How to Correct a "Malformed" PDF

The steps below will guide you through fixing a document when you receive the following error:

“Document is malformed or contains code which may cause an external action (such as launching an application). This PDF document cannot be accepted.”
Link to download guide

Windows
 

Method 1 - Adobe Acrobat

1. Open the file in Adobe Acrobat
2. In the top left of the screen, click on Tools
3. Under the Protect & Standardize section, click on the Protect tool
4. At the top of the screen, click on Remove Hidden Information
5. After the tool runs, click the Remove button

6. Verify that the text in your PDF is still searchable
7. Save the file
8. Attempt to docket the file again in CM/ECF

    

Method 2 – Print to PDF

1. Open the file
2. Print the file
3. For the printer, choose either Adobe PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF
4. You should be prompted to save the file
5. Open the newly saved file and confirm that the text in the document is still searchable
6. Attempt to docket the file again in CM/ECF

Mac
 

Method 1 - Adobe Acrobat

1. Open the file in Adobe Acrobat
2. Click on All tools in the top left-hand side of the window
3. Click on Protect a PDF in the tool list
4. In the pane that opens, click on Remove hidden information
5. After the tool runs, click the Remove button.

6. Verify that the text in the PDF is still searchable
7. Save the file
8. Attempt to docket the file again in CM/ECF