Revised: 9/2023 

United States Court of Federal Claims

Vaccine Case Processing Filing Tips

These pointers do not replace a careful review of the Vaccine Rules and the Guidelines for Practice Under the National 

Vaccine Injury Program. See https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/vaccine-programoffice-special-masters . 

Pro Se Cases

Pursuant to the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims (RCFC), Supplement to Appendix B:

• Case initiating documents such as complaints and petitions, along with the required filing fee or application to 

proceed in forma pauperis, must be submitted in paper form in compliance with RCFC 5.5.

• Once a case is opened, the pro se litigant may choose either to continue submitting case filings in paper form 

or to submit case filings electronically via e-mail to ProSe_case_filings@cfc.uscourts.gov. 

• All documents submitted by e-mail must comply with the format and signature requirements of Supplement to 

Appendix B, RCFC, ¶ 9(b).

• Pro se litigants may, if feasible, receive instant notification by e-mail of all electronic filings.

• To receive instant notification of filings by e-mail, a pro se litigant must file an E-Notification Consent Form in 

each active cases before the court. See Forms 15A and 15B, RCFC.

• By filing an E-Notification Consent Form, the pro se litigant consents to receiving notice by e-mail of all 

electronic filings in the named case, pursuant to RCFC 5(b), via the court’s electronic filing system and 

waives service and notice of these filings by first class mail. 

• Because of the restricted nature of vaccine filings, pro se litigants cannot access filings via CM/ECF. Thus, in 

addition to receiving a Notice of Electronic Filing (which will immediately alert the pro se litigant(s) when a 

filing has been made), the pro se litigant(s) will also receive a separate e-mail providing a copy of each filing 

by the court in Portable Document Format (PDF). Additionally, opposing counsel must serve the pro se 

litigant(s) via separate e-mail with a PDF copy of each filing. 

• If a motion for substitution of counsel is filed later in the litigation, and the case is converted from a non-ECF 

pro se case to an ECF case, petitioner(s) will no longer be served with filings via a separate e-mail.

• The court and respondent may file electronically via CM/ECF. 

• Service: (see Supplement to Appendix B, ¶14(b)(2))

o Pro se litigants need not separately service his or her filings on opposing counsel.

o Respondent, however, must attach to each filing, or file within a reasonable time after 

service, a certificate of service pursuant to RCFC 5(d)(1)(B) and Vaccine Rule 17(a)(2). 

Filing Petitions Electronically via CM/ECF (attorneys only)

• When filing a petition electronically via CM/ECF, all documents associated with the petition (e.g.,

cover sheet, notice of filing, exhibit list, exhibits, etc.,) should be filed as attachments to the petition.

o DO NOT file any motions, notices, orother documents as separate entries in the shellcase.

• Once you submit payment of the filing fee in CM/ECF, you must complete the transaction. If you hit the back

button, you will be charged twice.

o If the transaction requires modification, complete the transaction, and then call the Clerk’s Office at

(202) 357-6366 for assistance.

Petitions in General

• A petition must include a certificate of service in accordance with RCFC 5.3 stating that one copy of the 

petition and accompanying documents has been served on the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

See Vaccine Rule 2(e)(1).

• A petition must include a cover sheet completed in its entirety. See Form 2, Cover Sheet at 

https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/forms.

• If a petition is filed on behalf of a minor, the case caption may include only the minor’s initials so as to 

protect the minor’s privacy. See Vaccine Rule 16(b).

• A table of contents listing all exhibits must accompany the petition. See Guidelines at p. 19.

o Thereafter, an updated exhibit list must accompany any additional exhibits filed so as to avoid a 
Revised: 9/2023 

duplicate exhibit number or a skipped number.

• Petitioners must file a completed Pre-Assignment Review (PAR) Questionnaire. The PAR Questionnaire may be 

found at https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/vaccine-sample-filings.

o When filing the PAR Questionnaire electronically, petitioner should either include the questionnaire as an 

attachment to the petition, or, if filed at a later date, file the questionnaire using the CM/ECF event “PAR 

Questionnaire.”

o For more information on the PAR process, please visit the court’s website at 

https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/vaccine-programoffice-special-masters.

PDFs Filed Electronically via CM/ECF (attorneys only)

• For each filing, the main document and each attachment must be no more than 200 MB in size. See Supplement 

to Appendix B, ¶11 (b) and http://www.cofc.uscourts.gov/cmecf-faq#PDF.

o If a scanned PDF is too large, the “Optimize Scanned Image” feature in Adobe Acrobat will 

compress the file. A file size can often be reduced by 50 to 90 percent.

