Need to file documents in an existing court case? This guide provides general instructions applicable across all states where our services are available. While we’ll illustrate the process using an example from a California eFileCA court, the steps outlined are broadly relevant.

If you would like a state-specific example, you may select one of the states below.

California Georgia Illinois Indiana Maryland Nevada Texas Virginia

File on an Existing Case

From the Dashboard, click File on an Existing Case

1. Select Case – Choose your case, or click add a case to retrieve your case from the court’s system.

If your case isn’t immediately visible in the dropdown menu, try typing part or all of the case number to filter the list. Alternatively, if you haven’t yet linked the case to your account, click the “Add a Case” link located to the right of the Case field.

2. Add Documents – Define, select, and upload the documents that make up your filing.

1. Document Type – The list of available Document Types within the e-filing system is determined and maintained by the court. If you cannot find an exact match for your document, you should select the closest generic document type option that seems most appropriate.
2. Document Description – After you have selected a document type, you will typically have a “Document Description” field. In this field, you should enter the exact and complete title of the document you are filing.
3. Click to Upload – Click the link to add your document. Our system will automatically convert most native file formats (i.e. Word, WordPerfect, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF) into the Court’s preferred Adobe PDF format upon upload. Direct uploads of Word documents (.doc or .docx) are limited to specific document types that courts explicitly require in Word format, such as certain proposed orders.
4. Edit – Click the “Edit” button to edit a description, delete a document, or replace a document.

3. Security & Additional Services – Choose a security level, and any needed additional services, for each document.

1. Security – The available document security settings, such as “Public” and “Confidential,” will differ based on the court and the type of document you are filing. Please review the presented options carefully and make a selection. While many users choose “Public,” it’s crucial to select “Confidential” if your document includes sensitive details that should not be publicly accessible.
    
   Please Note: If you’ve designated a document as “Confidential” or your filing includes sensitive information intended to remain private, understand the implications for electronic service. Choosing to electronically serve your documents will transmit all of them within your filing to every selected party, irrespective of the security settings you’ve chosen for specific documents.
2. Additional Services – In the “Additional Services” section, you can select and quantify supplementary items related to your filing. This may include mandatory fees (e.g., court reporter fee, first paper fee) and optional services (e.g., certified copies, if available). Since these services vary by court, always review this section before submitting.

4. New Case Parties – Enter the required parties.

If the party you are filing on behalf of isn’t listed in 5. Filing Party, click the “Add Party” link in 4. New Case Parties; then select and enter the new party’s information in the subsequent fields.

5. Filing Party – Choose the party or parties you are filing on behalf of.

If the party you are filing on behalf of isn’t listed, you may add them in the step above, and then come back to this section to select them.

6. Service Contacts – Add service contacts to your filing to perform electronic service.

1. eServe – To manage electronic service (e-service) recipients, simply select or deselect any listed contacts. If no contacts are currently available or if you need to add more, click the “Add Service Contact” link (Letter D). Please note that you can only edit or delete service contacts that you have personally added.
    
   If you do not want the opposing party (or any party) to view a document marked as “Confidential,” do not use electronic service for those parties. Electronically serving a party unequivocally means that you, the filer, are giving them access to that document.
2. Mail Service – Filers have the option to send accepted documents to any service contact via Certified and First Class Mail.
3. Name – You can add or edit a Mail Service address. However, the address will only be visible if a Mail Service type is selected in the preceding column; otherwise, only the contact’s name will be displayed.
4. Add Service Contact – Filers may click the”Add Service Contact” link to add new contacts to a filing.
5. Return Address – Make sure the “Return Address” listed is correct for any returned Mail Service.

Learn More About Service Contacts     Learn More About Mail Service

7. Filing Fees – Select a payment method to pay estimated fees.

Confirm Fee Calculation

Click “Confirm Fee Calculation” to view the estimated filing fees. These fees are automatically determined by the court based on the case type, selected document type(s), and any additional services you’ve chosen. If the calculated fees appear incorrect, double-check and adjust the case type, document type(s), or additional services as needed.

Waivers on a Case

If your party you are filing on behalf of has an approved fee waiver, or if you are including a fee waiver request with this filing, you must select a waiver payment type to “pay” the listed fees. Please note that the option to select a waiver payment type is not available in all courts. You can find more information via the button below.

8. Review & Submit – Finalize your filing, review, and submit.

1. If you are Filing for an Attorney select them from the menu or click the Add Attorney link.
2. Enter your firm’s Client Matter Number in the specified field if applicable. To send courtesy copies of this filing via email to clients or other relevant parties, enter their email address(es) in the designated area. Please be aware that these email recipients are not considered officially served, and both this feature and the Client Matter Number are for your internal records only.
3. If your court has the option to leave the clerk a memo, enter any sort of note here in the Note to Clerk box.
4. Review your entire filing for accuracy, Then check the box to acknowledge you have verified your filing information.

Submit Your Filing

Click the “Submit Filing” button to send your filing directly to the Court Clerk for review. After all documents are successfully sent, the Court will provide an envelope number and the exact date and time they received your complete submission. This receipt timestamp will be the official file stamp for your accepted documents. For filings submitted after 11:59 PM on weekdays, or anytime on weekends or Court Holidays, the official file stamp will be the next Court business day.

After submitting, your filing status will show as “Pending” on the Filing Status Screen. You can return to this screen anytime to monitor its progress, along with your other filings. Court review times vary, typically ranging from a minute to a full business day. Extended pending times might suggest a court backlog. For status inquiries, contacting the Court directly with your filing’s Envelope Number is the best approach.

Pre-authorization of Fees

Please be aware that upon submitting your filing, the court will initiate a pre-authorization on your payment card for the estimated filing fees. This pre-authorization is only finalized when your filing is accepted. If the court rejects your submission, the pre-authorization will not be settled and should automatically be removed from your account within 3 to 10 business days following the rejection date. The exact timeframe for this removal depends on your bank’s policies.

Learn More About the Pre-Authorization of Fees Learn More About Pre-Authorizations and Debit Cards