eFiling

Electronic filing of court documents occurs through an electronic filing service provider (EFSP). The user creates an account and the eFiling system manages the flow of the documents and fees to and from the court. The filer will submit the documents to the EFSP for submission to the court. The court will accept or reject the documents. The documents are returned to the EFSP for return to the filer through the EFSP’s electronic filing portal.

Registration as an electronic filer is required to establish an account for your electronically filed documents. Your account will allow you to check the status of your electronically filed documents and will provide a path for the court to return your documents to you.

eFilings must be submitted through an authorized Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP). Each EFSP may charge a transaction fee. EFSP fees are waived for parties with an active fee waiver and government entities. A list of authorized EFSPs is maintained on the Court’s website. Filings will not be accepted by this Court through any other electronic methods (i.e., email or fax). 

Yes, unless you have an approved fee waiver or valid government exemption (see Government Code Section 6103). The EFSP will charge the filing fee(s) for your documents and any applicable service or convenience fees. All fees are collected by the EFSP when the filing is submitted, but only the filing fees will be transmitted to the court.

• Civil
• Family Law
• Probate
• Small Claims

No.  Use of eFiling is permissive and in-person filings will continue to be accepted at the Clerk’s office. eFiling can be changed to a mandatory requirement at any time through further orders of this Court.

Any documents received electronically by the Court between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on any court day, are deemed filed that same day. Any documents received electronically on a non-court day (i.e., weekend or holiday) are deemed filed on the next court day.

Yes. The eFiling system adheres to state and federal security regulations and meets Payment Card Industry Security Standards to protect filer and transaction information.

Yes. You may choose any EFSP. You may change to a different service provider at any time. Selecting and using an EFSP is similar to using an “attorney service” for filings, except the types of filings processed are electronic.

Yes, self-represented parties are eligible to use the site for eFiling.

A Notice of Rejection will be sent by the court through your EFSP and will include the reason for the return of the document. If your document is rejected, correct the deficiency, and resubmit the document.

The first point of contact for any question should be your EFSP. If you have a question about a filing which has already been submitted, please contact the corresponding clerk’s office.

Documents should be uploaded in the same way they would be filed at the clerk’s window; a document that would be stapled together at filing should be uploaded as one PDF document. You may upload multiple PDF documents in one filing submission. For example, if you were to file a Motion, a Proposed Order, and a Proof of Service, you would upload them as three separate PDF documents in one eFiling submission.

Refer to your EFSP’s technical requirements for guidance

Documents submitted through eFiling must be in PDF Format, text searchable, and viewable on any standard PDF viewer.

Yes, all documents equal to or exceeding 10 pages and containing multiple exhibits or sections must be bookmarked with the title of the corresponding exhibit or section.  All documents submitted electronically must include page numbers.

Yes, pursuant to California Rule of Court, rule 2.256(b)(3), a document filed electronically must be text searchable.  For assistance you can contact the filer support number for the electronic service provider you are using.

Yes. Judicial Council forms are fillable and can be uploaded for eFiling.

Yes. Forms completed using third party software can be eFiled as an uploaded PDF. Documents submitted via eFiling must be text searchable.

No. Retention of original signed documents is governed by California Rules of Court, rule 2.257 and Code of Civil Procedure Section 1010.6.

Yes. The Trial Court Records Manual recommends 300 DPI resolution. DPI refers to the output resolution of the scanner when a document is scanned. This only applies if you’re scanning and attaching any document(s).

No. Documents should not be password protected and will be rejected if the content cannot be viewed.

A Filing Document Name refers to the type of filing (e.g. answer, demurrer, motion, etc.) and is used by the EFSP to properly designate the document(s) upon submission. Using the correct Filing Document Name is extremely important as it determines the appropriate fee and court workflow. The court has made every effort to develop a comprehensive list of document names that closely match the type of document(s) that may be submitted.

If you are unable to identify the document you are filing in the list of document names, you must use the name of the document that most closely describes your filing and includes the correct filing fee, if any. If you are unsure about the document name(s), please check that the filing fee(s) are correct before submitting your document(s). There is a “comments” field if you need to include any additional explanation for the filing staff.