• All PDFs must be text searchable. See Supplement to Appendix E, ⁋ 11(a)(i)(B). 

Filing Medical Records in CM/ECF (attorneys only)

• Accessing large files on a slower network connection can sometimes take an excessive amount of time. We ask 

that attorneys avoid scanned files whenever practicable and utilize PDF optimization methods to keep files as 

small as possible. These optimization methods vary depending on the PDF software used.

• Medical records should be filed electronically in CM/ECF whenever possible. 

o CDs should be avoided as they are often damaged during delivery and deteriorate over time.

o Voluminous medical records may be split into multiple filings to avoid delays or failure (e.g., 

“Medical Records Part 1,” “Medical Records Part 2”).

 Each filing must consist of a main document (e.g., “Notice of Filing Medical Records

Part 1”) and may include multiple attachments, although counsel must endeavor to limit the 

total number of attachments.

 When filing each segment of a voluminous record (e.g., Part 1, Part 2), be sure to use

the proper event (e.g., Medical Records) rather than the generic Notice of Filing.

 Each attachment to themain documentshould be its own separate exhibit and each exhibit

should include a brief description of the subject matter (e.g., “Ex. 1, Birth Certificate,” 

“Ex. 2, Prenatal Records”) within the body of the main document as well as in the 

description text box when uploading to CM/ECF. See Supplement to Appendix B, ¶ 10(b).

o Exhibitsshould be separatelypaginatedandconsecutively numbered (for petitioner) or lettered (for 

respondent) beginning with the next available exhibit number/letter in the case.

Attorney of Record

• If the special master grants a motion to withdraw as attorney of record, the order granting the motion will direct 

the Clerk of Court to convert the case from an ECF case to a non-ECF case and the case will proceed pro se.

o See “Pro Se Cases” section above.

 The former attorney must also serve the motion on the pro se litigant in a manner 

prescribed in RCFC 5(b)(2).

 The Clerk of Court must serve the order granting the motion on both the former 

attorney and the pro se litigant in a manner prescribed in RCFC 5(b)(2).

Filing in CM/ECF

• When filing a document in CM/ECF, select the proper VACCINE event or the vaccine event that most 

closely captures the item you are filing (see attached list of vaccine filing events).

o Selecting the proper event is critical to ensure:

 accurate statisticalreports;

 that proper deadlines are set;and

 that the Clerk’s Office is on notice of action to be taken (e.g., the entry of judgment, the 

assignment of the case to a judge for review, the substitution of counsel).

o If you are uncertain which event to use, please call the Clerk’s Office at (202) 357-6366.

• Notices,statusreports, motions, responses,replies, and/or other pleadings are considered the main 

document. See Guidelines at p. 21.
Revised: 9/2023 

o DO NOT file exhibits (including medical records, medical literature, affidavits, and declarations)as 

the main document; a Notice of Filing should be filed as the main document and exhibits attached to 

the main document.

o The main document must be captioned with the court’s name, the case title and docket number, and 

the name of the assigned Special Master. See Vaccine Rule 16(a).

o The main document must include a signature block of the attorney of record or a member of the bar 

authorized to sign on behalf of the attorney of record. See Vaccine Rule 14(b)(3).

o The signature on the filing and the filing user’s CM/ECF login and password must match (“s/[name 

of filing user]” or “s/[name of attorney of record] by s/[name of filing user].” See Supplement to 

Appendix B, ¶¶ 20–22. 

• Vaccine filings are restricted and can be viewed by case participants and court users only.

Electronic Service

• The transmission of a Notice of Electronic Filing (“NEF”)satisfies the service requirements of Vaccine 

Rule 17(a), except for petitions and pro se cases as noted above.

• Petitions must include a certificate of service in accordance with RCFC 5.3 stating that one copy of the 

petition and accompanying documents has been served on the Secretary of Health and HumanServices. 

See Vaccine Rule 2(e)(1).

Review

• A motion for review of a special master’s decision is filed in the Court of Federal Claims. See Vaccine Rule 

23.

• A petition for review, i.e., an appeal of a decision of a Court of Federal Claims judge, is filed in the Court of

Appeals for the Federal Circuit. See Vaccine Rule 32.

