Electronic filing or e-filing enables filers and courts to efficiently process documents and fees online.

E-FileTexas.gov manages the flow of information among filers, clerks, court personnel, and judges:

• After selecting a certified electronic filing service provider (EFSP), filers log on to the providers’ website to file case-related documents online to any participating court in Texas.
• Filer Submits Documents.
• EFSPs check submissions for completeness, calculate filing fees and court costs, and electronically deliver the submitted documents to participating courts.
• EFSP Delivers Documents to the Court.
• Court clerks receive the electronically filed documents and associated fees for processing and acceptance, review the documents, accept the filings or return them for correction, and provide an electronic timestamp notification to the filer for the accepted documents.
• Clerks Accept or Reject Submissions.

E-filing in Texas is facilitated by electronic filing service providers (EFSP), that is, web portals operated by independent companies that collect filings from filers and transmit them to E-FileTexas.gov.

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

Filers are responsible for accomplishing service of all filings as required by applicable court rules. For this purpose, filers may use the mail service, serve by hand delivery, send an e-mail, or use E-FileTexas.gov as it offers the option of electronic service of each filing to the designated service contact.

E-service is a feature provided by E-FileTexas.gov where documents are electronically served to other parties in a case via e-mail. Using this option, you can track when each party received and opened the filing.

Note: Transaction and service fees may apply depending on the EFSP used to perform e-service.

Yes, E-FileTexas.gov may be used to exchange documents between parties without filing the documents through the courts.

When you submit a filing, your service provider (EFSP) should display a message that it has been submitted. If you do not see that message shortly after your filing has been uploaded and sent, please contact your EFSP to confirm its submission.

Documents you wish to append to the pleading as exhibits or attachments should be specified as such. You may either attach the exhibits to your pleading or you may scan the exhibits or attachments behind the pleading and upload. It is not necessary to attach the exhibits separately. Please feel free to use either method, whichever is more convenient for you.

You may file more than one lead document in an envelope as long as you specify each separate pleading as a lead document. Only filings submitted as lead documents will receive our electronic file stamp.

To authorize the issuance and service fees via e-filing, go to the "Optional Services" section and select how many citations/subpoenas/writs are needed, and whether you wish to have a Sheriff or Private Process server execute the process. If service by private process, please be specific on how citation, writ, or subpoena shall be returned.

When a party electronically files an application to probate a document as an original will, the original will must be filed with the clerk within three business days after the application is filed.

Yes. You may use as many as you’d like.

The new platform will reduce costs for filers by up to 94%, and will provide for expanded e-filing in Texas using a proven system already operational in several States. The cost reduction is made possible by a shift in the funding mechanism for e-filing, from a transaction-based model to a small ($5-20), one-time fee paid per civil, justice, and criminal case.

Yes, reconfiguration will be necessary. An E-FileTexas representative will assist with this process as each county transition to the new system.

E-FileTexas.gov is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consult your local court rules for the court review timelines and schedules.

Unless a court chooses to adopt mandatory e-filing earlier by enacting local rules, e-filing will be mandatory in civil cases in the district courts, statutory county courts, constitutional county courts and statutory probate courts according to the following implementation schedule based upon the counties’ 2010 Federal Census population. Courts in counties with a population of:

1. 500,000 or more? January 1, 2014
2. 200,000 to 499,999? July 1, 2014
3. 100,000 to 199,999? January 1, 2015
4. 50,000 to 99,999? July 1, 2015
5. 20,000 to 49,999? January 1, 2016
6. 20,000? July 1, 2016

Most courts restrict e-filing to non-criminal cases, with the primary exception being the Court of Criminal Appeals. Specific case types per court can be viewed by logging into an EFSP of your choosing, selecting a particular court, and viewing their available options.

The list of courts currently accepting filings through the E-FileTexas.gov system is available on the active courts web pages.

Yes, all users must register prior to using E-FileTexas.gov.

Yes, support is provided by each service provider (EFSP) for their particular application.

Yes, support is provided by each service provider (EFSP) for their particular application.

Yes, pro se parties are eligible to use any EFSP for e-filing. However, it is not mandatory they do so.

Yes, E-FileTexas can be used to initiate cases, e-file into existing cases, or serve documents. Both attorneys and support staff can use the system under their own user names.

The date and time applied to your filing would be the submission date and time.

Yes, there are fees associated with filing documents electronically on the E-FileTexas.gov system:

• Standard court filing fees; Contact your local court for information on filing fee.
• Service provider fees.
• Some EFSPs charge fees for e-filing and related services. These fees vary by EFSP and transaction.

No, as long as your current EFSP has been certified to submit filings to E-FileTexas.gov, there is no need to switch providers.

Select the closest filing type that is relevant to your document.