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ECF Multifactor Authentication: Add Your Secret Key

Allow NextChapter to automatically enter your MFA code when filing

Written by Sara Taylor
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Before you start

  • You'll need your phone with an authenticator app installed (e.g. Google Authenticator)

  • You'll need to be logged into PACER in another tab

  • This setup takes about 5 minutes and has 4 steps

Important: Even if you already have an authenticator app connected to PACER, you must add a new app entry by clicking "Add App." This creates a separate connection for NextChapter to use.

Overview

This setup happens across two places PACER and NextChapter. Here's what you'll do:

  1. Start the "Add App" flow in PACER

  2. Copy your secret key from PACER → paste it into NextChapter

  3. Scan the QR code in your authenticator app to finish the PACER setup

  4. You're done! NextChapter will handle MFA automatically from now on

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1. Start the "Add App" flow in PACER

  1. Log into your PACER account at pacer.psc.uscourts.gov

  2. Go to Manage My Account > Manage MFA Settings > Authentication Apps

  3. Click Add App (even if you already have one set up)

  4. Enter the security code sent to your email and click Submit

  5. Name your new app (e.g. "NextChapter") then click Next

You'll now see the Set Up App screen with a QR code and a long secret key beneath it. Keep this tab open.

Step 2. Copy your secret key into NextChapter

  1. On the PACER Set Up App screen, copy the long secret key shown below the QR code

  2. Switch to NextChapter and go to My Account Settings > My User Profile

  3. Paste the key into the Secret Key field and save

✅ Your key is now saved in NextChapter.

Do not close the PACER tab. You still need to complete one more step there.

Step 3. Scan the QR code in your authenticator app

This step completes the setup on PACER's side. Without it, the connection won't work.

  1. Open your authenticator app on your phone

  2. Tap Add new account (or the + icon)

  3. Select Scan QR code

  4. Scan the QR code shown on the PACER Set Up App screen

  5. Your app will display a 6-digit code — enter that code into PACER where prompted and click Next.

  6. Click Submit or Next in PACER to confirm

Step 4. You're all set

Once PACER confirms the setup, you're done. From now on, NextChapter will automatically retrieve and enter your MFA code every time you file — no more switching to your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to delete my old authenticator app entry in PACER? No, but you can if you want to keep things tidy. You can manage your apps under Manage My Account > Manage MFA Settings > Authentication Apps. You can keep both entries — it won't cause any issues.

What if I already have an authenticator app set up? You still need to go through the "Add App" flow to get a new secret key. Your existing app entry and codes will continue to work alongside the new one.

What if NextChapter isn't entering my code automatically? The most common cause is not completing Step 3 (scanning the QR code). Try the setup again from the beginning — click "Add App" in PACER to generate a new secret key, and make sure you finish all steps including the QR code scan.


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