copies.

The court is always accepting of electronic appendices with 

pages in portrait mode (i.e., 81⁄2 x 11 inches). Performing text 

recognition on the appendix may rotate some pages to 

landscape (i.e., 11 x 8 1⁄2 inches), and for general readability 

purposes, the court will likely accept such pages oriented in 

landscape in the electronic version. However, if the Bates 

number was applied to the bottom margin of the landscape 
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page, it may appear on the right margin of the bound 

printed copy. Paper copies with the Bates numbering on 

the right side as opposed to uniformly in the bottom margin 

may be found non-compliant.

d) Appendix Size

Pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 30(a)(4), no individual volume may 

exceed 400 printed sheets of paper. If the appendix is 

printed double-sided, this authorizes an electronic appendix 

of up to 800 pages. Appendix paper copies received in a 

different number of bound volumes from the electronic 

version will be non-compliant. See also Practice Note to 

Rule 30 (Appendix Volumes).

3. Browser Compatibility

Electronic filing is compatible with most popular web browsers, 

such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, 

and Microsoft Edge; however, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox 

are the only officially supported browsers at this time.

Users should disable pop-up blockers for the domain uscourts.gov. 

Leaving on pop-up blockers while filing electronically may limit 

some functionality.

4. Case Record

The electronic version of filed documents, whether filed 

electronically in the first instance or received by the Clerk’s Office 

in paper format and subsequently scanned into electronic format, 

constitutes the official record in the case under Fed. R. App. P. 45.

Later modification of a filed document or docket entry by a party is 

not permitted except as authorized by Fed. Cir. R. 25(i).

5. Confidential or Sealed Documents

a) General

When filing confidential or sealed materials electronically, 

parties serve the materials by a method other than CM/ECF

because only court users may access confidential or sealed 

materials through CM/ECF. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3). 

Because service is performed outside of CM/ECF, a proof of 

service must be attached to the filing. See Fed. Cir. R. 

25(e)(3)–(4).
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b) Certificate of Confidential Material

When filing a confidential version of a motion, petition, 

response, reply, or brief that includes material marked 

confidential under Fed. Cir. 25.1(d)(1), counsel must also 

include a Certificate of Confidential Material (Form 31). See 

Fed. Cir. R. 25.1(e)(2). Documents filed under Fed. Cir. R. 

25.1(d)(1) without an attached Certificate of Confidential 

Material may be found non-compliant and require refiling.

c) Confidential Filing in Error

If a filer erroneously includes confidential information in a 

public filing or misfiles a confidential or sealed document

using a public event, the filer should promptly call the Clerk’s 

Office at 202-275-8000 or 202-275-8055 during business hours. 

If the error is discovered after hours or on the weekend, 

please call the after-hours line at 202-275-8049 and/or email 

emergencyfilings@cafc.uscourts.gov.

Additional information about after-hours emergency filing

support is available on the court’s website at 

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/the-court/clerks-office/. 

6. Documents Exempt from Electronic Filing

a) Items That Cannot Be Filed Electronically

Exhibits, attachments, or appendices that are not in a 

format that readily permits electronic filing, such as materials 

that are illegible when scanned or are unable to be 

scanned because of their odd shape, may be filed in 

physical form without leave of court. See Fed. Cir. R. 

25(c)(1)(B) for filing requirements. When filing under this 

exemption, counsel must also file a Notice of Physical Filing

electronically. 

Documents filed under this exemption must be served 

outside of CM/ECF in accordance with Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(2). 

b) Paper Filing by Leave of Court

Electronic filers may move for exemption from the court’s

CM/ECF requirements upon a showing of good cause. A 

motion for exemption may be filed in paper form. See Fed 

Cir. R. 25(c)(1)(A). 
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c) Electronic Appendix Material 

Electronic appendix material that cannot be produced in 

paper may be filed with the Clerk’s Office consistent with 

the requirements of Fed. Cir. R. 30(i). The material must still 

receive proper appendix pagination, but the party should 

include a slip sheet in the appendix to note the physical 

filing of copies on CD-ROM or other medium, as well as the 

requisite statement concerning instructions and malware. 

d) Highly Sensitive Material

Pursuant to Administrative Order 2021-04, issued on January 

13, 2021, parties may file a Motion for Highly Sensitive 

Document Protection in order to grant documents a level of 

security greater than that provided through filing as 

confidential or under seal in CM/ECF. The confidential 

version of the motion must be filed in paper and must 

include the proposed highly sensitive document submitted in 

a separate, sealed envelope labeled “HIGHLY SENSITIVE 

DOCUMENT”. Review the full text of Administrative Order 

2021-04 here. 

7. File Size Limitation 

Documents filed in CM/ECF are subject to file size limitations, with a 

file maximum of 60 megabytes (MB) per document. Files that 

exceed this limitation will be rejected by the system.

Documents exceeding the file size limitation should be divided into 

smaller documents.

Note: Documents exceeding the file size limits will not be exempted 

from electronic filing requirements without leave of court. The file 

size limit applies to individuals PDFs, not the total size of all PDFs 

uploaded to a single event. Counsel should attempt to reduce 

total file size before resorting to splitting a document into multiple 

PDFs.

Use the following procedures to divide an oversized document in 

Adobe Acrobat. For other software packages, consult the 

software instructions.

1. Open the oversized PDF and click on Tools. Select Pages then 

Split Document. 
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2. In the dialog box that opens, select Split document by File size

and enter 60 in the Max MB box. Then click either (1) Output 

Options to rename the separate files and save them in a 

different folder or (2) OK to use the automatic file-naming 

function.

Note: If Output Options are not used, the split parts of the 

document are automatically saved in the same folder as the 

original file and the label “Part#” is added at the end of the 

original file name.

8. Filing on Non-Business Days

Unless otherwise ordered, when documents are filed and served 

electronically on non-business days as defined by Fed. R. App. P. 26 

and Fed. Cir. R. 26, calculation of responsive deadlines, if any, will 

begin on the next business day. See Fed. Cir. R. 26(a)(2).

9. Non-Compliant Filings

The Clerk’s Office may require a corrected copy of any submission 

that fails to comply with either the Federal Rules of Appellate 

Procedure, the Federal Circuit Rules, or the Electronic Filing 

Procedures. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(4). The Clerk’s Office will provide 

notice and an opportunity to correct the document within a 

reasonable period. Failure to correct may result in the clerk of 

court striking the entry from the docket.

10. Paper Copies

Paper copies of documents filed electronically must only be 

provided to the court in accordance with Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(3). 

Unless ordered otherwise, the court must not receive paper copies 

of any document filed electronically that are not required under 

Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(3) (including notices of appeal, entries of 

appearance, bills of costs, and motions).

11. Portable Document Format (PDF)

Only documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) may be filed 

in CM/ECF. 

The following outlines the technical requirements for electronicallyfiled documents

a) Converting to PDF

Before filing in CM/ECF, all documents must be converted to

PDF. When possible, the document should be created as a 
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PDF file directly from the word processing program instead 

of from a scanned paper document. Instructions for

converting documents to PDF are available on the PACER 

website at https://www.pacer.gov/psc/efaq.html. 

b) Flattening a PDF

When uploading a document to CM/ECF, the PDF should 

not contain encryptions, embedded comments, scripts, links,

form fields, or executables. Users must lock or “flatten”

the PDF document before filing. To flatten a PDF document, 

print the document as a PDF and then save the document. 

Make the printed as PDF document text-searchable and 

then file the flattened document in CM/ECF.

For using court forms issued on or after July 2020, click the 

Save for Filing button to flatten the form before filing. This 

functionality will only work when using Adobe Acrobat to 

view the form. 

Adobe Acrobat Users (versions 9 and above): To flatten 

documents within Adobe Acrobat, select Preflight from the 

Print Production Tool, then select Flatten annotations and 

form fields and click Analyze and fix.

c) Optimization

All PDF files should be optimized for viewing over the Internet 

by reducing the file size of the PDF whenever possible.

Within Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional, the file can 

be optimized by saving it as an Optimized PDF. 

d) Page Numbers

Page numbers may change or shift (called “flowing”) when 

converting a document from the word processing program 

to PDF. The Clerk’s Office recommends parties review all 

pages of a PDF document before filing to ensure the format

is as originally intended.

Consult www.adobe.com or your PDF-converted software 

user guide for additional information about addressing 

flowing problems.
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e) Text-Searchable

PDF documents must be text-searchable in their entirety. 

Typically, documents converted to PDF directly from a word 

processing program will be text-searchable. PDF documents 

can be made text-searchable using the OCR (optical

character recognition) functionality in the PDF software.

Note: To verify whether a PDF document is text-searchable, 

use the text search box in the PDF viewing program to find a 

word known to be in the document. If no matches were 

found, the document is not text-searchable. Filers should still 

use the OCR functionality on pages containing handwritten 

material or images.

f) Document Splitting Not Permitted

There is no limitation on the number of documents attached 

to one docket entry, only limitations on the size of individual 

files attached to an entry. An electronic filer submitting a 

single filing must upload the entire submission in a single 

docket entry (by using the filing event once). A single filing 

spread across multiple docket entries may be found noncompliant. For example, if filing a four-volume appendix, all 

four volumes must be uploaded in the same docket entry, 

not individually filed under separate docket entries.

g) Supporting Attachments

Each PDF uploaded as an attachment is given a default 

name by the electronic filing system. A party uploading 

multiple attachments should change the default names to 

reflect the actual title of the attachments.

The court does not have a stated preference regarding 

attaching multiple PDFs in a single entry in lieu of attaching 

one longer document. A filer may choose to upload 

multiple attachments to an individual entry if the filer 

believes such subdivision will promote clarity, or to account 

for file size. The court does, however, discourage 

unnecessary subdivision of PDFs. Individual volumes must 

always be separate PDF attachments in the same entry.
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12. Redaction

a) General

The parties and counsel are responsible for redacting all 

sensitive or confidential material from documents filed with

the court. See Fed. Cir. R. 25.1(a)(3). The Clerk’s Office does 

not review documents for compliance with this rule. 

However, on its own initiative or at the request of a party, the 

court may strike the document, direct other corrective 

action, and/or impose sanctions on any party failing to 

redact such information.

To ensure redactions do not remain accessible in filed 

documents, counsel may consider completely deleting the

information in the original word processing document and 

replacing it with innocuous filler characters such as “X,” or a 

required general descriptor, if required pursuant to Fed. Cir. 

