If you are currently suspended for non-payment of an annual renewal fee, you must first pay the past-due fee(s) before the annual renewal fee for the current year can be paid. If your status is Suspended Non-Payment the only menu you will have access to when you log into the CM/ECF system is Reinstatement Fees.
Follow these instructions if your CM/ECF account has been suspended for non-payment of the annual renewal fee (for 5 years or less) and you would like to return to active status. Beginning January 2026, if you have been suspended for non-payment for more than five years, you will need to reapply for admission to the district.
When your reinstatement fee has been paid, the Clerk's office will return your status to Active. When your status is returned to Active, you will then be given full menu options and you may pay the annual renewal fee for the current year.
FIRST, contact the clerk’s office to determine how much you need to pay in past due fees, or if you will need to reapply for admission.
- Navigate to PACER.gov
- Log into your filing account and select Iowa Northern District Court from the drop-down menu
- Check the box on the Redaction Agreement and click Continue
- Click on the purple hyperlink
- The only menu option you will be given is the Reinstatement Fees menu.
- Select Reinstatement Fee, click Next
- Follow the screens through the event. Be sure to read the instructions/information on each screen
- Select the number of years you are paying past-due fees for, click Next
- Complete the payment in Pay.gov. Once the payment is complete you MUST continue with the CM/ECF event until you reach the Notice of Electronic Filing or your payment will not be credited correctly to your account.
- Allow 24 hours for the Clerk's office to return your account to Active. Once your status has been updated you will have full access to all CM/ECF menus and you may then pay the annual renewal fee for the current year