Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts provides administrative and technical support to the United States federal judiciary. It oversees the operation of the PACER electronic court filing system, which allows attorneys, litigants, and the public to access case documents online. The office also manages the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system used by individual courts for docketing and case processing. In addition to electronic filing, it maintains document management infrastructure that stores civil, criminal, and national security‑related records. The office ensures the continuity of court operations by supporting IT services, security, and public access portals across the federal court system. Its services are directed exclusively toward the federal judicial branch, serving district courts, appellate courts, and specialized tribunals nationwide.

As the central administrative entity for the federal courts, the office’s reach extends to all federal judicial districts and the appellate circuits, providing a uniform technological backbone for case management. It functions as an agency within the judicial branch of the United States government, reporting to the Judicial Conference of the United States rather than to a private parent or subsidiary. The office’s distinguishing attributes include its specialization in judicial support, its regulatory role in setting standards for electronic filing and data security, and its responsibility for safeguarding sensitive legal information. Notable competencies involve managing large‑scale electronic document repositories, responding to cybersecurity incidents, and implementing protective measures such as air‑gapped storage for critical records. Through these functions, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts underpins the operational integrity and accessibility of the federal judiciary.