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

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

2. What are the rules that were created for eFiling?

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, 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. 

3. Am I required to eFile?

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 eFiling can be found on the Judicial Committee on Information Technology website.

4. How do I create text-searchable PDFs?

The Judicial Committee on Information Technology (members appointed by the Texas Supreme Court) standards require all eFiled documents to be in a text-searchable PDF. Documents in Microsoft Word can be saved as text searchable PDFs. Simply click “Save As” and a new window will pop up. Under the text field for the file name is a drop down menu. Click the drop down menu and select “PDF.” Once you have clicked “Save”, you will have a PDF document that is text searchable. That document will have a “.pdf” extension in the file name.

5. What personal information cannot be included in eFiled 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 and credit card numbers, and government ID numbers. The rules also designates 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.

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).

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

A list of the electronic fling service providers can be found at eFileTexas.gov.

8. Why was my document rejected?

The Judicial Committee on Information Technology (JCIT) Standards allow for documents to be rejected for the following reasons:

• Insufficient Fees
• Insufficient Funds in the Payment Account
• Document is Addressed to Wrong Clerk
• Incorrect/Incomplete Information Submitted
• Incorrect Formatting
• PDF Documents Combined
• Document is Illegible/Unreadable
• Document Contains Sensitive Data

9. 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.”