Any questions regarding case management should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at (202) 357-6366. For more 

helpful information, please visit the vaccine page on the court’s website at 

https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/vaccine-programoffice-special-masters . 

PLEASE GO TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR A LIST OF CM/ECF DOCKETING EVENTS
DOCKETING EVENTS

Revised: 9/2023

Vaccine Events

Attorney Complaint/Petition

Attorney Complaint/Petition

Attorney Petition 

Vaccine Events

Vaccine Responses

Amended Respondent’s Report

Reply to Response to Motion

Reply to Response to Supplemental Brief

Respondent’s Report

Respondent’s Report and Proffer

Response (Not a motion)

Response to Cross Motion

Response to Motion

Response to Motion for Review

Response to Motion for Attorney Fees

Response to Order to Show Cause

Response to Supplemental Brie

Sur-Reply

Other Vaccine Documents

15-Week Petitioner Stipulation Status Report 

(Response)

15-Week Respondent Stipulation Status Report

ADR – Notice to Proceed 

Additional Documentation

Affidavit

Amended Petition

Certificate of Service

Cover Sheet

Declaration

Exhibit List

Expert Report

Joint Notice Not to Seek Review

Joint Prehearing Submission

Life Care Plan

Medical Literature

Medical Records

Memorandum

Notice (Other)

Notice to Not to Seek Review

Notice of Additional Authority

Other Vaccine Documents Cont’d

Notice of Appearance 

(DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT ATTORNEY 

ONLY)

Notice Of Change of Address

Notice of Communication of Settlement Office 

Notice of Filing

Notice of Filing Opt-In Consent Form

Notice of Intent

Notice of Intent to File on Portable Storage Disc 

or Drive

Notice of Intent to Redact Transcript

Notice of Intent to Remain in the Program

Notice of Intent to Withdraw Petition

Objection to Exhibit List

Objection to Public Disclosure

Objection to Witness List

PAR Medical History Questionnaire

Petitioners Election to Accept Judgment 

Petitioners Election to File Civil Action

Position on Short Form Petitions

Post Hearing Brief

Prehearing Submissions

Proffer

Satisfaction of Judgment 

Statement Regarding General Order No. 9

Statement of Completion

Status Report

Status Report (JOINT)

Status Report (Multiple Plaintiffs Summary)

Stipulation

Stipulation for Award

Stipulation for Fees

Stipulation of Dismissal

Suggestion of Death

Supplemental Brief

Witness List

Vaccine Motions

Alter or Amend Judgment – Vaccine Rule 36 –

RCFC 59€
Revised: 9/2023 

Vaccine Motions Cont’d

Amend Schedule

Amend/Correct

Appeal in Forma Pauperis

Appear

Application for Access to Protected Material

Appoint Counsel

Appoint Expert

Appoint Guardian/Attorney ad Litem

Attorney Fees

Attorney Fees (UNOPPOSED)

Compel

Consolidate Cases

Continue

Correct Transcript

Cross Motion and Response (Vaccine)

Decision

Disbursement of Funds

Discovery

Dismiss

Dismiss – Vaccine Rule 21(a) – Voluntary

Dismiss – Vaccine Rule 21(b) – Involuntary

Disqualify Counsel

Disqualify Special Master

Exceed Page Limit

Expedite

Extension of Time

Extension of Time to Amend

Extension of Time to File Reply

Extension of Time to File Response

Hearing

Interim Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Interim Attorney’s Fees and Costs 

(UNOPPOSED)

Intervene

Issue Subpoena

Leave to File Complaint

Leave to File out of Time

Lift Stay

Miscellaneous Relief

More Definite Statement

Motion for Judgement on the Record

Oral Argument

Pro Hac Vice Participation

Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Protective Order

Vaccine Motions Cont’d

Publish

Quash

Reassign Case – Rule 40.1(c)

Reconsideration

Reconsideration – Vaccine

Recusal

Redact Decision

Referral for Possible Pro Bono Representation

Referral to ADR

Reimbursement of Fees (PRO SE ONLY)

Relief from Judgment – Vaccine Rule 36 –

RCFC 60

Remand

Reopen Case

Request for Filing Fee Pay.gov Refund

Review

Ruling on the Record

Seal Document

Show Cause

Status Conference

Stay

Strike

Substitute Attorney

Substitute Attorney (Consented)

Substitute Party

Summary Judgment

Supplement

Take Deposition

Vacate

Waive Copy Requirements

Withdraw

Withdraw as Attorney