You are here

CM/ECF Sealed Documents

At the direction of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Southern District of Indiana has implemented new procedures for the storage and management of sealed documents, effective September 24, 2025.  Parties will continue to file sealed documents in CM/ECF under existing procedures and local rules.  However, any documents filed under seal will only be accessible to and viewable by authorized court staff in CM/ECF.  Accordingly, service of sealed documents will not be effectuated via CM/ECF.  Parties are required to serve sealed documents by other appropriate means as provided by Federal Rules of Procedure.  The clerk's office will serve sealed orders, notices, and other court-generated documents by U.S. Mail or secure electronic means to attorneys of record; and via U.S. Mail to non-CM/ECF filers.   

Sealed Document Procedure Changes:

Requesting Copies of Sealed Documents: 

Sealed documents are not viewable or accessible within CM/ECF, and parties must maintain copies of sealed filings outside of CM/ECF. A party who requires a copy of a previously filed sealed documents must contact the Clerk’s Office to request a copy. The Clerk’s Office will confirm that the party making the request has permission to access the document and will then provide the document(s) by either secure electronic means or by U.S. Mail. Requests for paper copies of sealed documents will be subject to the current docket copy fee rate as set by the District Court Fee Schedule. Requests for sealed documents may be made using the court's online request form linked below.

Sealed Documents Request Form 

Service of Sealed Documents: 

Sealed documents filed in CM/ECF are not accessible or viewable within the system, and service cannot be effectuated through CM/ECF. Instead, parties must serve sealed documents conventionally by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure and the court’s local rules.