FAQs


Training/Registration
*How do attorneys register for the system?
Upon completing the court's free training course, attorneys will be provided with a login and password that will allow access to the system. Attorneys have the option of changing their password. This will allow attorneys who practice in different districts to use the same password in each district.
*How do limited creditor filers register for the system?
Limited creditors may file claims, transfers of claim and notices of appearance only. Those limited creditor applicants who have docketed these events in other courts may receive a password by completing the Limited Creditor password application located in the ECF Creditor section of our web site. All others will be required to pass a test. Only original applications are accepted.
*If I have a password for another court, do I have to attend the training?
If you have received ECF classroom training at another Bankruptcy Court, you may request a waiver of our required training. On-line training or training at a District Court does not qualify for a waiver. You must provide the date of your previous training, to allow us to verify it. Please fill out a Password Application and a Waiver Request, available in the Training section of our web site. Only original applications are accepted.
*If I have docketed electronically in another court, do I have to attend the training?
If you have docketed electronically in a Bankruptcy or District Court, you may request a waiver of our required training. Please fill out a Password Application and a Waiver Request, available in the Training section of our web site. Only original applications are accepted. You must print out and attach your Transaction Log to the waiver request. The Transaction Log is located under the ECF Utilities menu option. You will be required to pass a test if your electronic docketing was only at a District court.
*I have attended the training class, may I take it again?
Attorneys and other professionals may take the class more than once. If you currently have a login and password and you hire a new employee(s) who will be working on the ECF system, the court requests that they attend the ECF training before using the system.
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Account Information
*I am changing law firms. Do I need to establish a new login and password?
You do not need to register for an ECF password more than once. However, you must request a new password if you change firms and you must update your address and e-mail information in the Utilities option of the ECF system.
*Can an attorney authorize someone else to use their login/password to file documents?

Yes, but only within the same law firm. The court recommends that access to the login and password be very limited. An attorney accepts full responsibility for all work generated on the system utilizing his/her login and password. Please be aware of one exception: The name of the debtor's attorney must match the login and password of the electronic filer of a petition.

*My e-mail address has changed. How do I update my account information?

Account holders must keep their e-mail address(es) current. To update your e-mail address(es), access the ECF system with your ECF Login and Password. Go to the Utilities menu and click on Maintain Your ECF Account. Select E-Mail Information. Enter your new e-mail address(es). Select Return to Account Screen. Select Submit until you receive an acknowledgment of the update.
Please note: Your e-mail account must be configured correctly and have enough space available to accept e-mails sent by the court. The court cannot respond to automated spam blocking requests for validation of our e-mail address(es). Notice of Electronic Filing and other court generated e-mails returned to the court may result in the disabling of your ECF privileges.

