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CM/ECF NextGen

NextGen CM/ECF is LIVE for the District and Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. NextGen simplifies electronic filing by combining your CM/ECF and PACER accounts into a single Central Sign-On account. Through the PACER website, this single Central Sign-On account gives registered filers access to view documents in PACER and electronically file in all NextGen courts in which they have permission to file. Click here to access the PACER website.

CM/ECF Filers: Filing Access for NextGen System

Attorneys must obtain their own PACER account or upgrade an existing individual PACER account. Your PACER account is your login to CM/ECF NextGen, and therefore you MUST have your own individual PACER account. E-filing attorneys are not able to use shared PACER accounts. Please click the PACER link below for more information regarding how to upgrade your existing PACER account or how to register for a new PACER account.

After upgrading or obtaining your PACER account, you must then link your PACER account to your current CM/ECF account, or register for a new filing account if you do not have a current account. Instructions for each of these tasks can be found under the expandable sections below.

Pro se litigants may only get electronic filing access if approved by the judge presiding over their case. If approved, pro se litigants should register for e-filing access following the instructions under the New E-Filing Registration section below.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for the CM/ECF Filer in NextGen System

Multifactor authentication (MFA) will be required for all filers in the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system. Enrollment begins May 11, 2025. Filing users are encouraged to enroll in MFA at their earliest opportunity. Users who do not voluntarily enroll in MFA may be selected to enroll at random beginning in August 2025.

By December 31, 2025, all filing CM/ECF users MUST be enrolled in MFA to maintain filing access in the CM/ECF system. 

The PACER Service Center provides additional information, documentation, and learning aids for MFA here: PACER website (Multifactor Authentication Coming Soon | PACER: Federal Court Records). 

Questions about MFA should be directed to PACER. See the PACER Contact Information link in the Helpful Links section below.

Registering for PACER

Registering for PACER: 

Each attorney/limited user must have his/her own individual PACER account. If you do not have an individual PACER account, you will need to register for a new account through PACER services. Shared PACER accounts are no longer allowed.

Upgrade Your Existing PACER Account

Upgrading Your Existing PACER Account: 

If you have your own individual PACER account created prior to the implementation of CM/ECF NextGen August 11, 2014 (also known as a Legacy account), you must upgrade your account before you can electronically file in NextGen. Click here to view instructions on how to Upgrade your Existing PACER Account.

Linking Your Existing PACER Account

Linking Your Existing PACER Account: 

Prior to filing, your upgraded PACER account must be linked to your CM/ECF filing account. Once your CM/ECF filing account and your PACER account are linked, you will then use your PACER account when filing documents with the court. This may be referred to as your Central Sign-On account. Click here to view instructions on how to Link your Existing PACER Account.

Firm Billing

Firm Billing: 

The PACER Service Center has developed a consolidated billing and online account process for groups to manage and pay for all charges associated with multiple PACER accounts. Click here for information on a PACER Administrative Account (PAA).

New E-Filing Registration

Attorneys who did not have an existing CM/ECF filing account prior to NextGen must register for one through PACER if they wish to file electronically in the NextGen systems. Before full electronic filing privileges can be approved, attorneys must be admitted to practice in the Southern District of Texas or admitted by the granting of a motion to appear pro hac vice in a case before the court.

Pro se litigants may also register for e-filing access if approved by the judge presiding over their case.

To register for e-filing access,

  1. Go to PACER.
  2. Log into Manage My Account.
  3. Select the Maintenance tab.
  4. Select the appropriate registration option:
    • Attorneys select Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration. Attorneys must provide their bar ID information and a case number for verification of admissions status. 
    • Pro se litigants who have been granted e-filing access in their case select Non-Attorney E-File Registration. Pro se litigants must provide the case number and document number where the judge granted e-filing access for verification.

The Manage My Account section is also where attorneys and pro se litigants must add and update their own contact information, including email addresses, whenever they change.

Helpful Links

For any PACER questions please refer to the following links:

For any Southern District of Texas questions please refer to the following links: