CM/ECF
CM/ECF: A free web system for filing and managing cases across U.S. federal courts. Ranked #2 of 22 in Legal E-Filing Software by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for U.S. federal court filers.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forU.S. federal court filers
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Filing status trackingYes
- Founded2001
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Covers federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts
- Creates docket entries and sends email filing notifications
- Includes PACER access, electronic service, and filing activity logs
Where it doesn't
- Court-specific registration and filing procedures vary
- PACER access fees and statutory court filing fees may apply
- Web-only access with no AI features
Our verdict on CM/ECF
CM/ECF, or Case Management/Electronic Case Files, is the U.S. federal Judiciary’s web-based system for electronic filing and case management. It is primarily designed for attorneys, U.S. trustees, and bankruptcy trustees, while some courts also allow bankruptcy claimants and pro se litigants to file. Users can submit pleadings, motions, petitions, and other case documents as PDFs, with the system creating docket entries and updating docket sheets immediately. Its coverage spans U.S. federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
The system’s strongest fit is its connection to the federal court filing process. CM/ECF provides Notice of Electronic Filing notifications by email, electronic service through filing notices for registered ECF users, and a transaction log for reviewing filing activity. Central sign-on access connects PACER and electronic filing, while PACER provides online access to appellate, district, and bankruptcy case files. Pay.gov is also an integration. These capabilities make CM/ECF practical for filers who need filing-status visibility, document storage, and a direct route into federal court records rather than a broader legal practice-management suite.
CM/ECF is free to use as an electronic filing system, with no added electronic filing fee from CM/ECF itself. PACER access fees and statutory court filing fees may apply. Because it is administered through the U.S. federal Judiciary, court-specific availability, registration requirements, filing permissions, and procedures vary by jurisdiction. The web-only system is a strong choice for U.S. federal court filers who need core filing, docket, notification, and service functions. Organizations seeking AI features or a unified system beyond federal court filing should consider a different type of legal software.
Questions about CM/ECF
What does CM/ECF run on? Web. It runs in the cloud.
What does CM/ECF integrate with? 2 integrations: PACER and Pay.gov.
Who is CM/ECF built for? Enterprises (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test CM/ECF in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
CM/ECF pricing
CM/ECF fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Court coverage | U.S. federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts |
| Filing status tracking | Yes |
| Electronic service | Yes |
| Rejection alerts | Not verified |
| Bulk filing | Not verified |
| API access | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Web |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: PACER, Pay.gov |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | uscourts.gov |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
CM/ECF integrations
CM/ECF lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- PACER
- Pay.gov
Alternatives to CM/ECF
- eFileTexas.govFree statewide Texas e-filing with service, tracking, alerts, and file-stamped copies.9.3
- LegalAtomsA broad legal filing platform spanning preparation, submission, service, and clerk workflows.9.0
- FileTimeLow-cost multi-state e-filing with bulk filing, proofs, alerts, and mobile access.8.8
CM/ECF vs the competition
- CM/ECF vs eFileTexas.gov
- CM/ECF vs LegalAtoms
- CM/ECF vs FileTime
- CM/ECF vs InfoTrack
- CM/ECF vs eFileIL
- CM/ECF vs Tyler eFile & Serve
Compare CM/ECF with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
CM/ECF is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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