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Password Reset Guide

Overview

If you've forgotten your password or need to change it for security reasons, this guide will walk you through the password reset process.

Time Required: 5-10 minutes

When to Reset Your Password

Forgot Password

  • Can't remember your password
  • Too many failed login attempts
  • Haven't used system in a while

Security Reasons

  • Suspect password compromise
  • Received security alert
  • Regular security update
  • Leaving organization

Password Reset Process

Step 1: Navigate to Login Page

Go to: https://www.waed.uscourts.gov/fisma-upload/

Step 2: Click "Forgot your password?"

Located below the password field on the login form

Step 3: Enter Your Email Address

Enter the email address associated with your account

Important: Must be the EXACT email used during registration

The system will verify your email and send a reset link

Step 5: Check Your Email

Within 1-2 minutes, you'll receive a password reset email:

Email Subject: Password Reset Request - FISMA Document Upload

From: FISMA Document Upload System <noreply@waed.uscourts.gov>
To: attorney@lawfirm.com
Subject: Password Reset Request - FISMA Document Upload

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Washington
FISMA Secure Document Upload System
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

PASSWORD RESET REQUEST

You requested to reset your password. To proceed, click the link
below:

https://www.waed.uscourts.gov/fisma-upload/?reset_token=abc123...

This link will expire in 1 hour.

Request Information:
Email: attorney@lawfirm.com
Request Time: November 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM PST
IP Address: 192.168.1.100

If you did not request a password reset, you can safely ignore
this email. Your password will not change unless you click the
link above and complete the reset process.

If you're having trouble accessing your account, contact the
Clerk's Office at (509) 458-3410.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Eastern District of Washington - Clerk's Office
Phone: (509) 458-3410
Email: ecfinfo@waed.uscourts.gov
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

This is an automated message. Please do not reply.

⏱️ Important: Reset link expires in 1 hour

Click the link in the email to open the password reset page

Step 7: Create New Password

Enter your new password twice:

Password Requirements: - ✅ Minimum 8 characters - ✅ At least one uppercase letter (A-Z) - ✅ At least one lowercase letter (a-z) - ✅ At least one digit (0-9) - ✅ At least one special character (!@#$%^&*)

Example Strong Password: SecurePass2025!

Password Tips: - Use a passphrase: Attorney@Court2025! - Mix words and numbers: Blue$Files99 - Use a password manager - Don't reuse passwords from other sites

Step 8: Click "Reset Password"

Your password will be changed immediately

Step 9: Confirmation

✅ Success! Your password has been reset.

You'll receive a confirmation email:

From: FISMA Document Upload System <noreply@waed.uscourts.gov>
To: attorney@lawfirm.com
Subject: Password Changed for Your Account

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PASSWORD CHANGE CONFIRMATION

Your password has been successfully changed.

Change Information:
Email: attorney@lawfirm.com
Change Time: November 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM PST
IP Address: 192.168.1.100

You can now log in with your new password at:
https://www.waed.uscourts.gov/fisma-upload/

If you did not change your password, please contact the Clerk's
Office immediately at (509) 458-3410.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Step 10: Log In with New Password

  1. Return to the login page
  2. Enter your email
  3. Enter your NEW password
  4. Complete MFA verification
  5. You're logged in!

Troubleshooting Password Reset

"Email not found"

Problem: Email address not registered in system

Solutions: 1. Verify you're using the correct email address 2. Check for typos 3. Use the email you used during registration 4. Contact Clerk's Office if you can't remember registration email

"Reset email not received"

Problem: Didn't receive the password reset email

Solutions: 1. Check spam/junk folder - May be filtered 2. Wait 5 minutes - Email can take a few minutes 3. Check email address - Ensure no typos in request 4. Try again - Request another reset link 5. Whitelist domain - Add @waed.uscourts.gov to safe senders 6. Contact IT - Your organization may block automated emails

Problem: Clicked link more than 1 hour after email sent

Solution: 1. Return to login page 2. Click "Forgot your password?" again 3. Enter your email 4. Check for NEW reset email 5. Click link within 1 hour

Tip: Complete password reset as soon as you receive the email

"Passwords don't match"

