NEWS FROM U.S. DISTRICT COURT
February 13, 2026

Motion to Seal Documents. Previously, all motions to seal document(s) had to be submitted to the Clerk’s Office for manual filing. Recently, we modified the events in CM/ECF so that attorneys and pro se filers can electronically file these motions. Pursuant to D.S.D. Civ. LR 7.1(A) and D.S.D. Crim. LR 47.1(B), a motion to seal must include (1) proposed reasons supported by specific factual representations to justify the sealing, and (2) an explanation why alternatives to seal will not provide sufficient protection.

A motion to seal that has not already been filed or is a placeholder for a document in CM/ECF can be electronically filed by an attorney or pro se filer by using the Motion to Seal Document(s) event.

A motion to seal a document that has already been filed in CM/ECF can be electronically filed by an attorney or a pro se filer using the Motion to Seal Existing Document event. The previously filed document, which is the subject of the motion, will not be sealed unless or until the court grants the motion to seal.

The motion to seal should also include the proposed sealed document(s). The proposed sealed document(s) will be attached to the motion as a sealed document.

Closure Reminder. The Court will be closed on February 16th in observance of Presidents’ Day.