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Pay.gov Instructions

Attorneys may pay certain fees online with a credit card or via bank account debit. The fees that may be paid online are:

  • Filing fee for a new case (only for those attorneys who have the ability to open their own cases).
  • Filing fee for a notice of appeal, subsequent notice of appeal, notice of cross appeal, and notice of interlocutory appeal.
  • Fee for admission pro hac vice, renewal, or certificates of good standing.
  • Criminal Debt (resitution, fines, special assessments).

While filing the related document in CM/ECF, a screen labelled System Message will appear and ask you to input payment information. This is the Pay.gov website.

Once you reach this site, it is strongly recommended you not click the Back button on your browser.  

There are two ways to pay from this website. Pay.gov allows for payment via bank account debit (Option 1) or credit card (Option 2). If paying by credit card, you may use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner’s Club, or Discover.

a) Option 1 - Payment via Bank Account Debit

Your name and the payment amount will be displayed. You will need to do the following:

  • From the drop-down list choose an account type
  • Enter the routing and account numbers
  • Retype the account number for verification
  • You may, but are not required to, enter a check number

Click Continue with ACH Payment.

b) Option 2 - Payment via Credit Card.

  • The name and address of the attorney whose login and password were being used in CM/ECF are automatically imported into the billing information screen. If you are using a firm credit card or one with a different name and/or billing address, you will need to change that information. 
  • From the drop-down list, select the type of credit card you are using.
  • Enter the credit card number, security code and expiration date.
  • Click Continue with Plastic Card Payment.

c) Authorize Payment

Regardless of which type of payment you choose, the next screen will show a summary of the payment and allows you to enter an email address where confirmation of the transaction may be sent. It is strongly recommended you enter an email address.

In order for the transaction to go through, you must indicate your authorization by clicking on the box next to one of the following:

  • “I authorize a charge to my card account for the above amount in accordance with my card issuer agreement.”
  • “I agree to the authorization and disclosure language.”

Click Submit Payment.

If you entered an email address, you will receive an email confirmation of the transaction.

You will know the transaction has been processed when the system returns you to the CM/ECF site. Your credit card will be billed regardless of whether you finish filing your document.

When you are returned to the CM/ECF site, your docket text will be displayed. You may add any additional text in the blank field if needed. Pay.gov automatically updates your docket text with your receipt number and it will show in this preview. Click Next to continue with the filing.

Payment Error

If for any reason you are unable to complete filing the document once the Pay.gov transaction has been completed and have to start the filing process over, you will be charged a second fee. To have the first fee removed from your credit card account or bank account, you must contact the Case Administrator. You will need the Agency Tracking ID and Pay.gov Tracking ID from the confirmation email you receive as well as the date of the transaction and the name of the attorney whose CM/ECF login and password were used.