eFiling Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. What is the phone number I should call for support with efile.txcourts.gov?
  2. What are the rules that were created for e-filing?
  3. Am I required to e-file?
  4. How do I create text-searchable PDF’s?
  5. What personal information cannot be included in e-filed documents?
  6. How do I access file-stamped copies?
  7. Who are certified Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs)?
  8. Why was my document rejected?
  9. E-Filing Documents
  10. Who do I contact if I didn’t receive a file-stamped copy of the petition?
  11. If I e-file a document at 8:15 in the evening, will it be file stamped the next working day?
  12. Are Termination and Adoption Cases going to be E-filed? Are all types of Civil and Family cases going to be e-filed?
  13. Which documents will I be able to view on the eFile.TXCourts.gov site once I have filed?
  14. Will we be able to file orders thru e-filing?
  15. If eFiling with eFile.TXCourts.gov, how do I contact eFile.TXCourts.gov about questions regarding the use of their site?
  16. Do the rules of civil procedure require that the party requesting a citation provide service copies to the clerk?
  17. What do the “OAG Use Only” filing codes mean?
  18. Should I use my debit card to pay for filing fees?
  19. How can I contact electronic filing service providers directly for service inquiries and support?
  20. What should I do if I do not see the filing code I need?
  21. How do I electronically file a jury demand?

1. What is the phone number I should call for support with efile.txcourts.gov?

The number for Texas-specific e-filing support is 855-839-3453.

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2. What are the rules that were created for e-filing? 

  • Filing Deadline:Documents electronically filed before midnight on the filing date of the deadline are deemed timely filed. An electronically filed document is deemed filed when transmitted to an approved electronic filing service provider.
    • If filed Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, it is deemed filed the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.
    • If a motion and order is required to allow the filing of a document, it is deemed filed on the date the motion is granted.
  • Electronic Signature: A document can be electronically signed if “/s/” and a name are typed where the signature would appear, or an electronic image or scanned image of the signature is on the document
  • Stricken Documents: If a document fails to conform to Rule 21, the court may strike the document, identify the error to be corrected, and state a deadline for the party to resubmit the document in a conforming format. The substitute document must be deemed filed on the same day as the document that was struck.
  • Local Rule: According to existing local e-filing rules, which will continue to be in place once mandatory e-filing begins, documents requiring signatures (affidavits, documents requiring opposing party signatures, etc.) must be electronically filed along with the rest of the documents in the case. The filer is responsible to keep the original, and a court may eventually require the document to be filed in a traditional manner with the District Clerk.

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3. Am I required to e-file?

The Texas Supreme Court has mandated all attorneys to electronically file documents in a Bexar County civil case through an electronic filing service provider certified by the Office of Court Administration. Pro Se litigants may still hand file their documents. More information about e-filing can be found on the Judicial Committee on Information Technology (JCIT) website: www.txcourts.gov/jcit/electronic-filing/

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4. How do I create text-searchable PDF’s?

The Judicial Committee on Information Technology (members appointed by the Texas Supreme Court) standards require all e-filed documents to be in a text-searchable PDF. Documents in Microsoft Word can be saved as text searchable PDF’s with the following steps:

  • Click “Save As” and a new window will pop up.
  • Click the drop-down menu labeled "Save as type" below the field for the file name and select “PDF.”
  • Click “Save.”

That document will have a “.pdf” extension in the file name and will be text-searchable.

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5. What personal information cannot be included in e-filed documents?

The Supreme Court created new rules of civil procedure that include language prohibiting the filing of documents that contain un-redacted, sensitive data. If the sensitive data is redacted, the attorney must retain an original un-redacted document. Sensitive data includes social security numbers, taxpayer ID numbers, bank account, credit card numbers, and government ID numbers. The rules also designate as sensitive information the name, address, or birthday of a person who is a minor at the time of the filing of the suit. Sensitive data should not be included unless it is required by law, court rule, or administrative regulation. The court may strike any document that contains un-redacted data in violation of the rule.

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6. How do I access file-stamped copies?

