E-filing (electronic filing) is a way to file and deliver your court forms over the Internet. If you don't have an attorney, it is up to you whether you want to e-file your papers. You can still bring your papers to the courthouse, but if you e-file, it saves you the trip. If you and the other side both e-file, all future papers in the case are delivered (served and filed) through NYSCEF, the New York State Courts E-filing system.
Reasons to E-FileTo e-file, the answer must be Yes to all the questions below.
Is e-filing available in your county, court and case type? If you got a notice about e-filing when you were served with the court papers, e-filing is available in your case. If you are starting a new case, e-filing is only available in some Appellate, Court of Claims, Supreme, Supreme Civil and Surrogate cases. Check Courts, Counties and Case Types.
Have you already made your court papers? The e-filing website does not make court papers, like an Answer or a Motion. Make your papers first then come back to upload and e-file them. Need information? Visit a Court Help Center or the CourtHelp website.
Do you have a computer with internet access?
Do you have an Email Address that you regularly check?
Do you have PDF/A viewing software on your computer? If not, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.
Do you have a scanner or software to turn your court papers into PDF/As?
Do you have a Visa, Master Card or American Express Credit Card to pay for filing fees? If you can't afford the fee, you must first apply for a Fee Waiver from the court.
Create an AccountBefore you can e-file your court papers you must get a user name and password by creating an account. The process is different if you want to start a new case, or file papers in an existing case.
NYSCEF has an e-filing training website for attorneys and unrepresented litigants. If you want to practice e-filing you must create a training site account.
Create a Training Site Account.
Visit the Training Site.
The NYS Court System is expanding e-filing and wants to know what you think.
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