R. 25.1(e)(1)(B).

b) Access to Confidential or Sealed Materials

Confidential documents filed under the correct events in 

CM/ECF are restricted to the court only. Confidential 

documents must be served on parties and counsel through 

alternative methods, and it is the filer’s responsible to ensure 

that all appropriate parties are served with the confidential 

document. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3); Fed. Cir. R. 25.1(a)(2). 

Absent court order, the Clerk’s Office may not provide 

access to confidential or sealed documents except to case 

participants served at the time of filing. See Fed. Cir. R. 

45(b).

c) Privacy Requirements

Pursuant to Fed. R. App. P 25(a)(5) and Fed. Cir. R. 25(f), the 

parties must refrain from including or must redact the 

following information from all documents not submitted as 

confidential or under seal: 

o Full Social Security numbers. If an individual’s Social 

Security number must be included in a document, 

only the last four digits of the number should be used. 

o Taxpayer identification numbers. If an individual’s 

taxpayer identification number must be included in a 
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document, only the last four digits of the number 

should be used. 

o Names of minor children. If a minor child must be 

mentioned, only the initials of the child should be 

used. 

o Full dates of birth unless essential to a claim or 

defense. It is acceptable to disclose an age or year 

of birth if relevant. 

o Full financial account numbers. If financial account 

numbers are relevant, only the last four digits of the 

number should be used. 

Counsel and the parties are responsible for redacting these 

personal identifiers. See Fed. Cir. R. 25.1(a)(3).

d) Redaction Tool

Adobe Acrobat Standard and Professional versions have a 

built-in redaction tool that is effective at removing sensitive 

material directly from a PDF document. Please refer to your 

version of Acrobat’s instructions on how to use this tool.

e) Removing Metadata

Counsel should review their word processing software 

documentation for methods of removing sensitive 

metadata. For example, the Document Inspector in Word 

will remove metadata before converting to PDF; in 

WordPerfect, there is an option to Save Without Metadata.

13. Retention of Original Documents

Documents that are electronically filed and require original

signatures other than that of the CM/ECF filer (such as an affidavit 

signed by a person other than the filer) must be maintained in 

paper form until the case is terminated with finality and with no 

right of appeal or until such later date as the court prescribes. On 

request of the court, the filer must provide original documents for 

review. Fed. Cir. R. 25(g)(3).

14. Service of Documents

a) Certificate of Service

A certificate or proof of service is only required for 

documents not served on all parties through CM/ECF. Each 
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certificate of service must indicate how service was 

accomplished. Fed. R. App. P. 25(d); Fed. R. Cir. 25(e).

A certificate of service form is available on the court’s

website (Form 30).

b) Consent to Electronic Service

Registration as an electronic filer constitutes consent to 

electronic service of all documents. If a document is filed 

through CM/ECF, the Notice of Docketing Activity 

generated by that filing constitutes service on opposing

counsel. Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(1).

Electronic filers are responsible for both regularly checking 

the email address connected with the registered account 

and for keeping a working email address connected with 

the account. The Clerk’s Office is not responsible for filings 

not received due to an incorrect or inoperative email 

account.

The size of your email account must be sufficient to receive 

Notices of Docketing Activity, which may exceed the size 

allocated for free email accounts. In general, an email 

account with storage space of at least 100 megabytes (MB) 

is sufficient. Ensure the spam filters on the email account 

and network are set to receive email from 

filingnotice@cafc.uscourts.gov. 

c) Notice of Docket Activity

CM/ECF automatically generates a Notice of Docket 

Activity when a document is filed in a case. This email 

notice includes the time of filing, the name of the party filing 

the document, the text of the docket entry created by the 

filing, hyperlinks to any PDF document filed and to the 

docket report, and the name and contact information of 

the participants receiving notice. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity is emailed to the filer and to the other case 

participants who have registered for CM/ECF.

Note: Internal case management identification letters will 

appear immediately after the assigned case number in the 

subject line of the notice of docket activity served 

electronically. These letters are not part of the case number 

and are not to be included on any filings in this court.
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Note: Confidential or sealed documents are not accessible 

through the hyperlink to the PDF document.

15. Signature Format

Every brief, motion, or other paper filed with the court must be 

signed by the party filing the paper, or if the party is represented, 

by one of the party’s attorneys who has entered an appearance in 

the case. See Fed. R. App. P. 32(d); Fed. Cir. R. 32(g). An 

electronic signature is acceptable for all documents filed 

electronically. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(g)(2); see also Fed. Cir. R. 32(g) 

(explaining the use of multiple signatures).

The court accepts two forms of electronic signatures: (1) the 

printed name of the individual preceded by the mark “/s/” entered 

on the signature line or (2) an electronic signature from a 

commercial provider that complies with the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. § 

7001). 

When using an electronic signature in the signature block of a 

document, the name of the electronic signer must match the 

name on the account used to file the document in CM/ECF. See

Fed. R. App. P. 25(a)(2)(B)(iii); Fed. Cir. R. 25(g)(1).

Note: The oath of admission to the bar requires an original 

handwritten signature. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(g)(2). 

16. Timeliness and Deadlines

a) Time Zone

The court operates in the Eastern time zone as applied in 

Washington, D.C., and deadlines are therefore calculated in 

Eastern time. Filers in other time zones must account for any 

time difference to ensure a filing is completed before 

midnight (Eastern) on the day the document is due. 

CM/ECF will only record filings as of the Eastern time they are 

completed.

Note: Like CM/ECF filings, case-initiating documents 

transmitted as PDF attachments via email to 

intake@cafc.uscourts.gov must also be received on the 

court’s email server before midnight (Eastern) on the day the 

document is due.

b) Filed When Completed

A submission is not registered as filed with the court’s 

electronic filing system until it is entered on the docket and 
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the notice of docket activity is generated. The docket and 

notice will identify the time of the filing. Merely beginning 

the process of filing through CM/ECF before the deadline 

expires does not confer timeliness.

c) Electronic Filing Accessibility

The court will provide notice when electronic filing is 

inaccessible and may extend deadlines accordingly. A 

court closure or inaccessibility of the Clerk’s Office will not 

necessarily extend electronic filing deadlines unless the court 

issues a notice so indicating. See Fed. Cir. R. 26(a)(4).

d) Technical or System Failures

Per Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(1)(C), “[a]n electronic filer whose filing 

is untimely as the result of a technical or system failure may 

file a motion for leave to file out of time that includes (1) a 

declaration or affidavit attesting to the failed attempts to file 

electronically and (2) the document that could not be filed 

due to the technical or system failure.”

17. “Leave to File” Document Requirements

When submitting a document that requires leave of the court in 

order to be filed (i.e., a document that is not authorized by the rules 

or is untimely) and therefore would not be considered filed until the 

day the court grants the motion for leave, that document must be 

attached to the motion entry as a supporting document. The 

document must not be filed using a separate event. If the court 

grants leave, the court will enter the document on the docket with 

the appropriate filing date. Please note that “leave” in this context 

is not the same as waiver of a rule. If waiver of a rule is required for 

a document to be compliant (e.g., waiver of the confidential word 

limit), that document must still be filed using its appropriate event.

18. Corrected Filings

When filing a corrected version of a document, parties must state 

“Corrected” on the cover or front page and select “Corrected” 

when prompted to do so during electronic submission if the event 

requests such a selection.
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If filing a notice of correction with the corrected document, the 

two documents must be uploaded using separate events. The 

corrected document must not be uploaded as an attachment to 

the notice. If filing a motion for leave to correct, the proposed 

corrected document must be uploaded as an attachment to the 

motion.
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B. Standard Filing Procedure

The following is the standard procedure for electronically filing all 

documents. Clicking the Getting Started menu will also walk through the 

process. Instructions for specific types of documents are provided after 

this section. 

Note: These screen captures were produced for use by all federal courts 

and may vary slightly from the Federal Circuit’s site.

1. In CM/ECF go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

If the case number is valid, the case’s title is shown and a list 

of parties and attorneys is displayed on the right. The filed 

date will populate with the day you are making the filing 

(even if on weekends or holidays).

3. Select the type of document to be filed. Scroll through the list 

of documents and click on a row in the table to select the 

appropriate document.
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To narrow the list before selecting, type part of the name in the 

Type of Document box; another way is to select a Category 

from the dropdown list.

4. Click on the document type to be filed.

5. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge any pop-up 

message.

6. Select the Party Filer (or complete the Non-Party Filer panel if 

not yet a party to the case).

7. Complete any prompts.
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8. Enter the Service Date. The system will prepopulate the service 

default for each party based on their system settings.

9. Upload the document and any supporting documents. Add 

any additional documents by clicking Browse until all 

documents are uploaded. Update the description for each 

document as needed.

Note: Documents must be uploaded under one event. Multiple 

events must not be used to upload separate document parts or 

additional exhibits or attachments to a document. When 

uploading multiple attachments to one entry, please re-name 

the documents appropriately.
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10. Complete any prompts.

For example, if your event must relate to an existing event (e.g., 

when correcting a previously filed document), you will see the 

Related Entries panel.

11. Click Continue and complete additional prompts related to the 

docket text. Verify that the information in the docket text is 

correct. If not, click the arrow to open any other section to 

make changes. Once verified, click Continue.

12. The Final Review panel will appear.

• If the File to Case list or the Type of Document value is 

incorrect, click Cancel and start over.

• If any of the other information is incorrect, click the Edit link 

at the bottom; you can then open any previous section to 

make changes, depending on the changes you make, you 

may need to enter information in subsequent sections. The 

Final Review and Docket Text panels will be shown again.

• Make sure your documents have been redacted, if required.

Click the name of the file in the Upload Documents section 

to review. If you need to replace a document, click the Edit 

link and open the Upload Documents section.

13. Click Submit to complete the filing.
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C. Filing a New Petition or Appeal

Appeals from a U.S. District Court, the U.S Court of International Trade, U.S. 

Court of Federal Claims (excluding vaccine compensation cases), and 

the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims are initiated by filing a 

notice of appeal and the paying the docketing and filing fee with these 

courts’ respective clerk’s offices. All other proceedings are filed directly 

with the Federal Circuit’s Clerk’s Office. 

Note: When appealing U.S. Patent and Trademark Office decisions, the 

notice of appeal must be timely filed with the Patent and Trademark 

Office with simultaneously transmission to the Clerk’s Office and payment 

of the filing fee. See Fed. Cir. R. 15(a)(1).

Counsel must first register for electronic filing with this court before being 

able to submit a new petition for review or notice of appeal to this court

(or in appeals from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a copy of the 

original notice of appeal filed there first). Counsel will be permitted to 

submit a new petition or appeal electronically with this court after 

registering even if the court has not yet processed an application for bar 

admission. 

