# Integrating ECF/PACER

### Summary

Learn how to link your PACER/ECF credentials to Docket Alarm to enable real-time alerts, download "Free Look" documents automatically, and reduce your overall PACER fees.

### Why This is Important

Without integration, Docket Alarm has to periodically "pull" the court for updates, which can cause a slight delay. By linking your ECF account, Docket Alarm intercepts the official "Notice of Electronic Filing" (NEF) email sent by the court.

#### **Benefits:**

1. **Real-Time Speed:** You get the alert within seconds of when the court sends it.
2. **Free Documents:** The system automatically downloads the "Free Look" PDF attached to the NEF. This saves you the standard PACER document fees.
3. **Shareable Links:** Unlike the standard PACER link which expires after one click, Docket Alarm converts the document into a permanent link that you can share with your entire team without incurring double charges.

#### Step-by-Step Guide

**Step 1: Access Setup**

1. Go to the **Dashboard**.
2. Look for the **ECF Integration Setup** button (located on the bottom right of the page).
3. Alternatively, go to **My Account > ECF Setup**.

<figure><img src="/files/wZi6YUGYlTAqnanQmuEe" alt=""><figcaption><p>Link your credentials to unlock real-time speed and cost savings.</p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2: Input Credentials**

1. Select the specific court(s) you have credentials for.
2. Enter your **PACER Username** and **Password**.
3. Click **Connect ECF Account.**

**Step 3: Verify Integration**

* Once linked, the alert will automatically add to your case dashboard once there has been a new filing.
* You will see alerts in your dashboard displayed in **blue italics**, indicating they were sourced directly from an ECF notification.

### Security & Privacy

* **Security:** Docket Alarm does not store your ECF password and does not pull confidential documents. We only add a secondary email within your ECF settings to receive copies of the public Notice of Electronic Filing.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Cost Saving Tip:** By centralizing your firm's tracking through Docket Alarm with ECF integration, you ensure that a document is paid for **only once**. If 10 attorneys need to read the same motion, they all view the cached Docket Alarm copy, rather than each paying $3.00 to PACER.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Related Articles

* [How to Track a Docket](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/tracking-and-alerts/how-to-track-a-docket.md)
* [Bulk Downloading Documents](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/document-management/bulk-downloading-documents.md)

### Need more help?

If your password changes on the official PACER site, remember to update it here in Docket Alarm to prevent interruption of your alerts.

**What's Your Next Step?**

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