The Administrative Office of the United States Courts requested that the following information regarding the Public Access to Court Electronic Records Service Center ("PSC") be disseminated broadly to reduce PSC telephonic wait times and call volume:

On October 16, 2025, PACER released an update that allows users with CM/ECF-level access (e.g., filers, interested parties, etc.) whose account search status becomes inactive due to search inactivity the ability to reset their own password without contacting the PSC.

Users with CM/ECF-level filing access can still file even if their search status shows as “inactive” due to six months of inactivity.

Some common questions are answered on the PACER website on the MFA Tips and Resources page. Please visit this page before contacting the PSC, as most issues can be handled by following the steps outlined on the website.

When to contact the PSC

• You will need to contact the PSC to reactivate your PACER search status if your account has been deactivated.

When you do not need to contact the PSC

• If you do not receive an MFA enrollment prompt when logging into PACER, no action is necessary.


• If you receive an MFA enrollment prompt, you can enroll on your own by following the steps outlined on the MFA Tips and Resources page. Support from the PSC is not required for enrollment.

Thank you for your patience as the PSC works to reduce call wait times and strengthen account security.

Contacting the PSC only when necessary will help ensure support is available for those who have an urgent need.

NOTE: THE CLERK'S STAFF, INCLUDING THE CM/ECF HELP DESK, CANNOT ASSIST WITH YOUR ENROLLMENT IN MFA OR ISSUES OBTAINING THE PASSCODES ASSOCIATED WITH MFA.

The following amended and new Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, and Civil Procedure; Official Bankruptcy Forms; and Director's Forms will be effective December 1, 2025:

• Amended Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 6 and 39;


• Amended Bankruptcy Rules 3002.1 and 8006;


• Amended Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16 and 26 and new FRCP 16.1;


• Amended Official Bankruptcy Form 410S1and new Bankruptcy Forms 410C13-M1, 410C13-M1R, 410C13-N, 410C13-NR, 410C13-M2, and 410C13-M2R;


• Amended Director's Forms 2000 and 2030, and new Form 4100C.

Click HERE for a summary of the rule amendments.

Click HERE for more detailed information about the rule amendments.

Click HERE for information about the form amendments.

NOTE: New docket events have been created for Official Forms 410C13-M1, 410C13-N, and 410C13-M2. The new events will be available in CM/ECF Live on December 1, 2025.

All divisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida will be closed for the following federal holidays:

November 27, 2025: Thanksgiving Day
December 25, 2025: Christmas Day
January 1, 2026: New Year's Day

Additionally, certain divisions will be closed on the following days:**

November 28, 2025:
Jacksonville and Orlando Divisions Closed
Tampa Division Open

December 26, 2025:
Orlando and Tampa Divisions Closed
Jacksonville Division Open

January 2, 2026
All Divisions Closed

**IF YOU ARE A SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY, Click HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO FILE A DOCUMENT WHEN THE INTAKE COUNTER IS CLOSED.

On November 12, 2025, the President signed a continuing resolution enabling the entire federal government, including the Judiciary, to remain open through January 30, 2026, while Congress and the Administration continue negotiations on the unfinished appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026. Judiciary staff who were furloughed during the shutdown can return to work. Accordingly, the Clerk's Offices for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida will resume normal operational hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during the budgetary lapse.

José A. Rodriguez, Clerk of Court

All divisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida will be closed for the following federal holidays:

November 11, 2025: Veterans Day
November 27, 2025: Thanksgiving Day
December 25, 2025: Christmas Day
January 1, 2026: New Year's Day

Additionally, certain divisions will be closed on the following days:

November 10, 2025:
Orlando and Tampa Divisions Closed
Jacksonville Division Open

November 28, 2025:
Jacksonville and Orlando Divisions Closed
Tampa Division Open

December 26, 2025:
Orlando and Tampa Divisions Closed
Jacksonville Division Open

January 2, 2026
All Divisions Closed

Effective Friday, October 31, 2025, the operational hours of the Clerk's Offices in all divisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida will change due to the government shutdown and employee furloughs. Each Friday until further notice, the Clerk's Office intake counters will be closed to the public.

We will endeavor to return messages left on voicemail within one business day. Attorneys and other registered CM/ECF users may continue to file electronically.

On Fridays, self-represented (pro se) filers may use the following methods to submit papers and preserve a file date.

Click HERE for more information.

During the federal government shutdown, federal courts must limit operations to those necessary to perform the Judiciary's constitutional functions. As a direct result of those limitations, the Bankruptcy Court has postponed the November 5 portrait ceremony and reception in memory of Judge Michael G. Williamson. The portrait ceremony will be rescheduled after the court resumes normal operations.