Unrepresented parties will not be able to file case-initiating documents 

with this court through the court’s electronic filing system, even if they are 

registered filers. Instead, all case-initiating filings from unrepresented 

parties must be received in paper or transmitted to the court as a PDF 

attachment via email to intake@cafc.uscourts.gov. 

Note: Only case-initiating documents will be accepted at this address; all 

other documents or messages will not be accepted or processed. See 

Fed. R. Cir. 25(a)(1). 

1. Filing Fee

Counsel must pay all filing fees due to the Clerk of Court through 

CM/ECF and Pay.gov, and may pay the filing fee at the time of 

filing the new petition or appeal. Unrepresented parties must still 

submit docketing fee payments by mail or in person unless they are 

registered to file electronically and have filed a completed and 

compliant Notice of Unrepresented Person Appearance at the 

time the docketing fee is due. Unrepresented parties able to file 

electronically who have not yet paid the docketing fee must pay 

through CM/ECF and Pay.gov. The filing fee must be paid within 14 

days after docketing or the case may be dismissed for failure to 

pay the filing fee. See Fed. Cir. R. 52(c)-(e). 
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Note: The event to pay the docketing fee in a case is Pay 

Docketing Fee.

2. Case Initiation

a. In CM/ECF, go to the Utilities menu.

b. Select Submit New Case without Fee Payment or Submit New 

Case with Fee Payment.

Note: All new petitions or appeals may be filed without 

prepayment of fees. However, any fee must be paid within 14 

days of docketing or the case may be subject to dismissal for 

failure to pay the filing fee. See Fed. Cir. R. 52(d).

c. Select the type of appeal or petition:

• 1292(b) Petition

(only under Submit New Case without Fee Payment)

• Agency Petition/NOA

• Petition for Writ of Mandamus

• Petition for Other Miscellaneous Writ

• Court of Federal Claims Vaccine Case

d. Upload the case initiating document, including, if applicable,

proof of service to the opposing party.

Note: A petition for writ of mandamus or prohibition must also 

be accompanied by the entry of appearance for principal 

counsel. See Fed. Cir. R. 21(a).

e. Complete the filing transaction.

After the Clerk’s Office receives your notice of appeal or 

petition for review, a case number and case manager will be 

assigned. A case manager will open and docket the case and 

then notify the parties the case has been docketed. See Fed. 

Cir. R. 12.
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D. Emergency Filings

Before filing an emergency motion for a stay or emergency motion for an 

injunction requesting immediate action, a party must first notify all parties 

that a motion will be filed. Fed. Cir. R. 8(b), 18(b).

Notify the Clerk’s Office: The filing party should also advise the Clerk’s 

Office as soon as possible when filing (or contemplating filing) an

emergency matter (including an emergency petition for writ of 

mandamus or other writ). The Clerk’s Office can be reached during 

business hours at 202-275-8000 and after-hours and on weekends at 202-

275-8049 and emergencyfilings@cafc.uscourts.gov. Failure to notify the 

Clerk’s Office may result in processing delays. See the Practice Notes to 

Rule 8, 18.

1. Emergency Petition for Writ of Mandamus or Other Writ

a. In CM/ECF, go to the Utilities menu.

b. Select Submit New Case with Fee Payment. 

Note: An emergency writ of mandamus may be filed without 

prepayment of fees using Submit New Case without Fee 

Payment. However, any fee must be paid within 14-days of 

docketing or the case is subject to dismissal for failure to pay 

the filing fee. See Fed. Cir. R. 52(d).

c. Select Petition for Writ of Mandamus or Petition for Other 

Miscellaneous Writ. 

d. Upload the petition, including proof of service to the opposing 

party.

e. Complete the filing transaction.

2. Emergency Motion in Existing Case

a. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

b. Enter the case number.

c. Type of Document: Motion

d. Select the Party Filer. 

e. Select the type of consent for the motion.

f. Enter the Service Date. 

g. Upload the Motion and any supporting documents. 

h. Select one of the following reliefs: 
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• Stay Pending Appeal Under Rule 8/18

• Temporary Injunction Pending Appeal

i. Select the relevant emergency rule number.

j. Complete the filing transaction.

3. Emergency Motion in New Cases 

a. In CM/ECF, go to the Utilities menu.

b. Select Submit New Case without Fee Payment

Note: If a Rule 18 emergency motion is filed at the same time as 

the petition for review or petition for writ of mandamus or other 

writ, select Submit New Case with Fee Payment and include the 

petition and emergency motion in the same entry. Any fee 

must be paid within 14-days of docketing or the case is subject 

to dismissal for failure to pay the filing fee. See Fed. Cir. R. 52(d).

c. Select Motion for Emergency Stay/Injunct. 

d. Upload the motion, including proof of service to the opposing 

party.

e. Complete the filing transaction.

E. Briefs, Appendices, and Notices of Joinder

Use the following procedure for filing all merits briefs, appendices, or 

notices of joinder. The same event and procedure is used for all of these 

documents.

Note: The same filing event is used for all of the above documents. 

Note: If a motion for leave to file the brief or appendix is required because 

the filing of the document is not authorized by the court’s rules or because 

the document is untimely (e.g., amicus curiae brief), the proposed brief or 

appendix must instead be uploaded as a supporting attachment to the 

motion for leave. See “Leave to File” Document Requirements. 

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Select the Type of Document based on the following:

Document Event Explanation

Brief/Appendix or Joinder Use this event for all non-confidential 

briefs, appendices, and notices of 

joinder. 
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Document Event Explanation

Confidential Brief

/Appendix or Joinder

Use this event for all confidential

briefs, appendices, and notices of 

joinder. PDFs uploaded using this 

event will not be available for 

viewing; you must serve the parties 

by an alternative method. See Fed. 

Cir. R. 25(e)(3).

4. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge the confidential 

document warning.

5. Select the Party Filer. If a non-party is filing the brief, enter the 

party’s name in the Name of non-party filer: box.

6. Select the type of brief being filed: 

• Opening Brief

• Combined Opening Brief & Appx (FCR 30(d))

• Response Brief (also used for a Cross-Appellant’s Opening and 

Response Brief in a Cross-Appeal) 

• Combined Response Brief & Appx (FCR 30(e)) 

• Combined Response Brief & Sup. Appx (FCR 30(e)) 

• Reply Brief (also used for an Appellant’s Response and Reply 

Brief in a Cross-Appeal ) 

• Appendix

• Supplemental Brief

• Supplemental Appendix

• Intervenor Brief

• Amicus Curiae Brief 

• Letter Brief

• Notice of Joinder

7. If applicable, select if the document is Corrected. 

8. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect. 

Note: The method of service information must match the 

information on any proof of service attached to the filing. 
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Note: When filing a confidential brief/appendix or joinder, parties

must be served by an alternative method. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3).

9. Upload the brief/appendix by clicking Browse. 

Note: If the filed brief exceeds the page limitation under Fed. R. 

App. P. 32(a)(7)(A) or Fed. Cir. R. 28.1(a), a Certificate of 

Compliance with Type-Volume Limitations (Form 19) must be 

included with the event. Filings without the required certificate 

may be found non-compliant and require a corrected submission.

10. Click Continue. 

11. Review the Docket Text. Verify that the information in the docket 

text is correct. If not, click the arrow to open any other section to 

make changes. Once verified, click Continue. 

12. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

13. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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F. Motions

Use the following procedure for filing a motion or when filing a motion as 

part of a response/opposition (not a brief) or a status report.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Select the Type of Document based on the following:

Document Event Explanation

Motion More than one relief may need 

to be selected, depending on 

nature of motion.

Motion for Leave to Proceed in 

Forma Pauperis

Use to file a motion for leave to 

proceed in forma pauperis (see

Form 6). The document filed 

with this event is restricted and 

is not available to the public.

Response/Opposition with 

Incorporated Motion

Use when filing a motion as 

part of a response/opposition. 

The title of the document must

reflect the incorporation of the 

motion. This event will allow 

the user to select the requested 

relief(s).

Status Report with Incorporated 

Motion 

Use when filing a motion as 

part of a status report. The title 

of the document must reflect 

the incorporation of a motion. 

This event will allow the user to 

select the requested relief(s).

4. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge the multiple reliefs

notice.

5. Select the Party Filer. If a non-party is filing the motion, enter the 

party’s name in the Name of non-party filer box.

6. Select the motion’s consent type: consented, opposed, partial

consent, unknown, withheld, or other. 

Note: Consent information, including whether a response will be 

filed, must still be included in the body of the motion. See Fed. Cir. 

R. 27(a)(2). However, consent information will not appear in the 

docket text for the motion.
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7. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect.

Note: The method of service information must match the 

information on any proof of service attached to the filing.

8. Upload the motion by clicking Browse. Add any additional 

documents by clicking Browse until all documents are uploaded. 

Update the description for each document as needed.

Note: If filing a motion for leave to file a document that you do not

otherwise have authority to file (e.g., an amicus brief, a sur-reply 

brief, or an out of time filing), the document must be attached in 

the motion entry. See “Leave to File” Document Requirements. 

9. Select the relief (or reliefs) for the motion by clicking on the relief. A 

list of all motion reliefs is available at Motion Reliefs. 

10. Click Continue. 

11. MAY NOT APPEAR BASED ON THE RELIEF SELECTED: Complete any 

additional prompts, including selecting any related entries (such as 

with the Correct/Supplement or Expedite Other reliefs).

12. Click Continue to review the Docket Text. Verify that the 

information in the docket text is correct. If not, click the arrow to 

open any other section to make changes. Once verified, click 

Continue. 

13. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

14. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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1. Motion for Highly Sensitive Document Protection

Use the following procedure for filing a motion requesting highly 

sensitive document protection pursuant to Administrative Order 

2021-04, issued on January 13, 2021. These instructions should only 

be used for filing the non-confidential version of the motion. The 

confidential version must be filed in paper. Also, please include the 

non-confidential version of the Certificate for Highly Sensitive 

Document Protection in the electronically filed motion. Review the 

full Order here for further procedures regarding highly sensitive 

documents.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge the multiple reliefs

notice.

4. Select the Party Filer. If a non-party is filing the motion, enter the 

party’s name in the Name of non-party filer box.

5. Select the motion’s consent type: consented, opposed, partial 

consent, unknown, withheld, or other. 

6. Note: Consent information, including whether a response will be 

filed, must still be included in the body of the motion. See Fed. 

Cir. R. 27(a)(2). However, consent information will not appear in 

the docket text for the motion.

7. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any 

of the default service options for each party are incorrect.

8. Note: The method of service information must match the 

information on any proof of service attached to the filing.

