Reference: Filing
Court filing and CM/ECF
A finished draft still has to be filed, in the right format, through the right system. This is a reference to CM/ECF and state e-filing, the format rules briefs have to meet, and how a court-ready draft moves from OurFirm.ai to the docket.
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Court filing means getting a finished document into the right system and format, whether that is federal CM/ECF or a state system like NYSCEF.
At a glance
- CM/ECF for federal courts, NYSCEF and others for state courts
- PDF format, font, margin, and length requirements per court
- Export court-ready work product from OurFirm.ai to file
Updated July 2026
E-filing systems
Where filings actually go.
CM/ECF (federal)
Case Management and Electronic Case Files is the federal courts' e-filing system. Attorneys upload filings through CM/ECF, which dockets them and notifies the parties. Registration and credentials are handled through the federal system.
PACER (federal access)
Public Access to Court Electronic Records is the access side of the federal system. It is how litigators and the public retrieve dockets and filings, which is also where OurFirm.ai pulls federal docket data.
NYSCEF and state systems
New York State Courts Electronic Filing is New York's e-filing system. Other states run their own systems with their own rules, so the filing mechanics change from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Why it matters
A rejected filing is a missed deadline.
A brief can be right on the law and still bounce: the wrong PDF type, a font the court does not accept, a caption that does not conform, or a length over the limit. The clerk rejects it, and the clock does not care that the substance was sound. On a deadline, a formatting error becomes a substantive problem.
Getting the format right is rule-bound work, exactly what should not eat the last hour before a filing. OurFirm.ai produces court-ready output and hands you a clean export, so the version you upload conforms to the court's requirements the first time.
Format requirements
What a filing has to conform to.
Common formatting requirements for federal filings. Specifics vary by court and by individual judge, so treat this as a general reference and confirm the local rules and any standing order.
| Requirement | Typical federal practice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Text-searchable PDF, often PDF/A | Scanned image-only PDFs may be rejected; text must be selectable |
| Font | 12 to 14 point, standard serif | Some courts specify a family such as Century or Times New Roman |
| Line spacing | Double-spaced body text | Footnotes and block quotes are often single-spaced |
| Margins | One inch on all sides | Confirm the local rule; some courts differ |
| Length | Word or page limits set by rule | FRAP 32 sets federal appellate word limits; district local rules vary |
| Bookmarks and hyperlinks | Often required for exhibits | Many chambers require bookmarked exhibits and linked citations |
| Signature and caption | Conforming caption and signature block | Format follows the local rules and the court's template |
This table is a general reference, not legal advice. Filing and format rules vary by court and by judge and change over time. Always confirm the current local rules, the court's standing orders, and the e-filing system's requirements before you file.
How it works
From an OurFirm.ai draft to a filed document.
Produce the court-ready draft
Draft in OurFirm.ai with jurisdiction-specific citation and formatting rules applied and every citation verified before you review.
Export to Word or PDF
Export the finished work product to Word for final edits or to PDF for filing, keeping your formatting intact.
Apply the court's format requirements
Conform the file to the specific court's rules: text-searchable PDF, required fonts and margins, length limits, and bookmarked exhibits where required.
File through CM/ECF or the state system
Upload through CM/ECF for federal matters or the applicable state system, such as NYSCEF, following that system's steps for the filing type.
Confirm acceptance
Check the notice of electronic filing and the docket entry to confirm the filing was accepted and served on the parties.
FAQ
Common questions.
What is CM/ECF?
CM/ECF stands for Case Management and Electronic Case Files. It is the federal judiciary's electronic filing system, where attorneys file documents and the court dockets them and notifies the parties. The public retrieves those filings through PACER, the access side of the same system.
What is the difference between CM/ECF and PACER?
CM/ECF is the filing side, used by attorneys to submit documents to federal courts. PACER, Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is the access side, used to retrieve dockets and filings. OurFirm.ai pulls federal docket data from PACER for research and docket search.
What format do court filings have to be in?
Federal filings are typically text-searchable PDFs, often PDF/A, with standard fonts, one-inch margins, double-spaced body text, and length limits set by rule. Requirements vary by court and by judge, so always confirm the current local rules and any standing order before filing.
Does OurFirm.ai file documents for me?
OurFirm.ai produces the court-ready draft with jurisdiction rules applied and citations verified, then exports it to Word or PDF. You conform it to the specific court's format requirements and file it through CM/ECF or the applicable state system, such as NYSCEF.
How do state e-filing systems differ from CM/ECF?
State courts run their own systems, such as New York's NYSCEF, each with its own registration, filing steps, and format rules. CM/ECF applies to federal courts. The document itself must also follow the citation and formatting rules of the specific court, which the court rules reference covers.
Keep reading
Related on OurFirm.ai.
From draft to filed, without the reformatting.
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