ACMS - Appellate Case Management System

ACMS is the Appellate Case Management System. It’s the online filing system for the federal courts.

System Requirements

You can use any word processing software that lets you save a document as a searchable PDF (like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.)

ACMS works with these browsers:

• Microsoft Edge

• Google Chrome

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

ACMS does not work with Internet Explorer, Opera or AOL browsers.

Make sure your email account has at least 100MB of storage to receive court emails.

Add acms@ca9.fedcourts.us to your safe sender list and allow emails from the ca9.uscourts.gov domain.

How to Log in and File

To file documents, you need to log into ACMS using your PACER account.

Already registered to file in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit? If so, you don’t need to do anything else. Simply go to ACMS for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and log in.

Not registered yet? Use the PACER Registration Wizard to sign up for e-filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Relevant Rules and Orders

• Circuit Rule 25-5 explains the general rules for electronic filing.

• Administrative Order Regarding Appellate Case Management System (ACMS) (PDF) gives more information about ACMS

Need Help?

First, check the PACER Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you still have questions and can’t find the answer here, or if you need help with a case in ACMS, submit your request here.
We will respond during court business hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.