If you require assistance with your PACER account, please contact the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or 1-800-676-6856.
What to do on or after September 20, 2021:
Users must link their upgraded PACER account to a current CM/ECF account. This step must be completed before you can file documents in NextGen.
Do you know your current CM/ECF login?
For legacy CM/ECF account holders, you will need to know your current CM/ECF login in order to link to your PACER account. If you do not know your login, you can retrieve your username and/or password using the login retrieval page. If you are a new filer in our Court, select one of the other pages in this section that describes the type of filer you are.
CM/ECF login retrieval
Link your legacy CM/ECF account to your individual PACER account
For legacy CM/ECF account holders, once the previous steps have been completed, you will need to link your CM/ECF account to your upgraded PACER account. This is a one-time procedure.
Link your account
NextGen CM/ECF
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts upgraded to the Next Generation of CM/ECF (NextGen) on September 20, 2021.
The NextGen system uses Central Sign-On (CSO) which allows lawyers (e-filers) to use one account across all NextGen courts (appellate, bankruptcy, and district). This means e-filers are able to use one PACER login and password to access all NextGen courts where they have permission to file, as well as access PACER for all courts.
Notices
- REMINDER: Public Notice: USDC-MA IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FILINGS: Ensure necessary electronic filings are made prior to September 17, 2021 (12:00PM EST) (September 15, 2021)
- REMINDER: Public Notice: USDC-MA IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FILINGS: Ensure necessary electronic filings are made prior to September 17, 2021 (12:00PM EST) (September 13, 2021)
- Media Notice: USDC-MA Upgrading to NextGen on September 20, 2021 (September 2, 2021)
- REMINDER: Public Notice: USDC-MA Upgrading to NextGen on September 20, 2021 (August 17, 2021)
- Public Notice: USDC-MA Upgrading to NextGen on September 20, 2021 (July 19, 2021)
NOTE: You must complete the steps below to link your CM/ECF account to your NextGen account.
Preparing for NextGen CM/ECF
Get ready for NextGen CM/ECF
Do you have your own PACER account?
If you do not have a PACER account, you will need to create one to view and/or file documents in CM/ECF. To Register in PACER, follow the steps below. Shared PACER accounts may no longer be used by CM/ECF users.
Instructions to register for a PACER account
Have you upgraded your PACER account?
If you already have your own PACER account but it was created prior to August 11, 2014, you must upgrade it.
Instructions to upgrade your PACER account
Would your firm benefit from a firm billing account (PACER administrative account)?
Firms can set up a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage all their user accounts and have central billing for PACER access fees.
- PACER Administrative Account User Manual
- Register for a Firm Billing Account (PACER Administrative Account)
PACER Account Assistance
Questions regarding your PACER account or any of the steps listed above should be directed to the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or 1-800-676-6856.
NextGen CM/ECF Frequently Asked Questions
Visit NextGen PACER FAQs
Massachusetts NextGen CM/ECF Frequently Asked Questions
When do I link my upgraded PACER account to NextGen for Massachusetts?
On September 20, 2021, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts upgraded to NextGen CM/ECF. You will now be able to link your PACER account to your NextGen CM/ECF account. You must have an upgraded PACER account for linking. Click here for more information on upgrading your PACER account.
How do I link my PACER account to my Massachusetts NextGen CM/ECF account?
Click here to view instructions on how to link your PACER account to your CM/ECF account.
NOTE: You will need to know your current CM/ECF login in order to link to your PACER account. If you do not know your login, click here.
I do not know my current CM/ECF password. What do I do?
To reset your CM/ECF password, click here. You will need to know your current CM/ECF login to link your account to PACER.
I linked my account when the Court of Appeals or another District or Bankruptcy Court converted. Do I have to link my account again?
Yes, you must link your PACER account to your District of Massachusetts Court CM/ECF account before you can file in this Court.
I have a PACER account. Do I need a separate account to file or view documents in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts?
No. NextGen uses a Central Sign-On system where a single PACER login is used across all other NextGen courts. After you link your PACER account to your CM/ECF account, you will be able to log in using your PACER account.
I already created an individual PACER account when another court made the switch to NextGen. Do I need another PACER login for MA?
No, you only need one PACER login. With NextGen Central Sign-On, a single PACER login is used across all other NextGen courts. After you link your PACER account to your CM/ECF account, you will be able to log in using your existing PACER login.
How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?
Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames that are at least 8 characters. You may have upgraded your PACER account recently if you practice before another court that already has migrated to NextGen, such as the First Circuit. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account. Go to www.pacer.gov and click on Manage My Account to upgrade your PACER account. You will see an "Upgrade" button if your account needs to be upgraded. Click here for more information on upgrading your PACER account and determining if your account needs to be upgraded.
My law firm uses a shared PACER account. Can we continue to use that account?
Not for e-filing. Each attorney must have an individual PACER account to use for electronic filing. The law firm can create a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage the billing for all of the individual accounts. See the instructions above on setting up a PACER Administrative Account. Staff members who share a PACER account for read-only access may continue to share an account.
