The Northern District of California requires that all new civil cases be e-filed, except for cases that are filed by unrepresented (“pro se”) plaintiffs. The court has prepared step-by-step training resources to assist attorney e-filers with the case opening process. There are three guides on this page:
Attorney Guide to E-filing New Civil Cases (Complaints / Notices of Removal)
This guide includes common e-filing information relevant to all the attorney case filings which includes adding party/attorney information, uploading documents, and submitting payment.
Attorney Guide to E-filing New Miscellaneous Cases
Effective December 2020, civil miscellaneous (MISC) cases filed by represented parties must be opened using the Attorney Miscellaneous Case Opening procedures in CM/ECF.
Attorney Guide to E-filing New Sealed Cases
Requests for sealing a partial complaint or to seal an entire case will follow the sealed docketing process. Once the case is assigned a Judge, the sealing request will be further reviewed by the Court.
Pro se litigants cannot open cases electronically. See The Court’s Pro Se Handbook for information on how to open a case.
NOTE: An application to proceed in the case anonymously or by pseudonym must be filed with your complaint when filing as a Doe/pseudonym plaintiff, or if your complaint includes Doe/pseudonym defendants.
FAQs
- How do I file a new civil case?
- How do I file a new civil case under seal?
- What is the fee for filing a new civil case?
- What forms are available for filing a new complaint if I'm representing myself?
- I am a pro se litigant filing a new civil case. How do I file my complaint at the Clerk's Office?
- What documents need to be served on opposing counsel when a case is opened?
How do I file a new civil case?
Nearly all new civil cases must be opened (filed) electronically using the court's e-filing system, CM/ECF. Civil miscellaneous (MISC) cases filed by represented parties must be opened using the Attorney Miscellaneous Case Opening procedures in CM/ECF.
Manual filing of new case-opening documents is no longer available, except for cases brought by unrepresented ("pro se") litigants.
Online case filing should not be used to reopen or transfer a case. These actions should be accomplished using the appropriate civil events in ECF within the existing case docket.
For more information, visit E-filing a New Civil Case.
How do I file a new civil case under seal?
Sealed cases must be filed using a special ECF event. See Attorney Case Opening Instructions.
What is the fee for filing a new civil case?
Please see the fee schedule summary page for current fee information.
What forms are available for filing a new complaint if I'm representing myself?
Information on the court's Legal Help Centers as well as forms, handbooks, filing instructions and other resources for individuals representing themselves in federal court is available at Representing Yourself in the United States District Court: Information for Pro Se Litigants.
I am a pro se litigant filing a new civil case. How do I file my complaint at the Clerk's Office?
People filing cases without an attorney should bring their papers for filing to the Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. To avoid lines, it is best to come in the mid-morning, during lunchtime, or 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If it is not possible to come to the Clerk's Office during regular business hours, it is possible to file papers using the drop boxes in the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose courthouses. Access to the drop boxes is limited for the public by the hours during which the building is open. For complete drop box filing information, see Drop Box Filing Procedures.
What documents need to be served on opposing counsel when a case is opened?
You will find information on the Case Opening Documents to be Served on Opposing Counsel page.