9. Upload the motion by clicking Browse. Add any additional 

documents by clicking Browse until all documents are 

uploaded. Update the description for each document as 

needed.

10. Select the Highly Sensitive Document Protection relief under the 

Other category by clicking on the relief. Other reliefs may also 

be added to this motion.

11. Click Continue. 

12. Click Continue to review the Docket Text. Verify that the 

information in the docket text is correct. If not, click the arrow 
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to open any other section to make changes. Once verified, 

click Continue. 

13. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, or click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

14. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.

2. Motion for Removing a Confidential Document from CM/ECF

Use the following procedure for filing a motion requesting that a 

highly sensitive document be removed from CM/ECF pursuant to 

Administrative Order 2021-04, issued on January 13, 2021. Review 

the full Order here for further procedures regarding highly sensitive 

documents and removing confidential documents from CM/ECF.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge the multiple reliefs

notice.

4. Select the Party Filer. If a non-party is filing the motion, enter the 

party’s name in the Name of non-party filer box.

5. Select the motion’s consent type: consented, opposed, partial 

consent, unknown, withheld, or other. 

Note: Consent information, including whether a response will be 

filed, must still be included in the body of the motion. See Fed. 

Cir. R. 27(a)(2). However, consent information will not appear in 

the docket text for the motion.

6. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect.

Note: The method of service information must match the 

information on any proof of service attached to the filing.

7. Upload the motion by clicking Browse. Add any additional 

documents by clicking Browse until all documents are uploaded. 

Update the description for each document as needed.

8. Select the Remove Confidential Document from CM/ECF relief

under the Other category by clicking on the relief. Other reliefs 

may also be added to this motion.

9. Click Continue. 
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10. Select all entries which would be removed from CM/ECF. 

11. Click Continue to review the Docket Text. Verify that the 

information in the docket text is correct. If not, click the arrow to 

open any other section to make changes. Once verified, click 

Continue. 

12. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

13. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.

G. Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling Conflicts

Use the following procedure to respond to a Notice to Advise of 

Scheduling Conflicts. See also Fed. Cir. R. 34.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number. 

3. Select the Type of Document: Response to Notice to Advise of 

Scheduling Conflicts. 

4. Click Continue. 

5. Select the Party Filer. 

6. Use the court’s Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling 

Conflicts (Form 32). 

7. Upload the completed form by clicking Browse. 

8. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect.

Note: The selected service information must match the information 

on any proof of service attached to the filing.
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9. Click Continue to review the Docket Text. Verify that the 

information in the docket text is correct. If not, click the arrow to 

open any other section to make changes. Once verified, click 

Continue.

10. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

11. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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H. Response to Notice of Oral Argument

Use the following procedure for responding to the Notice of Oral 

Argument. See also Fed. Cir. R. 34.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Select the Type of Document: Response to Notice of Oral 

Argument. 

4. Click Continue. 

5. If applicable, select if the response is Corrected or Amended. 

6. Select the Party Filer. 

7. Upload a completed Response to Notice of Oral Argument (Form 

33). 

Note: The total time entered may not exceed the time stated on 

the Notice of Oral Argument. Please review the Notice of Oral 

Argument for additional information and limitations on argument.

8. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect.

Note: The selected service information must match the information 

on any proof of service attached to the filing.

9. Click Continue to review the Docket Text. Verify that the 

information in the docket text is correct. If not, click the arrow to 

open any other section to make changes. Once verified, click 

Continue. 

10. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

11. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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I. Petition for Rehearing or Hearing/Rehearing En Banc

Use the following procedure for filing a petition for panel rehearing, a 

petition for en banc hearing, or a petition for en banc rehearing. See 

Fed. Cir. R. 35; Fed. Cir. R. 40. 

Note: Use the event Response/Opposition or Reply to respond or reply to 

a petition (responses and replies may only be filed at the direction of the 

court or with leave of court). An amicus brief on a petition should be 

attached to the motion for leave to file under the Motion event. 

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Select the Type of Document: Petition.

4. Click Continue. Click OK to acknowledge the extension of time 

notice. 

5. Select the Party Filer. 

6. Select the type of petition being filed: En Banc Hearing, En Banc 

Rehearing, or Panel Rehearing

Note: Select both Panel Rehearing and En Banc Rehearing when 

filing a combined petition. 

7. Click Continue. 

8. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect.

Note: The selected service information must match the information 

on any proof of service attached to the filing.

9. Upload the petition by clicking Browse. 

10. Click Continue. 

11. Review the Docket Text. Verify that the information in the docket 

text is correct. If not, click the arrow to open any other section to 

make changes. Once verified, click Continue. 

12. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s). 

13. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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J. Confidential and Sealed Documents

Use the following procedure for filing a confidential or sealed document. 

See Briefs for filing a confidential or sealed brief or appendix. 

When filing a confidential or sealed document, you must first separately 

file a non-confidential version of the document using the appropriate 

document event.

1. In CM/ECF, go to the Filing menu.

2. Enter the case number.

3. Select the Type of Document: Sealed/Confidential Document

4. Click Continue. Check the box and click OK to acknowledge the 

confidentiality requirements.

5. Select the Party Filer. If a non-party is filing the document, enter the 

party’s name in the Name of non-party filer: box.

6. Enter a description of the document being filed.

7. Select the related non-confidential version of the document 

already filed.

8. Click Continue. 

9. Enter the Service Date and adjust the method of service if any of 

the default service options for each party are incorrect. 

Note: The selected service information must match the information 

on the proof of service attached to the filing.

Note: Any PDFs uploaded using this event will not be available for 

viewing and must be served on parties using an alternative

method. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3).

10. Upload the confidential/sealed document by clicking Browse. 

11. Click Continue. 

12. Review the Docket Text. Verify that the information in the docket 

text is correct. If not, click the arrow to open any other section to 

make changes. Once verified, click Continue. 

13. Perform the Final Review. Select Edit to adjust any entries, select 

Cancel to cancel the filing, click the document link(s) under 

Upload Documents to review the document(s).

14. Click Submit to complete the filing. The Notice of Docketing 

Activity will pop-up if pop-ups are disabled in your browser.
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K. Other Document Types

An alphabetical listing of all available document type events, as well as 

an explanation of when to use that document event, is available at 

Document Types. 

L. Non-Compliance Procedure

Pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(4), the Clerk’s Office may issue notices of 

non-compliance to parties when filings do not comply with the Federal 

Rules of Appellate Procedure, Federal Circuit Rules, or Electronic Filing 

Procedures. 

Electronic filers have five business days from the date of the noncompliance notice to file a corrected version of the document. Paper 

filers have fourteen days from the date of the non-compliance notice to 

file a corrected version of the document. If a party does not file a timely 

corrected document, the Clerk’s Office may strike the document from the 

docket.

Non-compliance notices include the reason(s) why the document is not 

compliant, along with citations to the relevant rules or procedures. 

In some instances, usually when a filing contains only minor practice note 

or electronic filing-related errors, the Clerk’s Office may issue a quality 

control notice and not require corrective action.
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V. Reports

A. Payment History Report

This report allows users to see payments made in this court, in order by 

date (starting with the most recent payment). Change the order by 

clicking the column header.

B. PACER Report

This report allows users to search for cases, retrieve case docket sheets, 

access the court calendar, search for opinions, search for 

orders/judgments, and search for briefs.

1. Case Search

From this option, users can find a case by its number and/or the 

name of an attorney or party.
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The results screen will provide general information about the 

case(s) retrieved. 

Clicking the case number will open the General Docket (or Case 

Summary).

Clicking the Full Docket button at the top of the General Docket 

page will produce the regular docket report with options for 

providing all or some information about the case. 

Note: The PACER per-page charge applies.

2. Calendar

From this option, users are redirected to this court’s webpage listing 

the schedule of upcoming arguments: 

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/scheduled-cases/ 

3. Opinions 

From this option, users are redirected to court’s opinions and orders 

webpage listing issued opinions and orders: 

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/case-information/opinions-orders/. 
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4. Orders/Judgments

From this option, users can search in PACER for opinions, orders, 

and judgments of the court. 

5. Briefs

From this option, users can search for briefs in cases.

C. Service List

This report will provide the list of all parties and attorneys receiving service 

in the entered case. This report is useful in assisting filers in preparing

certificates of service.
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April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 73 

VI. Utilities

A. Bar History Report 

This report provides information about an attorney’s application and 

admission to this court’s bar.

B. Check PDF Document

This utility allows filers to check whether a document meets the CM/ECF 

technical filing requirements.

Note: This utility does not check for whether the document is textsearchable or otherwise compliant with the court’s rules. 

C. Notice for Cases of Interest

This utility allows filers (and Public Interested Person accounts) to register 

for email notification whenever docket activity occurs in a case where 

the user is not involved. See Receiving Notifications for Cases of Interest. 

D. Submit New Case with Fee Payment

See Filing a New Petition or Appeal

E. Submit New Case without Fee Payment

See Filing a New Petition or Appeal
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F. Pay Miscellaneous Fees

All miscellaneous document or research requests that require fee 

payments are processed through Pay.gov. The Clerk’s Office fee 

schedule is available on our website at

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/case-information/fee-schedules/. 

In submitting a request, please include a document describing the nature 

of the request and current contact information. 

For records requests, please submit the Records Request Form before

attempting to pay a fee.

Note: Do not include any payment information on the uploaded 

document.

1. General 

a. In CM/ECF, go to the Utilities menu.

b. Select Pay Miscellaneous Fees, then the type of request.

c. Confirm the correct fee type and amount are displayed before 

selecting a quantity (if applicable) and uploading a document 

that explains the nature of the request with current contact 

information. 

d. Attach additional supporting documents as needed. 

Note: Separate requests require separate transactions. 

Combining multiple requests into a single transaction will be 

rejected by the Clerk’s Office.

e. Click the Pay Now and Submit button to proceed to Pay.gov. 

Users have the option of using the PACER billing information 

already on file or inputting new payment information.

f. The Clerk’s Office will request additional information as needed.

2. Copy Fees

Although copy requests are also processed the same as other 

requests, please contact the Clerk’s Office first to obtain the 

quantity of pages before submitting a fee for copy services.

a. Email records@cafc.uscourts.gov with the following information

• Case number

• Identifying document information (docket number, party 

filer, date filed, document title)
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• Contact information

b. Once the user receives the payment information from the 

Clerk’s Office, complete the miscellaneous fee process. 

G. Update My Account

The only change users can make on this screen is to the Show PDF Header

option at the bottom. This determines whether header information (such 

as case number, page count, etc.) is shown on the docket report and 

other PDF documents. If users change the Show PDF Header option, users

must click the Save button. 

