Getting started as a limited user

Official Procedure Last Change May 2, 2025

Getting started as a limited user

If you only wish to file a Proof of Claim, Amended Claim or Withdrawal of Claim, you can do so online without the need to obtain a user name or password.

To file a proof of claim or amend an existing claim: Use the court's ePOC system. View instructions on filing a claim using ePOC

To file a withdrawal of claim: use the court's eWOC system. View instructions on withdrawing a claim using eWOC

A Limited User is a creditor or other party in interest given limited rights to file certain documents electronically. Individuals proceeding without an attorney (pro se) are prohibited from filing documents electronically (except for new petitions filed using the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system) and are not considered Limited Users.

Limited User registration provides several advantages over mailing documents to the court:

File your documents at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere that has internet access;
Easier to get a document filed before a deadline;
No mailing costs;
Receive immediate confirmation that your document has been filed successfully.

Note: Becoming a limited user and filing a document in a case will NOT automatically enable you to receive electronic notices of documents other people file in the case or orders from the Court not directly related to your document(s). You can sign up to receive notices in any case by following these instructions.

How to sign up

(1) Ensure that your computer system meets the minimum requirements

(2) Sign up for a PACER account

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records and allows you to view case dockets and documents online. There is a small charge for each case or document that you view; however, there is no charge for filing a document yourself.

To sign up for a PACER account, go to the PACER sign up page.

(3) Sign up for CM/ECF access

CM/ECF stands for Case Management/Electronic Case Filing and is the system used by the court to allow documents to be filed electronically. Once you have signed up, you will access CM/ECF from within PACER.

To sign up for a CM/ECF login, visit the INSB CM/ECF Registration Page.

(4) Familiarize yourself with the Administrative Procedures Manual

The Administrative Procedures Manual contains important information on the correct way to prepare and file documents. For example, it outlines the correct format that should be used for electronic signatures (used when a document is converted directly to PDF without printing it out and scanning it).

Getting started as a limited user

Getting started as a limited user

Limited User registration provides several advantages over mailing documents to the court:

File your documents at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere that has internet access;

Easier to get a document filed before a deadline;

No mailing costs;

Receive immediate confirmation that your document has been filed successfully.

How to sign up

(1) Ensure that your computer system meets the minimum requirements

(2) Sign up for a PACER account

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records and allows you to view case dockets and documents online. There is a small charge for each case or document that you view; however, there is no charge for filing a document yourself.

To sign up for a PACER account, go to the PACER sign up page.

(3) Sign up for CM/ECF access

CM/ECF stands for Case Management/Electronic Case Filing and is the system used by the court to allow documents to be filed electronically. Once you have signed up, you will access CM/ECF from within PACER.

To sign up for a CM/ECF login, visit the INSB CM/ECF Registration Page.

(4) Familiarize yourself with the Administrative Procedures Manual

The Administrative Procedures Manual contains important information on the correct way to prepare and file documents. For example, it outlines the correct format that should be used for electronic signatures (used when a document is converted directly to PDF without printing it out and scanning it).

(5) Follow individual step-by-step instructions in the Procedures Manual for filing your document

Instructions for filing a Proof of Claim

Instructions for other document types that a limited user can file