Reminder and Tips for Automated Script Users

PACER users who run data-scraping scripts should only conduct large data pulls between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Central Time. Adhering to this schedule minimizes slow system performance. 

To ensure continuous access for all PACER users, a court may suspend or reduce access to those causing operational disruption. 

In addition, some users are improperly updating the NextGenCSO token. This token remains valid for an extended period; therefore, it should be used for all subsequent searches at all courts while it is valid, i.e., until you call the logout service or until you reach the maximum valid account login time. 

You should not authenticate each time you run a search. Upon successful authentication, users should set the NextGenCSO authentication token as a cookie and include it as a cookie in the header of each request to court systems. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, excessive authentication calls that cause operational disruption may also lead to suspended or reduced PACER access.