System Requirements for CM-ECF
To use CM-ECF you will need the following:
- An ECF account
- Instructions for registering can be found on the CM-ECF page under the heading "Registration".
- Internet access
- An active internet connection with a connection speed of at least 56K (dial-up modem).
- A Javascript-enabled web browser
- Suggested browsers include Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari, Netscape Navigator, and Internet Explorer. AOL's version of Netscape Navigator does not work well with CM-ECF.
- Word processing software
- You will need a word processing program to creating documents.
- PDF creation and reader software
- Documents filed in CM-ECF must be submitted as Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. You' will need PDF creation software in order to convert documents to PDF. A search of 'pdf' on the Web will provide you with a list of pdf creation software to consider. PDF creation software basically gives you a PDF print driver which allows you to "print" just about any document type (web page, word processing, spreadsheet, plain text, scanned image, etc.) to PDF. Most PDF creation software must be purchased; the high-end versions include additional features such as the ability to create forms. Corel WordPerfect , Microsoft Word, most scanner software and many specialized bankruptcy petition preparation software packages include the PDF print driver for use in those packages. If you are using specialized bankruptcy petition preparation software, check with the vendor to determine which PDF creation software is compatible with their product.
- You will also need to have Adobe Reader or equivalent software installed in order to view PDF documents. PDF reader software is free and downloadable from most websites.
- A scanner
- If you have paper documents that must be filed electronically, you will need a scanner. Suggested settings for your scanner are as follows:
- For a text document that consists exclusively of clean printed type which have high inherent black and white contrast (e.g., laser-printed or typeset on a white background), set the scanner for a text only, black and white, or bitonal (1-bit) document and scan at 300 - 600 pixels per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi). Scanning at 600 ppi is recommended.
- For a document of poor legibility due to low inherent contrast, staining, or fading (e.g., carbon copies, thermofax, or documents with handwritten annotations or other markings), or for documents which contain halftone illustrations or photographs, set the scanner for a grayscale (8-bit) document and scan at 300-400 ppi (or dpi). Scanning at 400 ppi is recommended.
- For a document which contains color information important to interpretation or content, set your scanner for a color (24-bit) or Red, Green, Blue (RGB) image and scan at 300-400 ppi (or dpi). Scanning at 400 ppi is recommended.
- Please note that a 1-bit (black and white) document scanned at 600 ppi creates a smaller file than an 8-bit (grayscale) document scanned at 400 ppi (1 bit x 600 ppi vs. 8 bits x 400 ppi). For this reason, we ask that you check your scanner settings to make sure you are not scanning black and white documents on the color (24-bit) setting. These recommended settings have been determined to be the optimal settings for extended retention of scanned documents and images
- Also note that the maximum file size for a single pdf document accepted by the CM-ECF electronic filing system is 2.5 MB (that's 2,500 KB). The maximum file size for a main document with separate attachments is approximately 12.5 MB (or 12,500 KB).
- If you have paper documents that must be filed electronically, you will need a scanner. Suggested settings for your scanner are as follows:
- Bankruptcy petition software
- The Clerk's Office does not provide training in the use of bankruptcy petition software nor does the Clerk's Office recommend or endorse any particular product.
| Bankruptcy Petition Software Vendors | |
|---|---|
| Bankruptcy 2008 - New Hope (206) 232-9247 |
Law Disks (516) 741-5740 |
| Bankruptcy Plus (800) 397-8238 |
Law Firm Software (800) 350-8262 |
| EZ Filing (800) 998-2424 |
National Law Forms (877) 543-6767 |
| Best Case Bankruptcy (800) 492-8037 |
Standard Legal (888) 888-7712 |
| Cerenade Inc. (866) 423-7362 |
Thomson West (800) 828-6266, ext. 6120 |
| If you are a bankruptcy software provider/vendor and you would like your company information listed here, send a request to web_ntp [at] nmcourt [dot] fed [dot] us | |