How to Keep Your PACER Account Portable and Up-to-Date When Changing Jobs
Updated: Apr 14
If you opened your PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) account during college, law school, or your first legal job, you might wonder what happens to it when you move on. The good news is that your PACER account is personal and portable. It doesn’t belong to your employer; it belongs to you. This means you can keep using the same account as you change jobs, or take on new roles in the legal field. And PACER prefers you keep one account. All it takes is a few simple updates to keep your account current and compliant.
Lets Walk Through It:
Even though your PACER account is yours, it’s important to keep your information accurate and up-to-date. Here’s why:
Billing accuracy: PACER charges fees for accessing court documents. If your billing information is outdated, you might face payment issues or delays.
Contact information: Courts need updated noticing information.
Security: Keeping your account details current helps protect against unauthorized use.
Steps to Update Your PACER Account After Changing Jobs
Updating your PACER account is straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure your account stays accurate and functional:
Log in to your PACER account - pacer.gov
Do this before you leave your old position.
Go to Settings and update your PACER billing email address.
Change the billing email to a personal email address if your new business address is not yet available. This prevents awkward moments like needing PACER access and realizing it’s tied to an inbox you can no longer open. Security codes will be sent to this address when doing other updates.
Update Personal Information
Once You Start Your New Position
Log back into your PACER account.
Update the PACER billing email address to your new work email.
If you are a practicing attorney in any federal court, head to Maintenance and update your personal and address information with your new employment details.
Review and update your e‑file email notification settings and frequency so court notices don’t pile up unseen.
PACER automatically sends these updates to the courts where you are registered to e‑file. One important reminder: unless you are officially working from home, you generally do not want to list your home address or personal email here—because this is the information that appears when you e‑file documents (and your personal inbox probably doesn’t need that kind of attention).
A few minutes of updates now can save you headaches later. Think of it as unpacking your PACER account before you fully settle into your new desk.
Review Billing Information
Make sure your credit card or payment method is current. Update expiration dates or switch to a new card if needed.
Your new employer may have a PAA account, an administrative account for firm billing. Your account may be added to the PAA which, in turn, can easily bill clients for PACER docket search.
Confirm Changes
Save your updates and review your account summary to ensure all information is correct.
Final Tips for Managing Your PACER Account Across Multiple Jobs
If you anticipate moving between jobs or working with multiple employers, consider these tips to keep your PACER account organized:
Keep your login credentials secure: Use a strong password and update it regularly. Now is also a good time to update your password—because PACER has opinions about password security. PACER now requires a 14‑character password, and you’ll be prompted to update it every six months. Consider it a gentle reminder from PACER that your password should be stronger than “Password123” and freshened up regularly.
Keep track of email addresses: Keep up to date emails for billing and noticing.
Track your billing statements: Regularly review your PACER charges to catch any discrepancies.
Keep a record of your account updates: Note when and what you change in your account for future reference. Keep track of answers to security questions.
Understand your employer’s policies: Some firms have specific rules about PACER billing under a PAA.
What to Do If You Forget Your PACER Login or Need Help
If you lose access to your PACER account or forget your login details, PACER provides options to recover your information:
Use the “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password” links on the login page.
Call the PACER service center (last resort).
Keep your account number handy.
And if things don’t go quite as planned, PACER Support can step in and help you get your account information back on track..
This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP.
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