If multiple documents are filed in one submission, the lead document is the one that is most important. For example, if you were filing a motion with a supporting declaration and a proof of service, the motion would be the lead document. It is important to properly identify the lead document as this will affect the priority and timing for processing by the court and ensures that the document is directed to the appropriate location or court personnel.

Submissions cannot be cancelled after they have been completed in the EFSP. Please double check your documents and any data entry prior to completing your submission.

Contact the corresponding clerk’s office as soon as possible.

The following documents are excluded from eFiling and must be submitted in paper format:

• Original will and codicil
• Bonds/undertaking
• Exhibits to be lodged for hearings or trials.
• Subpoenaed documents
• Copy requests
• Any document ordered by The Court to be submitted in paper format

Yes. You can use your personal computer to submit filings through an EFSP. You will use the internet to select the EFSP and submit your documents for filing. You will upload the document as an attachment. For instructions, refer to your EFSP’s website.

The act of eFiling alone does not constitute consent to electronic service. Parties must provide either express or affirmative consent to electronic service. See California Rules of Court, rule 2.251 for more information.

Electronic Filing and Service Judicial Council Forms:

Consent to Electronic Service and Notice of Electronic Service Address (EFS-005-CV)

Withdraw of Consent to Electronic Service (EFS-006)

No. Documents that are electronically filed and accepted by the court are automatically uploaded to the court’s case management system. The electronic record is the official court record pursuant to Government Code Section 68150(a).

Filing parties may view submitted documents immediately through their EFSP’s portal. All other parties will be able to view a document after filing by the court. A document is not considered filed until it is accepted by the court.

Turnaround time will depend on the type of document filed. You should receive an immediate confirmation from your EFSP provider if the submission was successful and you will receive additional correspondence upon the filing or rejection of your document(s) through the EFSP.

In addition to failing to follow California Rules of Court, rules 2.100 et seq. ,some common reasons a filing may be rejected by the Court include, but are not limited to:

• Documents are incorrectly submitted as a single or separate PDF, e.g. multiple documents are submitted as a single PDF document when they should be separate entries.
• Information entered in data fields is incorrect or does not match the document image e.g., the incorrect Filing Document Name is selected, case number does not match, and the party’s name and/or address does not match.
• Incorrect payment type is selected, e.g., fee waiver or government exemption.
• Incorrect case type, case category, or party type is selected.
• Incorrect court location is selected.
• Duplicate submission.
• Untimely submission, e.g., ex parte application submitted after filing deadline.
• Document(s) do not meet California Rules of Court or Local Rule guidelines.

When submitting motions with supporting documents, each document may be included in the same submission. However, all documents, including any proposed order, must be submitted as separate PDF document entries.

No. Acceptance of a fee waiver simply means the document was accepted for filing. You will receive an order from the Court granting or denying your request for a fee waiver.

The proposed order marked “Received”, will be electronically transmitted back to the submitting party by the EFSP.

Once a proposed order is reviewed and signed by a judicial officer, the court will transmit the signed order back to the filer. If the filer has requested electronic service, the filed order will be returned via email to the email address provided to the court. If the filer has not requested electronic service, the signed order will be mailed to the address provided to the court or held at the court for pick up by the party.

Please fill out Local Form M-71 and submit it to the Court through your EFSP. Your EFSP should not charge you any fees for submitting this document. Refund requests will be reviewed by the Court and if approved, refunds will be issued directly to the EFSP. Processing times may vary but can take upwards of 8 weeks.

No. The court will not electronically serve other parties on behalf of another party. Contact your EFSP for options.

The EFSP may provide the option to send a confirmation email to another email address other than what is indicated in your registered account. The confirmation email is not considered electronic service.

Yes. A Proof of Service must be filed pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.251(j)(1) - (3).

The filer may not establish a document’s security level. In other words, a document submitted as “confidential” by the filer will only become confidential pursuant to legal authority or if that determination is made by the court. For example, a limited civil unlawful detainer complaint would automatically be filed as a confidential document pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2.