Electronic filing or e-filing allows filers and courts to process documents and related fees online, efficiently. The e-filing process is as follows:

1. The filer scans or converts their signed documents to PDF.
2. The filer logs into their e-filing account (as opposed to driving to the court, parking, waiting in line, and then driving back).
3. The filer chooses the category of the document (such as “Request for Order, Motion, Declaration, etc.) from a dropdown menu designated by their court, and then uploads their document(s).
4. The filer clicks “submit,” and the documents are, effectively, handed to the clerk without the filer having to leave his/her home or office. Similarly, the clerk receives the documents without a plethora of extracurricular conversation from 10s or 100s of people standing in line, which enables the clerks to process documents much faster.
5. The clerk receives the documents (as though the documents had been handed over the counter), and then accepts or rejects the documents (again, as though the documents had been handed over the counter). If accepted, you receive a filed-endorsed copy of the submitted document(s); if rejected, the clerk, typically, returns a note or comment advising of that which needs to be corrected, so you can make the necessary adjustments.

Yes. Self-represented parties are eligible to e-file. When registering, simply chose the “self-represented account” option.

Yes. Many courts accept fillable PDF forms for e-filing. The Judicial Council provides a wide range of fillable statewide forms, and many courts also offer local forms in both standard and fillable PDF formats. You should review your specific court’s website to confirm the availability and requirements for local forms.

Before submitting a fillable PDF via e-filing, it is important to ensure that all form fields are flattened (i.e., no longer editable). Courts may reject documents that contain active fillable fields.

You can flatten a fillable PDF using one of the following methods:

• Manual Method: Print the completed form, sign it as required, and scan the document back into a PDF format.
• Digital Method: If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can typically print the document to the “Adobe PDF” printer and save it as a new file, which removes the fillable fields.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you may use a third-party PDF printer (such as Solid PDF Creator or a similar tool) to print the document to PDF. This process effectively converts the fillable form into a static, non-editable file.

After completing either method, review the final document to confirm that all fields are properly flattened before submitting it for e-filing.

Yes. Our e-filing portal adheres to California and federal security regulations. It also meets Payment Card Industry Security Standards to protect the filer and transaction information.

The availability of e-filing varies by court and case type. To determine whether your specific case is eligible for e-filing, you should review your court’s website. This information is typically provided on a court's dedicated e-filing page or within the court’s local rules.

If you are unable to locate the information online, you may also contact the court clerk for assistance. The clerk’s office can help confirm whether your case type is accepted for e-filing and provide any additional guidance.

It is dependent on the type of document and the court. Courts, typically, process documents within 24 hours of e-filing. However, impacted courts or certain documents, such as proposed orders and other documents needing additional action, can take longer to process.

If your hearing is scheduled within 24 hours, or you have an otherwise urgent filing, you may contact the court directly during its published telephone hours to request expedited processing. Be sure to have your e-filing transaction number available so the clerk can quickly locate your submission.

Many e-filing systems also allow you to include a brief note to the clerk when submitting documents. In urgent situations, filers sometimes include a short message indicating the need for expedited review (e.g., noting that the filing is time-sensitive or requesting “file-on-demand,” where permitted). Please note that such requests are informal and subject to the court’s discretion.

As a general best practice, maintaining a courteous and professional tone in all communications with the court is recommended. While clerks must follow applicable rules and procedures, clear and respectful communication can help facilitate a more efficient filing process.

A Filing Document Name refers to the type of filing, such as Answer, Demurrer, Motion, Request for Order, etc.) and is used to designate your document(s) upon submission. When submitting documents, this option appears in the form of a dropdown menu from which you choose the name of the document that is being submitted. Each county has its own configuration (designated list) of document names.

Using the correct Filing Document Name is important, as it determines the appropriate fee and court workflow. For example, if you choose “Motion – no fee” when the motion you are filing is chargeable, your submission will most likely be rejected. Similarly, family law litigants will want to keep this in mind when filing motions to modify custody or visitation, because these motions have a slightly higher fee than do initial and other motions, so family law filers will want to be sure to choose the correct motion or optional add-on fee.

