Filer Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sacramento eFiling for Courts?

eFiling for Courts is the official electronic filing solution of the State of California. It enables filers to submit civil court documents (especially Unlawful Detainer cases) electronically to participating County and District Clerks throughout the state.

The eFiling for Courts is made possible by the Superior Court of Sacramento, the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, the Office of Court Administration and leading officials of many local governments. The result is a secure, easy-to-use system that streamlines and manages the two-way flow of information between filers, clerks and court personnel.
What makes eFiling for Courts different from other e-filing initiatives?
eFiling for Courts provides benefits to both filers and the Courts that other electronic filing models do not. With the eFiling for Courts model, filers throughout the state are free to select any participating e-filing vendor of their choice. Once a filer submits a document to his/her chosen electronic filing service provider (EFSP), the document is passed to the Clerk via Court eFiling system. Clerks are then able to log in to process filings electronically. Benefits of this model include:
  • Statewide standards for electronic filing rules and technology.
  • Filers are able to use the same vendor and filing process to file in any participating Court in State of California (which encourages usage of the system).
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    Is the system secure?
    Yes. Documents are sent safely and securely to and from the court. eFiling for Courts utilizes a three-tier architecture with multiple firewalls and full-time intrusion detection monitoring. The system is compliant with the security standards of the State of California and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), among other leaders in court management.
    What are the benefits of eFiling for Courts for my firm and me?
  • Convenience
            e-File from any location with Internet access. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Immediate Confirmation
            Know immediately that your filing has been submitted successfully to the Courthouse of your choice.
  • Cost Savings
            e-Filing fees are typically lower than your average courier or shipping fees. e-Filing for Courts also frees your in-house runners to perform other needed tasks.
  • Security
            Benefit from e-filing security that meets the security standards of the State of California and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), among other leaders in court management.
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    How does eFiling for Courts work? How will I know my filing was submitted successfully?
    In order to begin the efiling process, you must first login to your EFSP using your secure user name and password. You select the Court you wish to file in and complete your filing information online – just as you would on paper using your current filing process. You then select the Court services and EFSP services required for the particular filing. Next you upload the documents and any attachments associated with the filing. You then review your filing fees and verify that your documents uploaded correctly. Once you are satisfied with your filing, you click the submit button to send your filing to your EFSP. You will receive immediate confirmation that your filing was submitted successfully.
    Your EFSP then submits the filing to Sacramento Superior Court eFiling System for Courts. The Clerk logs in and processes your filing. You are then notified via email that your filing has been processed. To view your filing or your filing status at any time, you simply log into your EFSP. Once your filing has been accepted, you will also receive an electronic time and date stamped copy of your document.
    What fees are associated with e-filing through USCourtForms?
    When you e-file through USCourtForms, you will be able to review your filing fees online before you click the submit button. These per filing fees include:
  • Court fees you currently incur today when doing a paper filing.
        You will also be responsible for your Electronic Filing Service Provider fees. These vary by provider and may include a filing fee, a monthly fee, or an additional services fee depending on the additional services you select. Detailed EFSP fee structure information should be obtained directly from the EFSPs.
    • How are filing fees collected?
    Before you click the submit button to e-file your document, you will be presented with a fee total for your review, including Court fees and any EFSP fees incurred. Once you approve the fee total, filers are required to submit a credit card for processing along with the filing. Credit cards currently accepted are MasterCard and Visa. Some EFSPs may offer monthly billing or other payment options.
    What hardware or software do I need to e-file?
    In order to submit e-filed documents to the court, a filer must have the following:
  • A computer with Internet access.
  • Completed the registration process with an electronic service provider.
  • Adobe PDF Reader to read submitted and returned documents.
  • An optional scanner to submit non-electronic documents.
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    What days and hours can I e-file?
    The Sacramento e-filing rules allow most civil documents to be filed until 4:30 p.m. on the day of the filing deadline. Any E-Filing done after normal business hours of court will be processed the next business day.
         Please note, however, that the electronic filing of a document does not alter any filing deadlines.
    What time and date stamp do I receive when I e-file?
    The time and date stamp applied to your filing is the time and date on which you submit your filing to your EFSP. For example, if you submit your filing at 8:15 p.m. on Friday and the clerk does not accept your document until the next Monday, you would receive a time and date stamp of that monday.
    What document types does eFiling for Courts accept?
    This varies by EFSP, but most service providers accept the majority of standard document types such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, TIFF, or PDF.
    How can I e-file a document that requires a physical signature or exists only in paper format?
    You may submit these documents by simply scanning them at your office and then uploading the scanned electronic versions to Sacramento EFiling for Courts just like any other e-filed document.
    What Courts currently accept documents e-filed through Sacramento EFiling?
  • Civil Unlawful Detainer Limited, Bicentennial Circle
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    How can I learn more about eFiling for Courts?
    Click on Unlawful Detainer EFiling Manual in order to get the proper documentation regarding Sacramento EFiling.