File-stamped copies of documents you have filed are available to the filing attorney through your electronic service provider interface. In addition to the ability to access file-stamped copies on your account, you will also have copies emailed to the email address associated with your account, and you may opt to have a courtesy copy sent to the email address of your choice (a paralegal, or another attorney, for instance).

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7. Who are certified Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs)?

A list of the electronic filing service providers can be found here: http://efiletexas.gov/service-providers.htm

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8. Why was my document rejected?

The JCIT Technology Standards allow for documents to be rejected for the following reasons:

  • Insufficient fees
  • Insufficient funds in the Payment Account
  • The document is addressed to the wrong clerk
  • Incorrect/Incomplete information submitted
  • Incorrect formatting
  • PDF documents combined
  • The document is illegible/unreadable
  • Document contains sensitive data

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9. E-Filing Documents

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10. Who do I contact if I didn’t receive a file-stamped copy of the petition? 

You will need to contact your electronic filing service provider.

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11. If I e-file a document at 8:15 in the evening, will it be file stamped the next working day?

Pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21(f)(5):

  • “Timely Filing: A document is considered timely filed if it is electronically filed at any time before midnight (in the court's time zone) on the filing deadline. An electronically filed document is deemed filed when transmitted to the filing party's electronic filing service provider, except:

(A) if a document is transmitted on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, it is deemed filed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday; and

(B) if a document requires a motion and an order allowing its filing. It is deemed filed on the date the motion is granted.”

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12. Are Termination and Adoption Cases going to be E-filed? Are all types of Civil and Family cases going to be e-filed?

Yes, all civil and family cases will be e-filed.

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13. Which documents will I be able to view on the eFile.TXCourts.gov site once I have filed?

Any documents that were filed and accepted through eFile.TXCourts.gov will be available to be viewed.

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14. Will we be able to file orders thru e-filing?

Not at this time; however, Motions and Orders to set will be signed electronically if the date has been previously approved by the Bexar County District Clerk at 210-335-2000.

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15. If eFiling with eFile.TXCourts.gov, how do I contact eFile.TXCourts.gov about questions regarding the use of their site?

Visit http://www.efiletexas.gov/contacts.htm which will bring you to a webpage with several options, including an email address, phone number (1-855-839-3453), and even live chat with a customer service representative.

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16. Do the rules of civil procedure require that the party requesting a citation provide service copies to the clerk?

Yes, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99(d):

The party filing any pleading upon which citation is to be issued and served shall furnish the clerk with a sufficient number of copies thereof for use in serving the parties to be served, and when copies are so furnished the clerk shall make no charge for the copies.

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17. What do the “OAG Use Only” filing codes mean?

The filing codes with the words “OAG Use Only” are codes that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) uses to submit filings in their child support cases. The OAG and their representatives are the only filers allowed to use those filing codes. If a party other than a representative of the OAG uses one of those filing codes, they are risking document rejection, delays, and billing issues.

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18. Should I use my debit card to pay for filing fees?

Some of the electronic filing service providers (EFSPs) have said that it is not a good idea to pay the fees with a debit card. When the document is filed, the funds are encumbered in a pending transaction by the bank associated with the debit card. If for some reason the document is rejected, or something unexpected occurs, those funds could remain in that pending transaction for several days before the bank releases them. Although it is possible to pay with a debit card, EFSPs discourage it for the reason mentioned in this section.

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19. How can I contact electronic filing service providers directly for service inquiries and support?

EfileTexas.gov has a webpage with links to all the EFSP web pages, along with a comparison of the services they offer: http://efiletexas.gov/service-providers.htm

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20. What should I do if I do not see the filing code I need?

If you do not see the filing code you need for your document, please contact send an email to our support address dcefiling@bexar.org with the type of document you are trying to file and the name of your Electronic Filing Service Provider, and our support staff will guide you to the proper filing code.

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21. How do I electronically file a jury demand?

For new suits: Go to the optional services menu and select “jury demand jury fee paid” then click the “add” button.

For subsequent filings: Choose the “no fee document” filing code, then go to optional services menu and select “jury demand jury fee paid” then click the “add” button.

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