Exemptions from Electronic Public Access (EPA)/Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) Fees

Who May Obtain an Exemption?

The Court may exempt certain persons or classes of persons from payment of the user access fee. Examples of individuals and groups that the Court may consider exempting include: persons who are unable to afford the fees, bankruptcy case trustees, pro bono attorneys, pro bono alternative dispute resolution neutrals, § 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, and individual researchers associated with educational institutions. No exemptions will be permitted for individuals or groups that have the ability to pay the statutorily established access fee, which may include state or federal government agencies, members of the media, or privately paid attorneys.

What is the Nature and Scope of an Exemption?

Any exemption will be for a defined and limited period of time, limited in scope, and may be revoked at the Court’s discretion.To receive an exemption, you must agree not to sell the data obtained as a result, and must not transfer any data obtained as the result of a fee exemption, unless expressly authorized by the court.

How Do I Apply for an Exemption?

To qualify for an exemption, the applicant must demonstrate that an exemption is necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens and to promote public access to information. Individual researchers requesting an exemption also must show that the defined research project is intended for scholarly research, that it is limited in scope, and that it is not intended for redistribution on the internet or for commercial purposes.  To apply for an exemption, complete this form: Application for Exemption Form