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Multifactor Authentication

On May 11, 2025, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) began implementing Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to enhance system security for Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) and Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). 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 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. 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. Currently, users are allowed to bypass the prompts to enroll in MFA up to three times, after which they will be required to setup MFA. The court strongly encourages users to enroll in MFA before the system requires it to avoid access issues. 

MFA will also affect any third-party software used for filing. It is important that users contact their software provider as soon as possible to avoid any disruption in their business processes.

If you have any questions, please contact the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or (800) 676-6856. The PACER Service Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM Central to 6:00 PM Central.  The following reference materials are provided by the AO. Please continue to check the PACER website for more updates and additional information on MFA. 

  • MFA Tips and Resources: Suggestions from the AO to assist users through the MFA process, as well as links to the documentation.
  • Adding and Deleting Authentication Applications: The MFA enrollment process, and how to add or delete an authentication application. NOTE: users can add up to five authentication apps to their account, meaning up to four other users’ (e.g., paralegal, secretary, third-party software integrations, etc) authentication apps can be enrolled in addition to their own.
  • Adding and Deleting Authentication Backup Codes: The MFA enrollment process using backup codes.
  • How to login once MFA is enabled: The basic login process used once enrolled in MFA, as well as what to do if you do not have access to your MFA method.
  • PACER User Manual: The PACER User Manual has been updated to include the MFA references.

For developers and other specialized users who may need to adjust or test their APIs and/or scripts, please refer to PACER's updated PACER Authentication API User Guide webpage, the PACER QA environment, and/or PACER's Developer Resources webpage.