Posted: May 7, 2025

UPDATE: PACER and CM/ECF Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Beginning May 11, 2025

On May 11, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) will begin implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to enhance system security for Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) and Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Once implemented, all CM/ECF and PACER users will be able to enroll in MFA. Users with filing and all other types of CM/ECF-level access will be required to enroll in MFA, while users with PACER-only access will have the option to enroll.  

MFA provides an added layer of security to accounts by helping protect against cyberattacks that steal passwords, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Users with CM/ECF-level access who do not voluntarily enroll will be randomly selected to do so beginning in August. By the end of 2025, everyone with CM/ECF-level access will be required to use MFA when logging in.

Users with PACER-only access accounts will not be required to have MFA enabled but will have the option to enroll. All other accounts that can file in ECF will be required to enroll.

IMPORTANT : This enrollment may affect public users’ ability to file using third-party software that does not support MFA. Users should ensure MFA is supported by that software before enrolling to avoid any disruption in their business processes.

Please see the announcement on the PACER website for additional information:
https://pacer.uscourts.gov/announcements/2025/05/02/multifactor-authentication-coming-soon