The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington announced on April 24 that it has implemented new restrictions on electronic access to sealed documents, following the entry of General Order 2026-2 on April 22.
This change affects how parties and the public can view or obtain sealed court records. The update is significant as it alters longstanding procedures for accessing sensitive information filed with the court.
According to the announcement, while sealed documents will still be filed in CM/ECF according to existing procedures established by Local Bankruptcy Rule 9018-1, they will no longer be available for viewing or access through CM/ECF or any other electronic means. Accessing these sealed records now requires a specific authorization by court order.
For those seeking more information about this policy change or needing assistance with accessing court documents, the Clerk’s Office can be contacted by phone, online chat, or via the ECF Help Desk at ECFHelp@wawb.uscourts.gov.
The move reflects an effort by the court to further protect confidential information and ensure compliance with privacy requirements in bankruptcy proceedings.