Oftentimes, if a county has not designated a document within their configuration/list of selectable documents, and it is a document that does not require a filing fee (be assured this is the only kind of document that a government agency would not pre-designate), you may be able to choose something generic, such as “Declaration,” and then properly identify the document in the description. It would not hurt to mention that you did so, for the reasons you did so, in the optional note to the clerk; this would just help the clerk to understand the process you did and, likely, push your filing thru if there are not substantive problems.

E-filings may be returned or rejected for a variety of procedural reasons. Below are some of the most common issues to be aware of:

• Multiple documents combined into a single PDF: Each document should generally be submitted as its own separate PDF (unless local rules require otherwise). As a general guideline, if a document has its own caption page, it should be filed individually. If you include a Proof of Service within the same PDF as the primary document, consider noting this in the document description (e.g., “with Proof of Service”).
• Incorrect Filing Document Name selected: Choosing the wrong document designation can result in incorrect fee assessment or improper routing, often leading to rejection.
• Incorrect court location selected: In counties with multiple courthouses, selecting the wrong location when initiating a case can cause delays or rejection. Court websites typically provide guidance on how to determine the proper venue (e.g., by zip code or case type).
• Missing required documents: Certain filings require additional supporting documents (e.g., civil case cover sheets or supplemental forms). Omitting required documents may result in rejection, even for experienced filers.
• Incomplete or missing required information within a document: While clerks generally do not review documents for substantive content, some filings must meet specific statutory requirements.
• Incorrect document uploaded: Uploading the wrong file is a common and easily avoidable issue. Using clear, descriptive file names can help ensure the correct documents are selected and submitted.

Carefully reviewing your submission prior to filing can help minimize the likelihood of rejection and ensure a more efficient processing experience.

Yes. Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.305, documents submitted with faxed signatures must be clearly identified as such.

To comply with this requirement, you should include a notation on the document indicating that the signature was transmitted by fax. Acceptable notations may include phrases such as “Filed by Fax,” “Faxed Signatures,” or “Faxed Signatures Shall Be Deemed Original,” provided the language aligns with your court’s specific requirements.

Including this designation helps ensure compliance with applicable rules and reduces the likelihood of processing delays or rejection.

Our e-filing portal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, keep in mind that, for your document(s) to be filed the same day, the submission must be transmitted to the court by the time specified by the court. For example, if your court’s cutoff time is 4:00pm, any documents submitted for e-filing after 4:00pm would be file-stamped on the next court day.

Yes, please see our E-Filing Technical Support page for the appropriate telephone numbers.

E-service refers to the electronic delivery of legal documents to other parties via email, either through standard email or directly through an e-filing system.

When e-service is performed through an e-filing platform, users may have access to tracking features that confirm when a document is received and, in some cases, when it is opened. Please note that e-service is generally not permitted for initial case filings, such as a Summons, Complaint, or Petition, which typically require personal or substituted service.

In most instances, all parties must consent to electronic service before it can be used. This is typically accomplished by signing and filing a consent to electronic service, unless the court automatically enrolls parties in e-service upon participation in e-filing.

If a consent form is required, it is usually available on the court’s website or can be found on the California Judicial Council website, under forms.

Yes, the e-filing portal may be used to serve documents between parties and counsel without filing the documents through the courts.

Yes. Each individual PDF document must not exceed a certain size. Additionally, the total size of all documents submitted together must not exceed a combined size.

If your file exceeds these limits, you may consider the following options:

• Reduce the file size using PDF software: If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can use the “Save As Other” feature and select either “Reduced File Size” or “Optimized PDF.”
• Use a PDF compression tool: If you do not have Acrobat Pro, you may use a third-party PDF compressor. Please ensure the software is from a reputable source to avoid unwanted or malicious programs.

With our e-filing service you can upload documents as PDFs or WORD Documents. In the case of WORD Documents, the “/s/” notation is often used to represent that a signature bears on the original document. If you upload a WORD document, our user-friendly system will convert it to a PDF, for filing purposes. Be sure to check with your local court as to their requirements and preferences, as some courts want to see an actual signature rather than “/s/”.

Yes. E-filing fees may be recoverable as costs upon judgment pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure §§1033.5(a)(14) and (15).