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FAQs

  • How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?

    The easiest way to identify whether you have an upgraded account is:

    1. Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames with at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account
    2. Log in to Manage My Account and look for "Case Search Status Active."
    3. If you username is 8 characters or more, and you see Case Search Status Active after logging in to Manage My Accounts, you have an upgraded PACER accounts.
  • How do I upgrade my PACER accounts?

    Go to the Upgrade PACER Account page of Manage My Account and complete the upgrade process.

  • What if I do not know my passwords?

    Click here to reset your PACER account password. To recover an old CM/ECF login and password from the WVSD, you must contact the WVSD CM/ECF Help Desk at (304)-347-3111.

    NOTE: When you reset your password, you must enter the email address that is on file at PACER for the process to be successful.

  • What do I do now that WVSD has converted to NextGen and I am e-filer?

    You must link your old e-filing privileges to your new upgraded PACER account.

  • How do I link my old e-filing privileges to my upgraded PACER account in a NextGen court?

    Follow the instructions below to link your e-file and PACER accounts:

    1. Make sure that you are logged out of PACER completely and close your browser.
    2. Open your browser and go to https://ecf.wvsd.uscourts.gov.
    3. Click on the Southern District of West Virginia - Document Filing System hyperlink. At the login screen, enter your upgraded PACER account information.
    4. Click utilities, then click NextGen Release 1.1 Menu Items, then click Link a CM/ECF Account to my PACER Account.
    5. Enter your old WVSD CM/ECF login and password to link your accounts.
    6. You should receive a pop-up message indicating your linking process was successful.
    7. Click on Query, Reports, or Utilities at the top of the page. The links to e-file in Civil and Criminal cases should appear on the top of the page.

    From this point forward, use your upgraded PACER account credentials to log in to file and/or view case information in any NextGen CM/ECF court. If the linking process failed, please try again.

    NOTE: If you are linking for someone else, be sure you know whose accounts you are linking because this process cannot be undone once you click Submit.

  • What do I do if linking my account is not working?

    If the linking process does not work, you must log in with your upgraded PACER account and submit a new e-file request for the court:

    1. Log in to Manage My Account
    2. Click the Maintenance tab
    3. Click Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration

    You will then need to wait for the court to process the request before e-filing privileges are activated.

    To learn more about submitting a new e-file request, review the electronic learning module for the Manage My Account Maintenance tab.

  • What do I do if I never had e-filing privileges in the WVSD, but I need them now?

    You must log in with your upgraded PACER account and submit an e-file request for the court:

    1. Log in to Manage My Account
    2. Click the Maintenance tab
    3. Click Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration

    You will then need to wait for the court to process the request before e-filing privileges are activated.

    To learn more about submitting a new e-file request, review the electronic learning module for the Manage My Account Maintenance tab.

  • Can we continue to share PACER accounts?

    Anyone with the username and password for this account can potentially update information (e.g., password) that could lock out other users who also share the accounts. If you intend to e-file, you are required to have your own PACER account because your PACER account will be linked to your e-filing account.

  • Can my firm combine the billing if we have more than one account?

    Yes. The PACER Service Center offers the PACER Administrative Account (PAA), a consolidated billing and online account management process that allows groups to manage and pay for all charges associated with multiple PACER accounts.

    To register for a PAA, click here. And for more information, you can use the PAA electronic learning module or read the PAA User Manual. You may also review the PAA tab of FAQs.

    Note: This account will not allow you to log in to access case information. It only allows you to manage your billing.

  • What do I do if I am a CJA attorney?

    If you have two PACER accounts, contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 for additional information

  • How do I Add Support Staff Email Address to Receive Notices of Electronic Filing

    https://pacer.uscourts.gov/help/faqs/can-attorneys-support-staff-receive-copy-notice-electronic-filing-nef-and-notice-docket