If you need to change other account settings, click the Edit My 

Information button to open a new window at the PACER Service Center

(PSC) site. 
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April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 76 

VII. Additional Resources

A. Online Resources

1. Filing Resources 

The Clerk’s Office has created several resources to supplement 

these procedures and to assist counsel and parties with cases 

before this court. 

These resources are available on our website at 

https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/case-information/filing-resources/. 

2. Tutorials 

The PACER Service Center has created the following generic 

training modules to assist electronic filers with using NextGen

CM/ECF.

a) Account Maintenance

• Attorney Accounts

• Maintenance Tab

• PACER Administrative Account (PAA)

b) Using NextGen CM/ECF

• Introduction to Appellate NextGen CM/ECF

• File a Motion in Appellate NextGen CM/ECF

3. General Information

• PACER User Manual

• NextGen CM/ECF
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B. User Support

Topic Contact Information

Account Maintenance PACER Service Center

800-676-6856 

http://www.pacer.gov/

Account Registration

(PACER or Electronic Filing)

PACER Service Center

800-676-6856 

http://www.pacer.gov/

Filer Access and Bar Admissions 

(after PACER account creation)

accountservices@cafc.uscourts.gov

202-275-8000

General Questions 202-275-8035

Case-Specific Questions (before 

the case is calendared)

202-275-8055

Case-Specific Questions (after 

the case is calendared)

202-275-8035

Technical Questions ecfhelp@cafc.uscourts.gov

202-275-8000

Additional Clerk’s Office contact information is available on our website 

at https://cafc.uscourts.gov/home/the-court/clerks-office/. 
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VIII.Motion Reliefs

The following is an alphabetical listing of all reliefs available when filing a motion, 

as well as an explanation of the relief.

Relief Explanation

additional time at oral 

argument

Use to request additional argument time at oral 

argument.

allow argument Use to request argument in a case.

allow costs Use to request that costs be permitted under 

Fed. R. App. P. 39 and Fed. Cir. R. 39. This can 

be used if either the court did not authorize 

costs in the case or if certain requested costs 

would not ordinarily be taxable (e.g., shipping).

attorney fees and 

expenses

Use to request attorney fees under Fed. Cir. R.

47.7. Note: Equal Access to Justice Act fee 

requests must be submitted using the relief 

EAJA attorney fees and expenses. 

clarify Use to request clarification from the court.

consolidate appeals Use to request consolidation of specified 

related cases. Note: The cases would be 

briefed and argued jointly. Such a motion 

should be filed in all cases that would be newly 

consolidated.

continue stay Use to request that a case continue to be 

stayed.

correct/supplement Use when seeking to correct or supplement a 

document that already appears on the Federal 

Circuit’s docket report. Also use to request 

leave to supplement the record.

deconsolidate appeals Use to request the deconsolidation of a 

currently consolidated set of cases. The motion 

must specify which cases are to be 

deconsolidated, and what the relationship 

between the deconsolidated cases should be 

(e.g., proceed as stand-alone cases, as 

companion cases, or consolidated into 

subsets). The motion must be submitted in the 

lead case only.

dismiss appeal pursuant to 

FRAP 42(b)

Use to request voluntary dismissal under Fed. R. 

App. P. 42(b).

disqualify Use when moving to disqualify an attorney or 

law firm from a case.
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Relief Explanation

EAJA attorney fees and 

expenses

For filing an application for attorney fees and 

expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act 

(see Form 20). Use to request attorney fees 

under the Equal Access to Justice Act. Note: 

Other attorney fee requests must be submitted 

using the relief attorney fees and expenses.

exempt from electronic 

filing

Use to request that a specific electronic filer, a 

given document, or the case in general be 

exempt from electronic filing under FCR 25.

expedite briefing Use to request an expedited briefing schedule 

and include a proposed schedule. Note: Also 

select expedite hearing as a second relief if 

seeking an expedited hearing.

expedite hearing Use to request an expedited hearing. Note: 

Also select expedite briefing as a second relief 

if seeking expedited briefing. 

expedite other Use for any other requests to expedite.

extend time to file a 

response to en banc or 

rehearing petition

Use to request an extension of time for a 

response to a petition for rehearing or en banc 

hearing, or to request leave to file a response 

out of time.

extend time to file 

appendix

Use to request an extension of time for an 

appendix or supplemental appendix, or to 

request leave to file an appendix out of time. 

extend time to file brief Use to request an extension of time to file any 

type of brief, or to request leave to file a brief 

out of time.

extend time to file other Use to request an extension of time for all other 

documents not covered by the existing

extension reliefs (including requests for leave to 

file a document out of time).

extend time to file petition 

for rehearing/en banc

Use to request an extension of time to file a 

petition for panel rehearing or rehearing en 

banc, or to request leave to file a petition out 

of time.

hear case before the same 

merits panel

Use to request that a case be heard by the 

same panel of judges as a prior related case.

highly sensitive document 

protection

Use to request that a document be classified as 

highly sensitive pursuant to Administrative Order 

2021-04 issued on January 13, 2021. Review the

Order here.

in camera proceedings Use to request that argument occur in a sealed 

courtroom to allow for inclusion of confidential 

material. 
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Relief Explanation

issue mandate Use to request that the court issue the mandate 

immediately.

leave to appear as counsel Use to request leave to file an entry of 

appearance pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 47.3(b)(4) 

after a case is assigned to a merits panel. Also 

used to request leave to appear as counsel 

without bar membership.

leave to file a 

response/reply

Use to request leave to respond or reply to a 

document that does not allow for a 

response/reply under the Rules. Note: The 

proposed response or reply must be uploaded 

as an attachment to the motion and must not 

be filed separately. 

leave to file amicus brief 

on en banc or rehearing 

petition

Use to request leave to file a brief as an amicus

curiae on a petition for hearing en banc or 

petition for rehearing under Fed. Cir. R. 35(g) or

40(f). Note: The proposed brief must be 

uploaded as an attachment to the motion and 

must not be filed separately. 

leave to file an amicus 

curiae brief

Use to request leave to file a brief as an amicus 

curiae under Fed. Cir. R. 21(e) or Fed. R. App. P. 

29(a)(3). Note: The proposed brief must be 

uploaded as an attachment to the motion and 

must not be filed separately. 

leave to file supplemental 

appendix

Use to request leave to file a supplemental 

appendix. Note: The proposed appendix must 

be uploaded as an attachment to the motion 

and must not be filed separately. A motion is 

not required to file a supplemental appendix 

under Fed. Cir. R. 30(e).

leave to file supplemental 

brief

Use to request leave to file a supplemental brief 

or sur-reply brief, or to request a supplemental 

briefing schedule. Note: Any proposed brief 

must be uploaded as an attachment to the 

motion and must not be filed separately. 

leave to intervene Use to request leave to intervene. Note: If 

intervention is already authorized by statute, a 

motion is not required and the filer may use the 

event notice of intervention.

leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis

Access to the document is restricted and is only 

available to users associated with the case.
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Relief Explanation

lift injunction Use to request that an underlying injunction be 

lifted pending appeal under Fed. R. App. P. 8 

or 18. Note: If the Federal Circuit has not yet 

docketed the case, a motion under this rule 

must be filed under Utilities  Submit New 

Case.

lift stay Use to request that a stay of a case be lifted. 

Also use to request that an underlying stay be 

lifted pending appeal under Fed. R. App. P. 8 

or 18. Note: If the Federal Circuit has not yet 

docketed the case, a motion under this rule 

must be filed under Utilities  Submit New 

Case.

limited remand Use to request a partial or limited remand of 

the case to the originating court/agency. 

Note: To request a remand of the entire case, 

use the relief terminate appeal.

modify protective order Use to request modification of a protective 

order.

modify the official caption Use to request non-typographical or otherwise 

substantive changes to the official caption, 

such as a missing party or party name change. 

Note: A request to substitute parties should use 

the relief substitute party. Typographical or 

other non-substantive changes may be 

identified to the court using the event notice of 

objection to the caption.

other relief Use this relief only when no other relief applies. 

Note: If there is uncertainty as to whether a 

different relief should apply, please contact the 

Clerk’s Office.

reactivate appeal under 

FRAP 4(a)(4)

Use to request that the court reactivate a case 

under Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(4) following 

disposition of pending post-judgment motions.

recall mandate Use to request that the court recall the 

mandate if it has already issued.

reconsider order Use to request that the court reconsider an 

order. Note: if requesting reconsideration of an 

order terminating a case, also select the relief 

reopen case.

reconsider order en banc Use to request that the court reconsider an 

order en banc. Note: If requesting 

reconsideration of an order terminating a case, 

also select the relief reopen case.

recuse judge Use to request that a given judge not be 

assigned to a merits/motions panel. 
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Relief Explanation

reissue as precedential Use to request that the court reissue a decision 

or order as precedential under FCR 32.1(e).

remove confidential 

document from CM/ECF

Use to request that a document designated as 

highly sensitive be removed from CM/ECF 

pursuant to Administrative Order 2021-04 issued 

on January 13, 2021. Review the Order here.

reopen case Use to request that a case be reinstated.

reschedule argument Use to request rescheduling of an alreadyscheduled oral argument.

sanction Use to request that the court levy sanctions on 

an attorney or party.

schedule oral argument Use to request a specific date/time for oral 

argument to be held.

seal case Use to request that a case be sealed.

seal document Use to request that the court restrict access to 

a document.

set briefing schedule Use to request a briefing schedule that is 

different from the schedule required by the 

Rules or issued by the court. Note: If requesting 

an expedited briefing schedule, use the relief 

expedite briefing. Individual brief or appendix 

extension requests should be submitted using 

the reliefs extend time to file brief or extend 

time to file appendix.

stay appeal Use to request that a case be stayed.

stay mandate Use to request that the court stay issuance of 

the mandate.

stay pending appeal – Rule 

8/18

Use to request stay of an underlying order/case 

pending appeal under Fed. R. App. P. 8 or 18. 

Note: If the Federal Circuit has not yet

docketed the case, a motion under this rule 

must be filed under Utilities  Submit New 

Case.

strike document Use to request that a document be stricken inwhole or in-part. Note: A motion to strike must 

be included in a responsive brief if one is 

authorized or if leave is obtained under Fed. 