Please note that the shutdown will not affect the Business Law Section's View from the Florida Bankruptcy Bench programs and the related receptions. All of the originally scheduled judicial panelists will participate. The following events will proceed:

November 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Le Méridien, 601 N. Florida Avenue
View from the Bench Reception hosted by the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association*
Registration Link: Tampa View from the Bench Reception

*Note

The View from the Reception in Tampa will go forward as a TBBBA-sponsored event with no charge for this year's reception only. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Walk ins will not be admitted. If you already RSVP'd for the Portrait Ceremony, then your reservation has been transferred to the View from the Bench reception, and it is not necessary to re-register.

November 6 at 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
View from the Florida Bankruptcy Bench
USF Health CAMLS, 124 S. Franklin Street, Tampa
Registration Link: View from the Bench-Tampa

November 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Joe's Stone Crab, 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Reception and dinner hosted by the Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida
Registration Link: VFB Reception & Dinner at Joe's

November 7 at 8 a.m. To 12:30 p.m.
View from the Florida Bankruptcy Bench
Akerman LLP, 98 SE 7th Street
Brickell City Centre, Suite 1100, Miami
Registration Link: View from the Bench-Miami

The registration deadline for the seminars has been extended through October 31. Please note that the programs are live presentations only and will not be recorded for after-market purchase. Space is limited and walk-in registrations will not be available. Register now to avoid missing Florida's preeminent bankruptcy seminar.

The courthouses in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa will be closing early at 2:00 PM today, October 24, 2025.

The Court has updated its register of addresses for service of notices on federal and state governmental units. The register includes a new address for service on the United States Attorney for cases pending in the Fort Myers Division.

Click HERE to access the updated register.

On September 26, 2025, Canada Post announced a shutdown due to national labor actions between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Recipients in Canada have not received court-issued notices since September 26, 2025. Notices that the Bankruptcy Noticing Center (BNC) attempted to deliver to Canada between September 26 and October 1 are being held at the Canadian/United States border and will not be delivered to intended recipients until after the Canada Post shutdown has ended.

As of October 2, 2025, the BNC contractor began to bypass notices that specifically contain the word "Canada" in the last line of the address. Bypassed addresses are then indicated as such on the BNC Certificate of Notice. As part of the bypass process, the BNC notifies debtor's counsel of mail that is bypassed as undeliverable, and the BNC notifies the court if the debtor is pro se and for adversary proceedings.

Please note that electronic noticing through the BNC is unavailable to international recipients, thus courts will not assume that a Canadian recipient has received notice by other means (i.e., electronic notice).

Counsel should make accurate representations of service of papers to Canadian parties, particularly if serving papers by negative notice under Local Rule 2002-4.

We will post further updates as the BNC provides us with new information.

Please click HERE for a memorandum from Judge Delano and Judge Rivera regarding reassignment of cases and hearing procedures in the Fort Myers Division.

TAMPA, FL - On October 2, 2025, the Honorable Luis E. Rivera II was sworn in as the newest bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judge Rivera's duty station is in Tampa, Florida. He will also preside in the Court's Fort Myers Division.

The Court has entered Administrative Order FLMB-2025-1, effective in Chapter 13 cases filed on or after October 1, 2025. The amendment reflects information for new Chapter 13 Standing Trustee Daryl Smith.

Click HERE to view the order.

Pro Bono Week is October 20-25, 2025. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida invites you to join the celebration!

Click HERE to see the lineup of scheduled events.

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida has appointed Judge Jacob A. Brown as the Middle District's chief bankruptcy judge for a four-year term commencing October 1, 2025. Judge Brown succeeds Judge Caryl E. Delano, whose term as chief judge ends on September 30, 2025.

The PACER Service Center (PSC) is currently experiencing long call wait times due to the enforcement of several security features that will enhance the security of PACER accounts, including updated password standards and multifactor authentication (MFA).

To help mitigate the wait times, enforcement of the updated password standards has been temporarily delayed. In addition, we ask that only users who receive a prompt to enroll in MFA when they log in should do so. If you do not receive an MFA enrollment prompt, no action is necessary. Please do not contact the PSC with questions about MFA until you are required to enroll. This ensures support is available for those who need it. Some common questions we received are answered on the list of MFA Tips and Resources which should be reviewed before calling the PSC.

Additionally, we would like to get your feedback regarding the MFA options using this short survey.

Thank you for your patience as we work to reduce call wait times and strengthen account security.

**NOTE: The Clerk's staff, including the CM/ECF Help Desk, cannot assist with your enrollment in MFA.**

Click HERE to view the Summer 2025 edition.

Please Click HERE to access Tips and Resources for MFA enrollment.

If you need further assistance after reviewing the online resources, you can contact the PACER Service Center via email or phone.

pacer@psc.uscourts.gov

800-676-6856 (Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT)

Due to high call volume, you should anticipate lengthy wait times.

NOTE: The Clerk's staff, including the CM/ECF Help Desk, cannot assist with your enrollment in MFA.