Respondent Access Portal Frequently Asked Questions

Respondent Access Portal is a secure online platform (requiring login credentials) that allows individuals in immigration proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) to view case information, download electronic Records of Proceedings (eROPs), and electronically file case-related documents. It is part of the EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS).

Using your personal computer, cell phone, or other mobile devices, you can: 

• View your case information and documents online, including case status and relevant documents. 
• Download court filings, documents, and other correspondence from the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals. 
• Electronically file case documents, instead of physically filing documents at the immigration court filing window. 

Electronic filing is the process of submitting documents to a court or government agency. To electronically file a document in Respondent Access Portal, you must first upload the document and then submit it for EOIR staff to review. After you upload and submit, you will receive an email informing you whether your document has been accepted or rejected. Once your document is accepted, the electronic filing process is complete. 

When you request to download documents in Respondent Access Portal, you will receive a copy of the requested documents to store on your personal computers, cell phones, or other mobile devices. Downloaded documents are exact copies of the documents in your official immigration court case file.

Respondent Access Portal works with all major browsers, but it works best using Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. 

Yes.

EOIR will notify individuals who are eligible to register for Respondent Access Portal with an official notice sent through the mail. EOIR is phasing enrollment for Respondent Access Portal.

There are three self-help tools that do not require login. These tools allow individuals to file a Form EOIR 33 (Change of Address/Contact Information), obtain basic hearing information, and access basic resources to assist with their immigration case. 

Yes, if you are an adult whose case is not consolidated (combined) with the case(s) of a minor(s).  EOIR is phasing enrollment for Respondent Access Portal. Upon receiving notice, eligible individuals in EOIR immigration proceedings who do not have an attorney or accredited representative can register and use Respondent Access Portal. 

No, not yet. EOIR will send a notice when it is time for you to register for Respondent Access Portal. Until then, your attorney or accredited representative should continue to use ECAS Case Portal to view your case information and electronically file case documents on your behalf.

No. However, attorneys and accredited representatives can access one of the following:

• ECAS Case Portal for attorneys and fully accredited representatives. 
• ECAS Payment Portal for those paying filing fees related to appeals. 

A DOJ Login account is required to use Respondent Access Portal. When you are eligible for a Respondent Access Portal account, EOIR will notify you by mail. The notice will include detailed steps for obtaining a DOJ Login. 

You can register for an account here.

Once you have completed the registration process for Respondent Access Portal, you can log in through the DOJ Login screen here.

DOJ Login helps protect the information you provide to EOIR. DOJ Login prevents unauthorized users from accessing your case information in the Respondent Access Portal. 

In Respondent Access Portal, you may download your electronic Record of Proceeding (eROP), which includes the documents associated with your case. To download a copy of the eROP in Respondent Access Portal, click the Request Download button, and your eROP will be available within 24 hours. This Quick Reference Guide explains the steps. The Request Download button is disabled for case records that are only maintained on paper. If your case records are maintained on paper, you will not be able to obtain a copy in Respondent Access Portal. To view or obtain the paper copy of your case records, please follow the process to Request a Record of Proceeding (ROP).  

There are rules about the type and size of the files you upload in Respondent Access Portal. You may upload PDF (including PDF/A), JPG, and JPEG documents that are 25MB or smaller in size. We recommend scanning or creating PDF documents in black/white (i.e., gray scale) whenever possible to reduce the file size. EOIR scans all files for viruses before the file is accepted.  This Quick Reference Guide explains the steps.

EOIR accepts four types of signatures for documents filed electronically in Respondent Access Portal: (1) an original, handwritten ink signature; (2) an encrypted digital signature; (3) an electronic signature; or (4) a “conformed” signature (for example: /S/ John Doe).  

Please note that you are required to follow any signature instructions provided on government forms. For example, if a government form instructs you to sign the form with a handwritten ink signature, you must follow this instruction. Failure to follow the form instructions may result in the court’s inability to accept your filing.

The filing status of your document will be displayed in Respondent Access Portal. EOIR will also send you emails – first to confirm EOIR received your document and second to notify you whether EOIR accepted or rejected your document. If EOIR accepts a document, the document will be added to your case file, known as the electronic Record of Proceeding or eROP. If EOIR rejects a document, the email will explain the reason(s) why the document was rejected.  