Cir. R. 27(e) and may not take the form of a 

separately filed motion.

substitute party Use to request substitution of one or more 

parties in a case. Note: To reflect a party name 

change in the official caption, use the relief 

modify the official caption. 

summary affirmance Use to request that a case be summarily 

affirmed.
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Relief Explanation

take judicial notice Use to request that the court take judicial 

notice.

temporary injunction 

pending appeal

Use to request a temporary injunction pending 

appeal under Fed. R. App. P. 8 or 18. Note: If 

the Federal Circuit has not yet docketed the 

case, a motion under this rule must be filed 

under Utilities  Submit New Case.

terminate appeal Use to request termination of a case or set of 

consolidated cases. The motion must specify 

all case number(s) to be terminated. Note: Use 

the relief summary affirmance for summary 

affirmance of a case, and dismiss appeal 

pursuant to FRAP 42(b) for voluntary dismissal 

requests.

transmit physical exhibits Use to request transmission of physical exhibits 

from the underlying court/agency to the 

Federal Circuit.

treat as companion case Use to request that specified related cases be 

scheduled for oral argument on the same day 

before the same merits panel. Note: The cases 

would not be consolidated and would still be 

briefed and argued separately. Such a motion 

should be filed in all cases that would be made 

companions.

unseal Use to request the unsealing of either a case or 

a document.

vacate Use to request that the court vacate an order 

or decision.

waive confidentiality 

requirements

Use to request waiver of the confidentiality 

requirements for any motion, petition, response, 

reply, or brief under Fed. Cir. R. 25.1(d)(1).

waive fees Use to request waiver of a required fee under 

Fed. Cir. R. 52. Note: motions for leave to 

proceed in forma pauperis must be filed under 

the event Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma 

Pauperis, which is a restricted-view event.

waive oral argument Use to request that a case be submitted on the 

briefs instead of argued orally.

waive other requirement Use to request waiver of a requirement only if 

no other waive requirement relief applies.

waive requirements of brief 

or appendix

Use to request waiver of a requirement of a 

brief or appendix. Note: If requesting waiver of 

a confidentiality requirement under Fed. Cir. R. 

25.1(d), select the relief waive confidentiality 

requirements.
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Relief Explanation

waive requirements of Rule 

27(f)

Use to request waiver of Fed. Cir. R. 27(f), which 

prohibits the filing of a motion to dismiss or 

remand an appeal if the appellant/petitioner 

has already filed its brief. Note: The relief 

terminate appeal or summary affirmance must 

also be selected if the motion simultaneously 

requests case termination.

withdraw attorney Use to request that principal counsel be 

withdrawn under Fed. Cir. R. 47.3(c). Note: An 

entry of appearance for replacement principal 

counsel should be submitted concurrently using 

its own event.

withdraw document A party that filed a document may use this 

relief to request that the document be 

withdrawn.

withdraw party Use to withdraw a party from the case. This 

relief should not be used instead of dismiss 

appeal pursuant to FRAP 42(b). 
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April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 85 

IX. Document Types

The following is an alphabetical listing of all available document types 

(“document events”), as well as an explanation of when to use each document 

type.

Document Types Explanation

Agreed Statement in Lieu 

of Certified List

Use only if the court has authorized the parties 

to file an agreed statement in lieu of the 

certified list.

Amended Notice of 

Appeal or Petition for 

Review

Use to file an amended notice of appeal or 

petition for review. In appeals from district 

court proceedings, an amended notice of 

appeal must be filed with the district court. Do

not file a courtesy copy with this court.

Bill of Costs Use to file a bill of costs (see Form 24).

Brief/Appendix or Joinder Use this event for all non-confidential briefs, 

appendices, and notices of joinder.

Certificate of Compliance 

– Protective Order 

Use to certify compliance with Fed. Cir. R. 

25.1(c) regarding modification of protective 

orders. The court does not have a separate 

form for this certificate.

Certificate of Compliance 

– Transcript

Use to file a certificate indicating no transcript 

will be ordered in compliance with Fed. R. App. 

P. 10(b)(1). See the Practice Notes to Rule 10 

for more information.

Certificate of Interest Use to file a certificate of interest (see Form 9). 

Refer to Fed. Cir. R. 47.4. If representing 

multiple parties, one combined certificate of 

interest should be filed for all parties. If a 

certificate of interest is included in a filing’s 

required contents, the certificate of interest

must be attached to that document and may 

not be filed separately using this event. The 

notice of related case information must be 

uploaded under its own event and may not be 

included as an attachment in the Certificate of 

Interest event.

Citation of Supplemental 

Authority – FRAP 28(j)

Refer to Fed. R. App. P. 28(j).
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Document Types Explanation

Confidential 

Brief/Appendix or Joinder

Use this event for all confidential briefs, 

appendices, and notices of joinder. PDFs 

uploaded using this event will not be available 

for viewing; you must serve the parties by an 

alternative method. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3).

Corrected Certificate of 

Service

Use to correct an incorrect proof of service 

attached to a filing or to identify service for a 

filing that failed to include proof of service. This 

event should not be used for an original proof 

of service; an original proof of service must be 

attached to the applicable document.

Docketing Statement Use to file a docketing statement (see Form 26). 

Refer to the court’s Mediation Guidelines and 

Fed. Cir. R. 47.6. 

Entry of Appearance Use to file an entry of appearance for counsel 

pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 47.3 (see Form 8A). If 

representing multiple parties, file one 

combined entry of appearance for all parties 

(unless an attorney is principal counsel for only 

some portion of the represented parties, in 

which case separate entries of appearance

must be filed). Multiple counsel representing 

the same party can submit a single entry of 

appearance form. This event should not be 

used if an unrepresented party is also a 

member of the court’s bar; use the event 

Notice of Unrepresented Person Appearance.

Joint Stipulation of 

Voluntary Dismissal

Use to file a signed dismissal agreement by all 

parties under Fed. R. App. P. 42(b)(1) (see Form 

18). Motions to voluntary dismissal under Fed. R. 

App. P. 42(b) must be filed using the event 

Motion and selecting the relief Dismiss Appeal 

Pursuant to FRAP 42(b).

Letter or Notice Use to file a letter or notice that does not have 

a more specific event. If requesting relief, the 

document must take the form of a motion 

under Fed. R. App. P. 27 and be filed using the 

Motion event; if it does not take the form of a 

motion, the court may not act on or respond to 

the request.
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Document Types Explanation

Memorandum in Lieu of 

Oral Argument

Should the case be submitted on the briefs, use 

this event to submit a memorandum in 

accordance with the court’s notice of 

submission without oral argument.

Motion More than one relief may need to be selected, 

depending on nature of motion.

Motion for Leave to 

Proceed in Forma Pauperis

Use to file a motion for leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis (see Form 6). The document 

filed with this event is restricted and is not 

available to the public.

Notice of Correction Use to file a Notice of Correction to a 

document that appears on the Federal 

Circuit’s docket report. The corresponding 

corrected version of the document must be 

uploaded under its own event and may not be 

included as an attachment in the Notice of 

Correction event.

Notice of Election to

Participate Pursuant to 37 

CFR 1.983

Use to file a Notice of Election to Participate in 

a pending appeal from the U.S. Patent and 

Trademark Office.

Notice of Intent to Use 

Visual Aids

Refer to Fed. Cir. R. 34(c) and the Guide for

Oral Argument.

Notice of Intervention Use only to file a notice of intervention 

authorized by statute (see Fed. R. App. P. 

15(d)). A motion for leave to intervene must be 

filed using the event Motion instead if 

intervention is not authorized by statute.

Notice of Joinder to 

Document

Use when joining in another party’s document. 

Do not use for joinders to briefs (use 

Brief/Appendix or Joinder instead).

Notice of Objection to the 

Caption

Use to request modification of the official 

caption only if there are clear errors in the 

caption (e.g., misspelling, incorrect 

designation). Any non-typographical or 

otherwise substantive changes (e.g., missing 

party, party name change, or party 

substitution) must be requested through a 

motion.

Notice of Physical Filing –

FCR 25(c)(1)(B)

Refer to Fed. Cir. R. 25(c)(1)(B). This event may 

only be used for filings permitted by this rule.
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Document Types Explanation

Notice of Related Case 

Information

Use to file a notice of related case information 

(see Form 9A) only if required by Fed. Cir. R. 

47.5(b).

Notice of Unrepresented 

Person Appearance

Use to file a notice of unrepresented person 

appearance pursuant to Fed. Cir. R. 47.3 (see

Form 8B).

Notice Regarding 

Bankruptcy

Use only to notify the court of bankruptcy 

proceedings.

Notice Regarding Pending 

FRAP 4(a)(4)(A) Motions

Refer to Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(4)(A) and the 

Practice Notes to Rule 4.

Other Document Use only when no other event applies. If there 

is uncertainty as to whether a different event 

should apply, please contact the Clerk’s 

Office. 

Pay Docketing Fee If the fee was not paid when the case was 

submitted, use this event to pay the docketing 

fee after the case is opened.

Petition Refer to Fed. Cir. R. 35, 40. Use this event only 

for filing petitions for panel or en banc 

rehearing or petitions for en banc hearing.

Reply Use to reply to a Response/Opposition, or to 

reply to another reply if granted leave. If filing 

a reply brief, use the event Brief/Appendix or 

Joinder.

Response to Court Use when responding to the court (e.g., show 

cause order).

Response to Notice of Oral 

Argument

Use to upload a completed Response to 

Notice of Oral Argument (Form 33). See Fed. 

Cir. R. 34(e)(1).

Response to Notice to 

Advise of Scheduling 

Conflicts

Use to notify the court of conflicts with potential 

argument dates. See Fed. Cir. R. 34(d)(2) and 

Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling 

Conflicts (Form 32).

Response/Opposition Use to respond to a document not covered by 

another response/opposition event, or to file an 

objection to a bill of costs. If filing a response 

brief, use the event Brief/Appendix or Joinder.
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 89 

Document Types Explanation

Response/Opposition with 

Incorporated Motion 

Use when filing a motion as part of a 

response/opposition. The title of the document 

must reflect the incorporation of the motion. 

This event will allow the user to select the 

requested relief(s).

Sealed/Confidential 

Document

Use for any confidential document other than 

a brief or appendix. PDFs uploaded using this 

event will not be available for viewing; you

must serve the parties by an alternative

method. See Fed. Cir. R. 25(e)(3).

Statement Concerning 

Discrimination – FCR 15(c)

Use to file a statement concerning 

discrimination (see Form 10). For Merit System 

Protection Board and arbitrator cases only.. 

See Fed. Cir. R. 15(c).

Status Report Use to file a status report that does not include 

an incorporated motion.

Status Report with 

Incorporated Motion 

Use when filing a motion as part of a status 

report. The title of the document must reflect 

the incorporation of a motion. This event will 

allow the user to select the requested relief(s).

Transcript Purchase Order 

Form

Use to file a transcript purchase order form (see

Form 22). Note: The transcript purchase order 

form is not required to be filed with this court. 

