Certain versions of Adobe Acrobat and other PDF editing software allow the user to save a fillable form after data has been entered, and to edit that information at a future date.

PDFs filed to CM/ECF should be “flattened” before upload since this helps prevent several issues that might cause CM/ECF to reject the file. This is especially important for fillable forms like official bankruptcy forms, since it helps ensure the document appears completed and the data cannot be easily extracted or altered by an unauthorized third party.

To flatten a form or fix PDF issues that might cause CM/ECF to reject a file, try the following:

• Use the print to PDF feature in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. In Windows 10 or later, Print > Microsoft Print to PDF is available by default. Users can also enable Adobe PDF as a printer and use Print > Adobe PDF. For PDFs containing fillable fields, this will flatten the fields.
• PDFs made using Word for Mac may have cross-reference issues. If CM/ECF is refusing to accept a PDF, try opening the file in Adobe and then select Save As and re-save as a PDF. The Save As dialog will pick Adobe PDF Files by default.