On September 18, 2025, the Court adopted a General Order setting out new procedures for accessing sealed documents in civil and criminal cases.  Pursuant to that order, sealed documents are no longer available for accessing, viewing, or downloading in CM/ECF.  If an attorney or self-represented party requires a copy of a sealed document(s) that is no longer accessible via CM/ECF, you must follow these steps to request a copy:

1. You must contact the Clerk’s Office at (401)-752-7200 or by email at RID_ECF_Intake@rid.uscourts.gov to request a copy of the sealed document(s).
2. Before providing a copy of the sealed document(s), the Clerk’s Office will confirm that you are: counsel of record or a self-represented litigant in the case; and that you are entitled to access the document(s) sealed by the Court.  Once this information is confirmed, the Court will provide you with access to the sealed document(s) by either secure electronic means or by U.S. Mail.

Access Provided by Secure Electronic Means:  The Clerk’s Office’s preference is to provide copies of sealed document(s) to the requestor by a secure file relay via Box.com  To receive the document via this method, the requestor must create a Box account using the primary email address connected to the requestor’s PACER account.  The Clerk’s Office will not provide sealed documents to a Box account affiliated with an email address other than the primary email address associated with the requestor’s PACER account.  This would include a Box account affiliated with any secondary email addresses connected to the requestor’s PACER account or any other email address maintained by the requestor.The Clerk’s Office will invite the email address listed on the docket for the attorney or self-represented litigant requesting the sealed document(s) to a Box folder that contains the sealed document(s).  The requestor will have 7 days to retrieve the document from the Box folder.  After 7 days, the document will be deleted from the folder.​​​​​​​

Access Provided by U.S. Mail or In-Person.  The Clerk’s Office will provide copies of sealed document(s) by U.S. Mail or in-person pickup.  To receive the sealed document(s) via this method, the requestor must first pay for copies of the sealed document(s) at the current docket copy fee rate as set by the District Court Fee Schedule.  Sealed documents will only be mailed to the attorney or self-represented litigant at the address listed on the docket.  If the sealed document(s) are picked up at the Courthouse, they will only be given to the attorney or self-represented litigant who made the request.  Clerk’s Office staff will not provide sealed materials to individuals other than the attorney or self-represented party requesting the materials.