When parties in a civil or criminal case seek to file materials under seal, they must file a motion to request an order from the Court permitting sealing—unless sealing is otherwise authorized by statute or rule.

Local Rule 5.3 outlines the applicable procedures for requesting permission to file materials under seal. As noted in the comments to the rule, "[a]ttorneys are cautioned that attempts to circumvent this rule may result in the imposition of sanctions."

A sample motion to seal for civil and criminal cases is available here.

Parties that file a motion to seal must also file redacted and unredacted versions of the materials sought to be filed under seal as set forth in Local Rule 5.3(b)(3)(A)(v)–(vi).

Local Rule 5.3 applies when parties request that the Court seal materials in criminal cases. See E.D. Mich. LCrR 1.1; E.D. Mich. LR 1.1(c).

However, when materials in a criminal case relate to cooperation, a combined motion and proposed order to seal must be submitted in Word format as a proposed order via the link located under the Utilities section of ECF.