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HelpDesk

*Does the court have a HelpDesk?
Yes, telephone access is available between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Calls may be directed to either the Central Islip or Brooklyn office. The number in Central Islip is (631) 712-6200, and press six. The number in Brooklyn is 347-394-1700, and press 6.
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Filing (general)
*What’s the difference between an ECF case and a non-ECF case?
ECF became the primary method for filing documents with the court in Chapter 11 cases and associated adversary proceedings commenced as of April 1, 2002, and for all other cases and associated proceedings commenced as of January 1, 2003. The first ECF Chapter 11 case in Central Islip was case no. 02-82151; in Brooklyn, the first ECF Chapter 11 case was case no. 02-14048. All cases prior to these dates require documents to be filed on paper.
*Is there any way for pro se filers or attorneys without Internet access to file documents?
Yes. An attorney with a computer (Windows or Macintosh) that can save documents in PDF (portable document format) can save the documents on a computer diskette or CD-Rom and file either with the court. The system also can accept paper filings from pro se filers. In such instances, the court would convert the paper to electronic format by scanning, and then add the scanned image into the ECF system. The court does not accept paper filings from attorneys in any ECF case.
*Will docket entries be identified as to who entered them?
Yes, all attorney entries are identified by the name of the person that logged in and submitted the entry. At the end of each attorney entry, the filer will be listed as (last name, first name).
*Is there a limit to the size of a document that can be filed?
The limit is 2 megabytes (2000k). If you have a document larger than 2 megabytes, you will not be able to upload that document to the system. You must separate the document into files that are less than 2 megabytes. The file size limit applies to each document or attachment, not to all of the documents combined in one filing.
*If I file electronically, what are my responsibilities regarding the original document?
Filers must maintain the original document for two years after the entry of a final order terminating the case or proceeding to which the document relates.
* How do I file a multi-part motion?
Separate forms of relief are displayed in a drop-down window. Use the control key and the mouse to select all applicable forms of relief from the list. The system then processes each of the motion parts, one at a time, leading the filer through the steps necessary to complete each part.
* What should I do if the ECF system is not available?
If you are trying to access ECF and cannot get in, please contact our ECF HelpDesk immediately to report the problem. It is important to note the date, exact time of the day and nature of the problem. The clerk's office maintains a log of ECF downtime. Deeming the filing of a document or paper to be timely under such circumstances will be a judicial function of the court. If you wish, you may file the document with the court on disk.
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Case Filing/Software Providers
* What should I do if I want to file multiple cases?
Please be aware that if you are filing multiple cases electronically, you may not get consecutive case numbers, since other parties may be filing cases simultaneously into the system. Your best opportunity to receive consecutive case numbers is to file before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m., when activity is limited.
*How is the list of creditors submitted?
The debtor's attorney or court staff loads the creditor list using the "Creditor Maintenance" option on the "Bankruptcy Events" menu. When filing over the Internet and not using automatic case upload software, attorneys must proceed to the Creditor Maintenance category to upload creditors after opening a bankruptcy case. If additional creditors are added through amended schedules, attorneys are to submit the additional creditors on disk in .txt format, and the creditors would then be added to the case by the court.
*Are there software programs that enable filers to create petitions?

Following is a list of bankruptcy software providers (alphabetical by product name). A number of vendors have implemented changes to their programs which allow you to automatically file bankruptcy cases without having to navigate the ECF screens. It is performed with the push of one button. Filers who have used this feature report a huge savings in the time it takes to file cases. Please note that by making this information available, the court is not endorsing or recommending any product.
Bankruptcy 2007
Bankruptcy Case Software (7, 11, 13)
Bankruptcy Plus
Blumberg
Best Case Bankruptcy
Chap 7,13
Collier Top Form
E Filing Portal
EZ Filing
Forms Workflow
LawForms Bankruptcy Case Software
Legal Pro
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Fees

