CM/ECF Exhibit Filing Guide
CM/ECF (Case Management/Electronic Case Files) is the federal court e-filing system used in all U.S. district courts, bankruptcy courts, and appellate courts. File size limits are set by each court, so check your district's limit before filing.
- CM/ECF is the electronic filing system for Federal Courts.
- The CM/ECF file size limit is Set by each court.
- The primary accepted file format on CM/ECF is PDF only (text-searchable required).
- The official CM/ECF portal is at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/.
- ExhibitPrep applies exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the user’s computer.
- ExhibitPrep includes 29 court-ready stamp templates covering plaintiff, defendant, deposition, and joint exhibit designations.
- ExhibitPrep’s Trial Binder Mode builds exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1–A5), and an auto-generated table of contents.
CM/ECF Requirements
Text-Searchable PDFs
Many courts require text-searchable PDFs, so run OCR on scanned documents before upload; courts may reject image-only PDFs.
FRCP 5.2 Redactions
Personal identifiers must be redacted: Social Security numbers (last 4 only), birth dates (year only), financial accounts (last 4 only), and minor names (initials only).
File Size Limits
Varies by district. Central District of California: 35 MB per PDF. Northern District of Illinois: 35 MB per document or attachment. Check your district local rules for specific limits.
Exhibit Naming
Use descriptive filenames like "Exhibit-1-Contract.pdf" or "PX-001-Email.pdf". Avoid generic names like "Doc1.pdf" or special characters.
Accepted File Formats
- • PDF only (text-searchable required)
- • No password-protected files
- • No embedded audio/video
- • Bookmarks recommended for large exhibits
Common CM/ECF Filing Issues
File Size Exceeded
Split large exhibits into multiple files or compress images. Some districts allow attorneys to email oversized files to the clerk. Check local rules for procedures.
Image-Only PDF Rejected
Run OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on all scanned documents. ExhibitPrep exports text-searchable PDFs automatically.
Password-Protected File Error
Remove all password protection and security restrictions before uploading to CM/ECF. Remove password protection and encryption before filing, and check your court's file requirements.
Redaction Not Permanent
Use proper PDF redaction tools, not black boxes drawn over text. Ensure redacted information is permanently removed from the PDF.
🆕 New: Trial Binder Mode for Multi-Exhibit Filings
Filing multiple exhibits with CM/ECF? Use Trial Binder Mode to create court-ready exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1-A5), and auto-generated table of contents. Great for complex filings with numerous exhibits.
Learn about Trial Binder ModeWhy Use ExhibitPrep for CM/ECF?
ExhibitPrep prepares embedded exhibit labels for your review. Inspect the export against the current CM/ECF requirements before you upload.
Federal Filing Review
Prepare embedded exhibit labels, then compare the exported PDF with the current Federal Rules, local rules, and case-specific orders.
Text-Searchable Output
All stamped PDFs exported from ExhibitPrep are text-searchable and ready for CM/ECF upload.
Batch Processing
Stamp 50+ exhibits at once, maintaining CM/ECF file size requirements for each document.
Redaction-Safe
Add exhibit stamps without affecting properly applied (burned-in) redactions. Note: stamped copies are saved without the original's password protection — re-apply protection after stamping if required.
How to Prepare Exhibits for CM/ECF
Upload exhibits to ExhibitPrep
Drag and drop your PDF documents. ExhibitPrep automatically validates file compatibility.
Select federal court template
Choose plaintiff (numbers) or defendant (letters) marking convention per FRCP standards.
Position and preview stamps
Use drag-and-drop positioning to place stamps. Preview ensures compliance before export.
Download stamped exhibits
Export text-searchable PDFs ready for CM/ECF upload. Files maintain original OCR and metadata.
Upload to CM/ECF via PACER
Log in to PACER, select your case, and upload the stamped exhibits through CM/ECF.
CM/ECF Guides by Practice Area
Practice-specific filing requirements and exhibit tips for CM/ECF.
Frequently Asked Questions about CM/ECF
What is the CM/ECF file size limit?
CM/ECF file size limits vary by district, so check your district's local rules. The Central District of California limits each PDF to 35 MB.
Does CM/ECF require text-searchable PDFs?
Yes. Check your court's CM/ECF requirements for text-searchable PDFs. Image-only PDFs (scanned without OCR) may be rejected. ExhibitPrep exports text-searchable PDFs automatically, preserving any existing OCR from your original documents.
What are FRCP 5.2 redaction requirements?
FRCP 5.2 limits filings to the last four digits of Social Security and financial-account numbers, the year of birth and a minor's initials, unless the court orders otherwise. You must redact Social Security numbers (show last 4 only), birth dates (year only), financial account numbers (last 4 only), and names of minors (initials only). Redactions must be permanent, not just black boxes over text.
Can I file exhibits over 50 MB in federal court?
Yes, but you need special procedures. Most districts allow oversized exhibits to be emailed to the clerk or delivered on physical media (USB drive). Check your district local rules for the oversized document procedure. Some courts also allow splitting large exhibits into multiple files.
What exhibit marking format does CM/ECF require?
CM/ECF follows FRCP 26(a)(3) standards. Plaintiffs typically use numbers (1, 2, 3), and defendants use letters (A, B, C). Some districts have specific local rules for exhibit formatting. Check your district local rules and any case management order for specific requirements.
ExhibitPrep formats documents; it does not provide legal advice or filing approval. Some guidance remains unverified. Citations support only their stated claims and scope. Review the finished files against current court instructions and case orders before filing. Check requirements and the finished PDF before filing.
Official CM/ECF Portal
Access the official CM/ECF system to file your stamped exhibits.
Visit CM/ECF →