Unrepresented Fact Sheet

Electronic filing (E-filing) is not required for people who do not have an attorney. If you choose not to e-file, you will file and serve all court papers in paper form and the other side must serve its court papers on you in paper form. However, you may choose to e-file. See more information below.

E-filing is a way to file and serve court papers through the internet. Unrepresented litigants may choose to e-file court papers online using the statewide NYSCEF system. If you and the other side both e-file, all future papers in the case are delivered (served and filed) through NYSCEF. E-filing can only be done in certain courts, counties and cases. You will need to make sure you can e-file before you start, so check the website or call the E-Filing Resource Center.

THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO E-FILING

E-filing is fast
E-filing saves you time
E-filing is available day and night, 24/7
E-filing has a Resource Center to assist
Free access to view and print your e-filed record

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO E-FILE

To e-file, the answer must be Yes to the following questions:

Is e-filing available in your county, court and case type? If you got a notice about efiling 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 certain courts and case types. Check our Authorized Case Types page.
Have you already prepared your court papers? The e-filing website does not create court papers, like an Answer or a Motion. Make up 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 court filing fees? If you can't afford the court fee, you must first apply for a Fee Waiver from the court.

TO CREATE AN E-FILING ACCOUNT

Go to NYSCEF and select Home Unrepresented Litigants on left side of screen.
Select the link named "Create an Account (Start a New Case)" or "Create an Account (Existing Case)" on the left side of screen:
1. If you are asking for an ID to start a case against another, select the option "Create an Account to Start a New Case" located in the middle of the screen.
  - Review the Website Terms of Use page, check the box to agree, then select continue. Fill out the electronic registration form on the website, and you will receive your user name and password immediately.
2. If you are asking for an ID for a case that has been started against you, select the option "Create an Account in an Existing Case" located in the middle of the screen.
  - Review the Website Terms of Use page, agree to the terms, then select continue. If you are filing into Family Court, fill out the electronic registration form on the website. Once your application is approved, you will receive a user name and password. For all other courts, fill out the electronic registration form on the website and then print it.
  - Sign the registration form in front of Notary Public.
  - Return the registration form by fax or e-mail to the E-Filing Resource Center.
You will usually receive your user name and password for an existing case in 1-2 days. However, if you need it faster, write "PLEASE EXPEDITE" on top of the registration form.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING AND/OR COURT PROCEDURES

E-Filing Websites: NYSCEF or NYSCEF for Unrepresented Litigants
E-Filing Resource Center help: by email at nyscef@nycourts.gov or by phone at 646-386-3033
Visit the CourtHelp website
Use Court Locator to contact the court
The Administrative and Legislative Rules that control electronic filing can be found on the NYSCEF website under the Rules & Legislation link.

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