Refer to Fed. R. App. P. 10(b) for certifying 

compliance with transcript requirements. See 

also the Practice Notes to Rule 10.

USERRA Notification Form Use this event to file a USERRA notification form 

(see Form 6B). For Merit System Protection 

Board cases only (if applicable).
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 90 

X. Revision Control

Version Summary of Changes Date

2.0 Superseding all prior versions following the 

implementation of NextGen CM/ECF 1.2

03/23/2018

2.1 Clarified the limits on accessing confidential or sealed 

documents through the Notice of Docket Activity (§ 

IV.A.17); added new sections on word/line certificate 

of compliance, corrected briefs, and combined 

briefs, (§ IV.E); added new section explaining the 

Clerk’s Office non-compliance procedure (§ IV.K);

updated technical question support options (§ VII.B); 

removed “pro hac vice” as an available relief, 

clarified the use of the correct/supplement and 

extend time to file reliefs, corrected the withdraw 

party relief (§ VIII); changed “pro se” to 

“unrepresented” (throughout).

08/10/2018

2.2 Inserted Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling 

Conflicts (§ IV.G); revised Response to Notice of Oral 

Argument procedure following revision of argument 

notices (§ IV.H); renumbered remaining sections. 

10/22/2018

2.3 Revised briefs filing procedure (§ IV.E) following the 

discontinuation of the brief “tendering” practice

(§ IV.E); revised instructions for the Response to 

Notice of Oral Argument (§ IV.H).

12/01/2018

2.4 Added instructions for Receiving Notifications for 

Cases of Interest (§ II.H); added language regarding

weekend/holiday filing (§ IV.B), brief filing (§ IV.E), 

sealed documents (§ IV.J), document attachment 

handling (new § IV.A.13.f-g), and Document Types list 

(new § IX); added and clarified document 

attachment requirements for motions for leave to file 

(new § IV.A.20, § IV.E.1, § IV.I Events List); clarified 

appendix citation formatting requirements (§ IV.A.2), 

media files in appendices (§ IV.A.8.c), Notice of 

Docket Activity contents (§ IV.A.17.c); electronic 

filing while bar admission is pending (§ IV.C), motion 

consent type requirements (§§ IV.E, F, G, I, J); 

removed Legacy CM/ECF Account requirements 

(§ II.J); moved and expanded Corrected Briefs 

(§ IV.E.3) to a new Corrected Filings section 

(§ IV.A.21); updated documents, events, and 

definitions (§ IV.L, § VIII); and incorporated minor 

wording, various citations and cross-references, 

section renumbered Revision Control and Index, and 

typographical corrections.

10/01/2019
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 91 

Version Summary of Changes Date

2.5 Updated language, cross-references, and form links, 

and inserted new provisions to conform to the July 

2020 amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of 

Practice; deleted non-electronic filing information in 

these procedures now codified in the Rules; added 

information about future authorization for 

unrepresented litigants to file electronically (§ II.A); 

added information about suspension of e-filing 

privileges (§ II.D); clarified language regarding 

updating contact information (§§ II.J; IV.A.1.a); 

expanded section on appendix page numbers, 

references, and Bates numbering (§ IV.A.2); updated 

descriptions for paper copies and documents that 

can and cannot be filed electronically (§ IV.A.6, 7); 

elaborated on redaction expectations (§ IV.A.12) ; 

updated information regarding filing and access to 

confidential materials (§ IV.A.5.a-b; IV.A.12.b); 

aligned proof of service requirements with amended 

rules (§IV.A.5.a;§ IV.A.14); updated signature format 

information (§ IV.A.15); added information about 

timeliness and deadlines (§ IV.A.16); updated and 

consolidated list of events and reliefs and their 

descriptions, including eliminating duplicative listing 

of available document events (§§ IV.E, F, K; VIII); 

updated Clerk’s Office contact information (§ VII.B); 

updated section headers and ordering; reframed 

some language as being applicable to “electronic 

filers” rather than “counsel.”

07/01/2020

3.0 Added requirements regarding unrepresented party 

electronic filing and fee payment (§§ II.A, B, E, G, H; 

III.B; IV.A.5; IV.C; IV.C.1); clarified PACER access fees 

(§ II.B); provided additional clarification in light of July 

1, 2020 Federal Circuit Rule changes (§§ IV.A.1, 2, 4, 

8, 12; VIII); clarified what information appears on the 

court’s notices of docket activity (§ IV.A.14); clarified 

that consent information will no longer appear in the 

docket text for motions (§ IV.F); updated event and 

relief titles (§§ VIII; IX); clarified court’s expectations 

for filings under FRAP 42(b) (§ IX)

10/01/2020

3.1 Added requirements regarding highly sensitive 

material (§§ IV.A.6; IV.F; VIII); Corrected email 

address for unrepresented party filing of new appeals 

or petitions; other non-substantive stylistic changes.

01/03/2022

3.2 Updated language, cross-references, and form links

to align with March 2023 rules amendments; revised

processing time note for Attorney Admissions, E-File 

Registration, and Public Interested Person Registration 

03/01/2023
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 92 

Version Summary of Changes Date

submissions (§ II.F.1, II.F.2, II.H); clarified language 

regarding location of Bates numbering in paper 

copies (§§ IV.A.2.c.vi); clarified Flattening a PDF

(§ IV.A.11.b); clarified Document Type Explanations 

for a Certificate of Interest, Other Document, and 

Statement Concerning Discrimination – FCR 15(c) 

(§ IX); added Document Types Joint Stipulation of 

Voluntary Dismissal and Notice of Related Case 

Information (§ IX); removed Document Type Joint 

Stipulation of Compliance – FCR 33 (§ IV).

3.2.1 Updated filing procedures for Response to Notice to 

Advise of Scheduling Conflicts to account for March 

2023 rules amendments (§ IV.H). 

03/10/2023

3.2.2 Updated requirements for appendix page references 

(§ IV.A.2.b). 

04/18/2023
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 93

XI. Index

Account Assistance................................................................................................................. 7

Account Maintenance ....................................................................................................27, 33

Account Registration ..........................................................................................................77

Account Security.............................................................................................................6, 33

Contact Information.........................................................................................27, 33, 74, 77

Government Counsel .........................................................................................................27

Additional Time at Oral Argument........................................................................................78

After-Hours Emergencies......................................................................See Emergency Filings

Appendix................................................................................................ See Document Types

Appendix Pages .........................................................................................................34, 35, 37

Bates Numbering...............................................................................................34, 35, 36, 37

Formatting................................................................................................................34, 36, 37

References...........................................................................................................................34

Attorney Registration........................................................................................4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 54

Bar Admission................................................................................................................7, 12, 24

Attorney Registration ............................................... See Attorney Registration, THIS INDEX

Bar History Report ................................................................................................................73

Certificate of Good Standing ............................................................................................14

Government Counsel ...........................................................................................4, 8, 11, 14

Bates Numbering....................................................................................See Appendix Pages

Briefs........................................................................................................ See Document Types

Briefs Search.................................................................................................See Reports Menu

Case Record...........................................................................................................................38

Combined Petition for Rehearing Petition........................................... See Document Types

Confidential or Sealed Documents..............................................38, 39, 44, 47, 58, 68, 79, 89

Appendix .......................................................................................................................58, 86

Briefs ...............................................................................................................................58, 86

Non-Confidential Version ...................................................................................................68
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 94

Court Calendar............................................................................................See Reports Menu

Court Opinions.............................................................................................See Reports Menu

Deadlines ............................................................................................................See Timeliness

Docket View............................................................................................................................71

Document Attachments

Limitations on the Number of.............................................................................................43

Renaming ............................................................................................................................43

Document Formatting........................................................................ 11, 15, 22, 34, 38, 39, 42

Document Requests

Case Records......................................................................................................................74

Copy Requests ....................................................................................................................74

Document Fees.............................................................................................................31, 74

Document Types.....................................................................................................................85

1292(b) Petition....................................................................................................................55

Agency Petition...................................................................................................................55

Agreed Statement in Lieu of Certified List.........................................................................85

Amended Notice of Appeal or Petition for Review .........................................................85

Amicus Brief .............................................................................................................57, 58, 80

Appendix ......................................................................................... 34, 37, 57, 58, 85, 87, 88

Bill of Costs ...........................................................................................................................85

Briefs .............................................................................................................57, 58, 85, 87, 88

Certificate of Compliance – Protective Order .................................................................85

Certificate of Compliance – Transcript .............................................................................85

Certificate of Interest ..........................................................................................................85

Citation of Supplemental Authority – FRAP 28(j)...............................................................85

Combined Petition for Panel and En Banc Rehearing ....................................................67

Corrected Certificate of Service .......................................................................................86

Corrected Filings..................................................................................................................48

Cross-Appeal Briefs .............................................................................................................58

Docketing Statement..........................................................................................................86

Entry of Appearance ....................................................................................................27, 86

Letter or Notice from Party .................................................................................................86
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 95

Memorandum in Lieu of Oral Argument...........................................................................87

Motions............................................................................................ See Motions, THIS INDEX

New Case ...................................................................................31, 55, 56, 57, 73, 81, 82, 83

Notice of Correction...........................................................................................................87

Notice of Election to Participate Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.983 .............................................87

Notice of Intent to Use Visual Aids/Physical Exhibits at Argument ..................................87

Notice of Intervention – 35 USC 143...................................................................................87

Notice of Joinder to Briefs.................................................................................57, 85, 87, 88

Notice of Joinder to Document.........................................................................................87

Notice of Objection to the Caption..................................................................................87

Notice of Physical Filing – FCR 25(c)(1)(B)...................................................................39, 87

Notice Regarding Bankruptcy ...........................................................................................88

Notice Regarding Pending District Court Motions – FRAP 4(a)(4)(A)..............................88

Other Document.................................................................................................................88

Other Documents................................................................................................................69

Pay Docketing Fee..............................................................................................................88

Petition for En Banc Hearing.........................................................................................67, 88

Petition for En Banc Rehearing ....................................................................................67, 88

Petition for Other Miscellaneous Writ...........................................................................55, 56

Petition for Panel Rehearing...................................................................................67, 79, 88

Petition for Writ of Mandamus......................................................................................55, 56

Reply.........................................................................................................................58, 67, 88

Response to Court...............................................................................................................88

Response to Notice of Oral Argument Order .............................................................66, 88

Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling Conflicts..............................................64, 88

Response/Opposition .......................................................................................60, 67, 88, 89

Rule 8/18 Motion ...........................................................................................................56, 82

Statement Concerning Discrimination – FCR 15(c)..........................................................89

