How to E-File With Courts
Each court system has its own rules for filing documents and claims, including electronic submissions. Within the federal system, each district has its own local rules with some districts requiring e-filing and others not accepting electronic submissions. Similarly, each state has its own set of rules that can further vary by county. Generally, e-filing requires registration through a web-based service.
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Instructions
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Identify the local rules. Determine the requirements of the court. The federal courts have developed a system called Case Management/ Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF).
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Register. Registration with the court's e-filing system is a major element of the service's convenience. Once your information is entered, it doesn't have to be entered again. You will have to identify yourself and whether you're a licensed attorney. You will also have to provide credit card information for automatic billing.
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Create a document. The federal court system only accepts electronic documents in .PDF format. Some states accept word processing documents. When you create your document for filing, be sure to save it in the appropriate format for your court.
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Submit as attachment. When you log into the e-filing system, you can create an electronic submission by identifying the case and the type of document being filed. The document is then attached, much like and email attachment, and submitted electronically. In the federal court, there are no fees for submitting electronically, but there is a charge for obtaining copies of electronically stored documents.
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