District Clerk -- Efile Home page
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where can I find the
Rules for document formatting?
A: Please refer to Rule 21
of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Specifically, note that the formatting requirements are listed in Rule
21(f)(8) which includes that all document formatting must “comply with the
[current] Technology Standards set by the Judicial Committee on Information
Technology and approved by the Supreme Court. These Technology Standards are available on
this website and at: http://www.txcourts.gov/jcit/technology-standards.aspx.
Q: What is a Lead Document? Should I submit my filing as a Lead Document
or as an Attachment?
A: We rarely receive any
document that qualifies as an attachment under the e-file system. Most documents that are typically defined as an
attachment should be contained within the PDF of the lead document. If the paper document(s) would be in a single
staple when filed, then the electronic document should be in a single PDF
document.
If a supporting document
needs to be file-marked, it should be submitted as a separate Lead Document
within the same e-file envelope.
Proposed Orders are
submitted as a separate Lead Document and should not require a cover letter.
Examples:
Items
included within lead documents: exhibits and other required attachments, such
as supporting affidavits.
Items
to file as an attachment: volume 2, submitted as a continuation of the lead
document when the document size exceeds the allowable 32MB.
Q: How do I submit a
proposed order?
A: Proposed orders are
submitted as a separate lead document - without a cover letter. If submitted along with a pleading or motion,
the proposed order is submitted as a separate lead document within the same
e-file envelope. NOTE: Always select the e-file document type “Proposed
Order” when submitting an order for consideration.
Q: What is the procedure
for protective orders and other expedited matters?
A: Time Sensitive – Contact the office at (432)
498-4290 to alert us that you have a time sensitive matter to file.
Protective Orders - You will e-file your
application, affidavit, and proposed order in one envelope, with each document
presented as a separate lead document.
NOTE: Do not e-file the required TCIC forms - These
forms are not filed for record and are provided to law enforcement only. You may hand deliver these to our office at
the time of the hearing.
Q: Do I need a cover letter?
A: Cover letters are not
needed in order to provide instructions to the Clerk. Please include any instructions within the
comments section of the e-file envelope.
Q: My document was returned for correction. Will the file-mark
show the original submission date/time?
A: In order to retain the
original submission date/time when the document is file-marked, you must use
the “Resubmit” feature on your returned envelope. If you submit the same document in a new e-file
envelope, it will receive a new date/time for the file-mark.
Q: What are the reasons the
clerk may return my document for corrections?
A: All documents (including
document formatting) should be in compliance with the current Technology
Standards as adopted and published by the Judicial Committee on Information
Technology. (http://www.txcourts.gov/jcit/technology-standards.aspx)
Examples:
| Insufficient Fees |
Fees
submitted are insufficient. Please resubmit your filing with the correct case
type/filing type. |
TRCP 99(d) and Gov’t Code,
§51.318(b)(7) and (8)
Gov’t Code §51.317(a)
Local Gov’t Code §118.052;
§118.121; or §118.131 |
| Insufficient Funds |
Credit
Card was declined. Please resubmit with a valid method of payment. |
TRCP 99(d) and Gov’t Code,
§51.318(b)(7) and (8)
Gov’t Code §51.317(a)
Local Gov’t Code §118.052;
§118.121; or §118.131 |
| Document Addressed to Wrong Clerk |
The
document is addressed to a court for which this clerk’s office does not accept
filings. Please correct or re-file with the appropriate
clerk’s office. |
|
| Duplicate New Case Filing |
The
filing requesting a new case duplicates an existing case. Please file under the
existing case. |
|
Incorrect/
Incomplete Information |
Please
resubmit using the correct/complete information:
* Cause number
* Case Type
* Case Category
* Filing Code
* Party names on document(s)
* Attorney/Party email address(es)
* Required forms
* Information required
by Statute
|
Family Code
§102.008 and
§105.006
require identification of children by name and DOB
TRCP 79
Civil Practices and Remedies Code 30.015
|
| Incorrect Formatting |
Please resubmit the document
* By rotating the document so that the file mark will appear in
the upper right corner
* In text searchable PDF
* Directly converted to PDF if possible
* With a 300dpi resolution
* With a page size of 8.5" x 11"
* With no embedded fonts |
TRCP 21 (f)(8)
|
| PDF Documents Combined |
You have submitted
multiple documents for filing in a single PDF. The file-mark will only appear on documents submitted as
lead documents. Please file all lead documents as separate PDF documents.
|
|
Illegible/
Unreadable |
Please resubmit in a format that is legible. |
|
| Sensitive Data |
Please resubmit with all sensitive data redacted:
* DL, SSN, Passport Number, Tax ID Number,
Government Issued ID Number
* Bank Account Number, Credit Card Number,
Financial Account Number
* Birth Date, Home Address and name of any person
who was a minor when the suit was filed |
TRCP 21c (a-f)
TRAP 9.10 |
| Filer's Request |
The filer requested that this filing be returned.
|
|
| Judge's Request |
The judge requested that this filing be returned. |
|