Status Report..................................................................................................................60, 89

Stay Pending Appeal..........................................................................................................82

Transcript Purchase Order Form.........................................................................................89

USERRA Notification Form ...................................................................................................89
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 96

Writ of Mandamus...............................................................................................................56

Electronic Appendix Material................................................................................................40

Emergency Filings...................................................................................................................39

Motions...........................................................................................................................56, 57

Writs ......................................................................................................................................56

En Banc Hearing, Petition for ................................................................ See Document Types

En Banc Rehearing, Petition for............................................................ See Document Types

Expedite........................................................................................... See Motions, See Motions

Extend Time............................................................................................................See Motions

File Size Limitation..............................................................................................................40, 42

Filer Assistance

Account Maintenance.....................................................................................27, 33, 76, 77

Account Registration ..........................................................................................................77

Filing Questions....................................................................................................................77

Procedural Questions..........................................................................................................77

Technical Questions............................................................................................................77

Filing Authorization..................................................................................................................33

Filing Documents Procedure..................................................................................................50

Filing Fee..........................................................................................................See Paying Fees

Filing Menu

Docket Text...................................................................................... 53, 59, 61, 62, 64, 67, 68

Final Review..................................................................................... 53, 59, 61, 63, 64, 67, 68

General................................................................................................................................50

Party Filer.....................................................................................51, 56, 58, 60, 62, 63, 67, 68

Related Entries.....................................................................................................................53

Service Date ...............................................................................52, 56, 58, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68

Type of Document .......................................................................... 51, 53, 56, 57, 60, 67, 68

Upload Documents......................................................................... 53, 59, 61, 63, 64, 67, 68

Filing on Non-Business Days....................................................................................................41

Injunction/Stay .......................................................................See Emergency Filings; Motions

Leave to File

Document Requirements .......................................................................................48, 57, 61
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 97

Specific Motion Types........................................................................................See Motions

Legacy CM/ECF Account......................................................................................................29

Mandate ................................................................................................................See Motions

Media and Press Accounts................................................................................................7, 22

Metadata................................................................................................................................45

Miscellaneous Writ, Petition for ............................................................. See Document Types

Motions

Available Reliefs.............................................................................. 56, 60, 61, 62, 63, 78, 79

General.......................................................................................57, 60, 61, 76, 78, 83, 86, 87

Motion for Additional Time at Oral Argument ..................................................................78

Motion for Attorney Fees and Expenses......................................................................78, 79

Motion for EAJA Attorney Fees and Expenses............................................................78, 79

Motion for In Camera Proceedings...................................................................................79

Motion for Leave to File a Response/Reply.......................................................................80

Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief on En Banc or Rehearing Petition........................80

Motion for Leave to File an Amicus Curiae Brief...............................................................80

Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Appendix............................................................80

Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Brief .....................................................................80

Motion for Leave to Intervene ...........................................................................................80

Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis..................................................80, 83, 87

Motion for Limited Remand................................................................................................81

Motion for Other Relief........................................................................................................81

Motion for Summary Affirmance..................................................................................82, 83

Motion for Temporary Injunction Pending Appeal...........................................................83

Motion Incorporated into Another Filing.....................................................................60, 89

Motion to Allow Argument .................................................................................................78

Motion to Allow Costs .........................................................................................................78

Motion to Clarify..................................................................................................................78

Motion to Consolidate Appeals.........................................................................................78

Motion to Continue Stay.....................................................................................................78

Motion to Correct Filing ................................................................................................61, 64

Motion to Correct/Supplement .........................................................................................78
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 98

Motion to Deconsolidate Appeals ....................................................................................78

Motion to Dismiss Appeal Pursuant to FRAP 42(B) ................................................78, 83, 84

Motion to Disqualify.............................................................................................................78

Motion to Expedite Briefing ..........................................................................................79, 82

Motion to Expedite Hearing ...............................................................................................79

Motion to Expedite Other.......................................................................................61, 64, 79

Motion to Extend Time to File A Response to En Banc or Rehearing Petition.................79

Motion to Extend Time to File Appendix............................................................................79

Motion to Extend Time to File Brief .....................................................................................79

Motion to Extend Time to File Other...................................................................................79

Motion to Extend Time to File Petition For Rehearing.......................................................79

Motion to Extend Time to File Petition For Rehearing/En Banc........................................79

Motion to Hear Case Before the Same Merits Panel........................................................79

Motion to Issue Mandate....................................................................................................80

Motion to Lift Injunction ......................................................................................................81

Motion to Lift Stay................................................................................................................81

Motion to Modify Protective Order....................................................................................81

Motion to Modify the Official Caption ........................................................................81, 82

Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.........................................................................60, 83

Motion to Reactivate Appeal Under FRAP 4(A)(4)...........................................................81

Motion to Recall Mandate.................................................................................................81

Motion to Reconsider Order...............................................................................................81

Motion to Reconsider Order En Banc................................................................................81

Motion to Recuse Judge ....................................................................................................81

Motion to Reissue as Precedential.....................................................................................82

Motion to Reopen Case .....................................................................................................82

Motion to Reschedule Argument ......................................................................................82

Motion to Sanction..............................................................................................................82

Motion to Schedule Oral Argument ..................................................................................82

Motion to Seal Case............................................................................................................82

Motion to Seal Document ..................................................................................................82

Motion to Set Briefing Schedule.........................................................................................82
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 99

Motion to Stay Appeal........................................................................................................82

Motion to Stay Mandate ....................................................................................................82

Motion to Stay Pending Appeal – Rule 8/18 .....................................................................82

Motion to Strike Document.................................................................................................82

Motion to Substitute Party.............................................................................................81, 82

Motion to Supplement Filing.........................................................................................61, 64

Motion to Take Judicial Notice ..........................................................................................83

Motion to Terminate Appeal..................................................................................81, 83, 84

Motion to Transmit Physical Exhibits ...................................................................................83

Motion to Treat As Companion Case................................................................................83

Motion to Unseal .................................................................................................................83

Motion to Vacate................................................................................................................83

Motion to Waive Confidentiality Requirements................................................................83

Motion to Waive Fees .........................................................................................................83

Motion to Waive Oral Argument........................................................................................83

Motion to Waive Other Requirement ................................................................................83

Motion to Waive Requirements of Brief Or Appendix ......................................................83

Motion to Waive Requirements of Rule 27(F)....................................................................84

Motion to Withdraw Attorney.............................................................................................84

Motion to Withdraw Document.........................................................................................84

NextGen CM/ECF .......................................................................................................30, 76, 90

Non-Attorney Registration......................................................................................................16

Non-Compliant Filings ................................................................................................33, 39, 41

Non-Compliance Procedure .............................................................................................69
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 100

Notice for Cases of Interest........................................................................................22, 25, 73

Notice of Appeal....................................................................................................................54

Notice of Docket Activity.......................................................................................................46

Online Resources....................................................................................................................76

Orders and Opinions Search ......................................................................See Reports Menu

Original Documents..............................................................................................41, 44, 45, 86

PACER Account...........................................................................7, 9, 12, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32, 77

PACER Service Center............................................................................ 6, 7, 27, 33, 75, 76, 77

Panel Rehearing, Petition for ................................................................ See Document Types

Paper Copies ........................................................................................................36, 37, 38, 41

Confidential Version............................................................................................................39

Paper Filings ............................................................................................................................39

Paying Fees

Billing Statement..................................................................................................................28

Electronic Payment.............................................................................................4, 28, 31, 54

Fee Schedule.................................................................................................................31, 74

Fee Waiver........................................................................................................................See

Filing Fee, Failure to Pay..........................................................................................55, 56, 57

Filing Fee, General ........................................................................................................54, 88

Filing Fee, Prepayment .................................................................................................55, 56

Miscellaneous Fees .................................................................................................31, 74, 75

Pay.gov....................................................................................................................31, 32, 74

Refunds ................................................................................................................................32

Transaction Error ..................................................................................................................32

Unrepresented Parties.....................................................................................................5, 31

Petition for Review ..................................................................................................................54

Portable Document Format (PDF)

Check PDF Document........................................................................................................73

Conversion to ................................................................................................................41, 43

Flattening.......................................................................................................................14, 42

General....................................................................................................................14, 36, 41

Pagination ...........................................................................................................................42
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 101

Text-Searchable ......................................................................................................42, 43, 73

Public Interested Person Account.........................................................................7, 22, 25, 73

Media and Press Accounts.............................................................................................7, 22

Reconsider .............................................................................................................See Motions

Redaction

Confidential or Sealed Document ........................................................................38, 44, 79

Metadata ............................................................................................................................45

Personal Identifiers...............................................................................................................45

Requirements.................................................................................................................44, 45

Reports Menu

Briefs .....................................................................................................................................72

Calendar..............................................................................................................................71

Case Search ........................................................................................................................70

General................................................................................................................................70

Opinions...............................................................................................................................71

Orders/Judgments ..............................................................................................................72

PACER Reports.....................................................................................................................70

Payment History Report ......................................................................................................70

Service List............................................................................................................................72

Response to Notice of Oral Argument Order...................................... See Document Types

Response to Notice to Advise of Scheduling Conflicts ...................... See Document Types

Response/Oppositions........................................................................... See Document Types

Revision Control ......................................................................................................................90

Sanction .................................................................................................................See Motions

Service of Documents

Certificate/Proof of Service........................................................................ 45, 46, 55, 56, 57

Electronic Service................................................................................................................46

Notice of Docket Activity ...................................................................................................46

Service List Report ....................................................................................See Reports Menu
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Electronic Filing Procedures

CLERK’S OFFICE

April 2023– Version 3.2.2 Page 102

Show PDF Header...................................................................................................................75

Signatures..........................................................................................................................33, 47

Summary of Changes.............................................................................................................90

Technical or System Failure....................................................................................................48

Text-Searchable......................................................... See Portable Document Format (PDF)

Timeliness.................................................................................................................................47

Unrepresented Parties................................................................................................4, 5, 7, 22

Electronic Filing Registration............................................... See Non-Attorney Registration

Notice of Appeal ............................................................................................................5, 54

Paying Fees..................................................................................................See Paying Fees

Petition for Review...........................................................................................................5, 54

Utilities Menu

Bar History Report ................................................................................................................73

General................................................................................................................................73

Submit New Case.......................................................................31, 55, 56, 57, 73, 81, 82, 83

Vaccine Cases........................................................................................................................55

Waiver

Fees ......................................................................................................................................83

Requirements.................................................................................................................83, 84

Web Brower.............................................................................................................................38

Writ of Mandamus, Petition for ............................................................. See Document Types