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Resolving the "ECF" Alert on the Review Screen

This article walks through both requirements so you can clear the alert for ECF on the Review Screen.

Written by James Brooks

When you reach Review and File > Review, NextChapter automatically checks your case for common issues before you file. If the ECF card shows a red alert icon instead of a green checkmark, it means one or two pieces of setup are missing: your ECF login credentials, and/or an attorney assigned to the case.

What NextChapter Checks

The ECF card passes only when both of the following are true:

  1. ECF credentials (username and password) are saved on the attorney's user profile.

  2. An attorney is selected on the case, under Client Profile > Filing Information.

If either one is missing, the card will show the red alert icon shown above.

Step 1: Add ECF Credentials to the User Profile

ECF credentials are tied to the individual attorney's login, not to the case itself, so this only needs to be done once per attorney.

  1. Click your name or avatar to open Account Settings, then go to My User Profile.

  2. Scroll to the ECF Login and ECF Password fields.

  3. Enter the attorney's PACER/ECF username and password for the applicable district.

  4. Click Save Changes.

Tip: The ECF Password field will display "Password saved — enter new to replace..." once a password has already been entered. You don't need to re-enter it unless it has changed.

Step 2: Select an Attorney on the Case

Even if ECF credentials exist on a user profile, the case itself still needs an attorney assigned before the ECF check will pass.

  1. From the case menu, go to Client Profile > Filing Information.

  2. In the Filing Information panel, find the Attorney field.

  3. Click the dropdown and select the attorney handling this case.

  4. The field will save automatically once an attorney is selected.

Note: The Attorney dropdown only lists attorneys who already have a user profile on your NextChapter account. If the attorney you need isn't listed, they'll need to be added as a user first.

Confirming the Fix

Once both steps are complete, return to Review and File > Review. The ECF card should now display a green checkmark instead of the red alert icon, confirming the case is ready to move forward on this item.

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