The time it takes to accept an electronic filing depends on court operations. If the court accepts the electronically submitted document, the date it is electronically submitted is the filing date, regardless of when the document is accepted by the court. Upon upload, a watermark containing the filing date and time is applied on the electronically submitted document.

Re-submitted, previously rejected filings arriving after a filing deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on the circumstances of the filing. Per the EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, “The Immigration Judge retains the authority to determine how to treat an untimely filing.” 

Yes. EOIR will complete electronic service (send a copy to DHS) on your behalf if you electronically file through Respondent Access Portal as long as the filing was eligible for electronic filing. Remember, unrepresented individuals in immigration proceedings before EOIR may choose to participate in electronic filing through the Respondent Access Portal but are not required to do so. Participation is voluntary.

Yes. EOIR will complete electronic service (send a copy to DHS) on your behalf if you electronically file through Respondent Access Portal as long as the filing was eligible for electronic filing. Remember, unrepresented individuals in immigration proceedings before EOIR may choose to participate in electronic filing through the Respondent Access Portal but are not required to do so. Participation is voluntary.

To submit classified/secret documents, please follow the procedures in EOIR's policy memoranda regarding classified information.

At this time, individuals with a Respondent Access Portal account can complete and submit a Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. This is the only form available in Respondent Access Portal at this time. The Form I-589 is not mobile compatible at this time - mobile device users need to complete and submit this form on a desktop computer. 

No. You will not need to submit a paper copy of your form, if you submit it electronically from your personal desktop computer through Respondent Access Portal. The filing status of your document will be displayed in Respondent Access Portal. EOIR will also send you emails – first, to confirm EOIR received your document and second to notify you whether EOIR accepted or rejected your document. If EOIR accepts a document, the document will be added to your case file (eROP). If EOIR rejects a document, the email will contain an explanation.

No. EOIR will complete electronic service (send a copy to DHS) on your behalf, if you electronically submit a completed Form I-589 through Respondent Access Portal. 

Physical evidence must be submitted directly to the appropriate immigration court. Please follow the established process for non-electronic filings provided in the EOIR Policy Manual, Part II. 

This feature is not currently available. 

No. You must file your Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal (Form I-589) after the Department of Homeland Security files a Notice to Appear (NTA) (Form I-862) with EOIR. After EOIR accepts the NTA, you may electronically file your Form I-589 with EOIR in Respondent Access Portal. Please see Form I-589, Instructions, for more information on how and where to file the application.

Court documents filed with an immigration court must be filed before midnight in the time zone where your immigration hearing is scheduled. Court documents filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals must be filed before midnight in the Eastern Time zone. Time zones across the United States can be found on the National Institute of Standards and Technology website.

Whether you receive an extension of your filing deadline will depend on the nature of the system outage. There are no changes to a filing deadline for planned system outages announced more than 5 days in advance. For unplanned outages or planned outages with 5 or fewer days’ notice, the filing deadlines are extended to the first business day after the system outage ends. EOIR publicly announces system outages. EOIR posts system outages on its ECAS Outage Log webpage.

All cases and appeals are displayed on one screen in Respondent Access Portal, including closed and pending cases and associated appeals. If you select a specific case or appeal, you can view information specific to that case or appeal in the upper right portion of the screen. 

Respondent Access Portal requires the creation of an account, but the Automated Case Information System/Automated Case Information Hotline does not. Also, Respondent Access Portal allows you to view detailed case information and proceeding history, download a complete copy of your case file (known as the electronic Record of Proceeding or eROP), and electronically file case documents for your EOIR immigration proceedings. By contrast, the Automated Case Information System provides only limited information about your case status and Record of Proceeding. If a case is marked “Do Not Release” no detailed case information is available in the Automated Case Information System, although it is available in the Respondent Access Portal.

No. Please check the EOIR Operational Status webpage for updates and changes to court operations nationwide.

Yes. You can view the asylum clock for your case in the Court Information section in Respondent Access Portal. 

No. Digital Audio Recordings (DAR) of hearings are not available in Respondent Access Portal.

Contact EOIR Customer Support at ECAS.techsupport@usdoj.gov or call 1-877-388-3842.

Yes, this Quick Reference Guide explains the steps to upload court-related documents, download your electronic Record of Proceeding (eROP) and view information about your case. 

Please email your comments and suggestions to ECAS.techsupport@usdoj.gov.