*How does the court handle fee payments?
As part of the registration process, an attorney affirms that they have a valid credit card.
Once the fee related filing is complete, filers will receive a pop-up window and they will enter their credit card number and expiration date to pay the fee. The credit card company would then approve the transaction and immediately post the charge to the attorney's account.
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Signatures
*How do I sign a document if I file electronically?
When filing electronically or on disk, use the mark s/[attorney name] in place of the actual signature. Please ensure that your filings contain proper signatures. The signature line should appear as follows:
s/John Smith
John Smith
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Service
*What is the rule on service of copies of the petition?
Pursuant to the court's General Order on Revised Electronic Filing Procedures, upon commencement of a case, counsel for the debtor is required to serve a copy of the petition, schedules and statement of affairs upon the United States Trustee, all applicable governmental agencies and the trustee assigned to the case, where applicable. To avoid delays in case processing, it is imperative that the required service be made on a timely basis. The United States Trustee has requested that copies of petitions be served no later than three business days from the date a case is assigned to a judge. Location where petitions should be served.
*What is the rule on service of other documents?
All documents required to be served shall be served in paper form in the manner mandated by the applicable law and rules, however, whenever service is required to be made on a person who has requested, or is deemed to have requested, electronic notice in accordance with FRBP 9036, the service may be made by serving the "Notice of Electronic Filing" generated by the System by hand, facsimile, e-mail or overnight mail. See the ECF General Order, Section II (B) for more specific requirements.
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Chambers Copies
*Must I still provide a chambers copy?
Yes. A paper chambers copy is required to be submitted to the court within 24 hours of any Internet filing except claims. A chambers copy should be submitted along with any disk filing. The top of the document should be annotated "Chambers Copy."
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Exhibits
*What is excerpting of exhibits?
When filing documents that reference exhibits not prepared in electronically produced text, you must scan and electronically file only excerpts of the exhibits that are directly germane to the matter under consideration by the court. In no event shall an exhibit be more than 20 pages. The exhibits must be clearly and prominently identified as excerpts, shall state that the entire document is available to the filing party, and the complete exhibit must be sent to the court (and must be available in the courtroom at any hearing pertaining to the matter).
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Summons Submission
*How do I file a summons after I have docketed a complaint electronically?
Please e-mail the summons (in a word processing format or in PDF template form) to one of the two following addresses based on the office of filing:
Brooklyn: NYEB_BRSummons@nyeb.uscourts.gov
Central Islip: NYEB_CISummons@nyeb.uscourts.gov
Please be advised that the court has a new summons (in PDF template format) available at the forms page. It is mandatory that the Notice of Electronic Filing Procedures instructions be included with the summons. This section will provide information to all parties on how to file documents in an ECF case. The subject line of the e-mail sent to the court must list the adversary case number so that your summons can be processed. Also, please include only one summons per e-mail.
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Appeals
*Are there any special rules in filing Appeals?
In cooperation with the District Court, a process has been established to assure the orderly transmission of records on appeal in ECF cases. Attorneys should be aware that they must be registered to file electronically at the District Court in order to file briefs and other documents once an appeal record has been transmitted, and the appeal docketed. Click here for further information.
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Certifying Documents
*How are documents certified?
Although electronic documents do not have original signatures, the process in which the court certifies a document has not changed. If you require a certified copy of an electronically filed document, the court will print the document from the ECF system and provide certification service at the Intake counter in each office. The long-term solution is to educate persons who presently require certified documents (sheriffs, banks, other courts) to view the documents directly by accessing the court’s database. This will eliminate the possibility of the presentation of fraudulent documents.
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Under Seal Documents
*How do I file documents under seal?
To file documents under seal, please use the Motion category and the relief authorize/direct, and add to the text "documents to be filed under seal." For example, Motion to authorize/direct documents to be filed under seal filed by ------on behalf of ------. Do not attach the document to be placed under a seal as an attachment to your motion. Send the original paper document to the court for processing.
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Best Practices
*I am new to ECF, do you have any pointers or recommended best practices?
ECF best practices for you and your office includes developing an understanding of all ECF, judge and court requirements; attending an ECF training course; obtaining a PACER login and password; developing an understanding of how to navigate your computer desktop, the internet and word processing software including portable document format (PDF); obtaining information about the various bankruptcy software programs available; obtaining a scanner for processing paper documents; having a backup filer designated and trained in case your key filing person is unavailable and developing a plan to manage incoming e-mails from the court, electronic and original paper files in your office and requests for electronic documents from other parties.
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Differences Between EDNY & SDNY
*What are the differences in process between EDNY and SDNY?
Attorneys who practice in both the Eastern District and Southern District Bankruptcy Courts should be aware that the particulars of ECF procedure in the two courts can vary. This chart highlights some of the major differences. See chart.
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Privacy Act
*What are my responsibilities under the Privacy Act of 2003?
Filers are required to electronically submit petitions that contain only the last four digits of individual debtors’ Social Security numbers. Filers are responsible for redacting Social Security numbers; therefore, the court will not make any changes to your filing if you submit all nine digits. Filers are required to retain the original Statement of Social Security Number (National Form No. B21). This form must not be submitted to the court. Please do not attach it as an exhibit to your petition or include it inside the petition. You may obtain Form 21 from our web site. Additional information regarding privacy requirements is available at U.S. Courts web site. Back to Top up_arrow