After the recent disclosure of widespread cybersecurity breaches of both private sector and government computer systems, federal courts are immediately adding new security procedures to protect highly sensitive confidential documents filed with the courts.

Effective immediately, any sealed document or slated to be sealed document normally submitted electronically in the Eastern District of Virginia must be filed in paper format.  Please submit documents that you would normally electronically file under seal or seek to file under seal to our drop boxes located at any of our four courthouses.  For now, these documents will not be uploaded to CM/ECF.  This new practice will not change current policies regarding public access to court records, since sealed records are confidential and currently not available to the public.

Do not electronically file anything in CM/ECF under seal until you receive further instruction from this Court.  The Court anticipates issuing a Standing Order in the near future to provide further clarification as to what documents must be filed in paper format.

More information may be read in this notice located at www.uscourts.gov.