Problem: New password and confirmation don't match exactly

Solution: 1. Clear both fields 2. Enter new password carefully in first field 3. Copy and paste to confirmation field 4. OR carefully re-type ensuring exact match (case-sensitive)

"Password doesn't meet requirements"

Problem: Password doesn't meet security requirements

Solution: Ensure your password has: - ✅ At least 8 characters - ✅ Uppercase letter (A-Z) - ✅ Lowercase letter (a-z) - ✅ Digit (0-9) - ✅ Special character (!@#$%^&*)

Example valid password: Attorney2025!Secure

"Invalid reset token"

Problem: Reset link is invalid or already used

Causes: - Link already used (can only use once) - Link expired (>1 hour old) - Link tampered with (URL modified)

Solution: 1. Request a new password reset 2. Use the new link immediately 3. Don't share reset links

Security Considerations

If You Didn't Request Reset

Email shows reset you didn't request:

Action: 1. ✋ DO NOT click the reset link 2. 📧 DELETE the email 3. 🔒 CHANGE your password immediately (if you can still log in) 4. 📞 CONTACT Clerk's Office: (509) 458-3410 5. 🛡️ ENABLE passkey for additional security

Why this happens: - Someone trying to access your account - Phishing attempt - Mistaken email entry

After Password Reset

Security Steps: 1. ✅ Log in immediately to verify new password works 2. ✅ Update password manager if you use one 3. ✅ Consider setting up passkey to avoid future password issues 4. ✅ Review account activity for suspicious behavior 5. ✅ Log out of all other sessions (if possible)

Password Best Practices

Creating Strong Passwords

Do: - ✅ Use 12+ characters (longer is better) - ✅ Mix character types (upper, lower, numbers, symbols) - ✅ Use passphrases: Blue@Attorney#2025 - ✅ Use a password manager - ✅ Make it unique (not used elsewhere)

Don't: - ❌ Use personal information (name, birthday) - ❌ Use common words or patterns - ❌ Reuse passwords from other sites - ❌ Use keyboard patterns (qwerty, 12345) - ❌ Share your password with anyone

Examples

Weak Passwords: - ❌ password123 - ❌ Attorney2025 - ❌ JohnSmith1

Strong Passwords: - ✅ BlueFile$Attorney99 - ✅ Court@Upload2025! - ✅ Legal#Documents42

Avoiding Password Resets

Use a Passkey Instead

Passkeys eliminate password problems:

Benefits: - 🔑 No password to forget - 🚫 Can't be phished - ⚡ Faster login - 🔒 More secure

→ Set up a passkey

Use a Password Manager

If you need to use passwords:

Recommended Tools: - 1Password - LastPass - Bitwarden - Browser built-in managers

Benefits: - Generates strong passwords - Remembers them for you - Syncs across devices - More secure than memory

Changing Password While Logged In

If you remember your password but want to change it:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Click "Change Password"
  4. Enter current password
  5. Enter new password twice
  6. Click "Update Password"

Why change password while logged in? - Regular security update - Suspect compromise - Leaving organization - Sharing device

Password vs Passkey

Feature Password Passkey
Can Forget ✅ Yes ❌ No
Need Reset ✅ Sometimes ❌ Never
Phishable ✅ Yes ❌ No
MFA Required ✅ Yes ❌ No (built-in)
Typing ✅ Required ❌ None

Recommendation: Set up passkeys, keep password as emergency backup

Reset Frequency Limits

Security Limits: - Maximum 5 reset requests per hour - Cooldown period after repeated attempts - Account may lock if abuse detected

Why limits exist: - Prevent brute-force attacks - Prevent email flooding - Ensure security

If you hit limit: - Wait 1 hour - Contact Clerk's Office for immediate access

Next Steps

After resetting your password:

  1. Log In → Test your new password

  2. Set Up Passkey → Avoid password resets in the future

  3. Upload Documents → Resume your work

Need Help?

Clerk's Office - Eastern District of Washington Phone: (509) 458-3410 Email: ecfinfo@waed.uscourts.gov Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time

← Back to Login Methods | Next: Passkey Management →