The Query function in CM/ECF provides a variety of inquiry options for specific cases, including attorney, party, judge, associated cases, and notice of filing information as well as printing capabilities. In addition to entering your CM/ECF login and password, you will be prompted to enter your PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) login and password. A PACER login and password will be required any time you access queries and reports. If you have not done so already, you must register with the PACER Service Center to be given a login and password. One can restrict activity by date or document or by displaying most recent activity first to reduce PACER costs.
These instructions assume you have already accessed and logged into CM/ECF (see How to Access CM/ECF).
How to QUERY
Click [Query]
If you are not already logged into PACER you will be prompted to enter your PACER login and password.
Enter your PACER assigned Login and Password (these fields are case sensitive).
Enter the Client Code (optional). This field is used for billing by PACER users. The data will be included in PACER billing reports.
NOTE: If you click in the Make this my default PACER login box, your login will automatically appear each time you attempt to access PACER. If you click on the [Reset] button, all entries will be cleared. To change the client code within a session, go to Change Client Code under the [Utilities] Menu.
Click [Login]
The Query Search Clues selection screen displays. A search can be performed using one or more of the following "search clues":
Case Number
Party Name
Social Security Number
Tax Identification Number
To Search by Case Number:
Click in the Case Number field and enter the complete case number in the format yy-nnnn (ex. 01-1234)
Click [Run Query]
The Query Menu Options screen displays
Click on the desired hyperlink (see Query Menu Options Guide below for more information on the available hyperlinks)
To Search by Name:
Leave the Case Number field blank
Click in the Last Name, First Name and/or Middle Name fields and enter the name
NOTE: You must enter a minimum of two letters of the last name for a name search. You can narrow your search down by completing the First Name, Middle Name, and Social Security fields.
NOTE: If searching for a business name, enter the name in the Last Name field
To select a specific party type "search clue":
Click the down arrow next to "Type" to display a list of party types
Click to select the correct party type
Click [Run Query]
The Select a Person screen displays with the person's name as a hypertext link
Click on the appropriate name hypertext link
The Query Menu Options screen displays
Click on the desired hyperlink (see Query Menu Options Guide below for more information on the available hyperlinks)
To perform another search, click [Query]
Alias - Displays all aliases associated with the debtor(s)
Associated Cases - Displays cases related to the case (i.e. Adversaries)
Attorney - Displays attorney(s) associated with the case
Case Summary - Displays a summary of case information to include: file, discharge, confirmation hearing, or dismissed dates; debtor and attorney names; and other information
Creditor - Displays the creditors in the case
Deadline/Schedule - Displays a list of deadlines and hearings scheduled in case
Docket Report - Displays the case docket. Prints case docket. Has multiple sorting criteria, to include by File Date or Entered on Docket Date
Filers - Displays a list of parties who have filed in the case
History/Documents - Displays a list of events used to file documents with the option of including all events, only events with documents, and/or docket text.
Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing - Displays a Notice of Electronic Case Filing with date, time, and court seal. This notice can be printed.
Party - Displays all parties associated with the case
Related Transactions - Displays a transaction with a list of all transactions to which it is related
Status - Displays the status of pending events
Trustee - Displays the trustee assigned to the case
Updated: April 8, 2003