Initiate a New Case

Not all courts allow new case initiation through TrueFiling. If case initiation is available, the Initiate New Case button is visible on the Bundle Assembly page once you've selected the court. The court determines which case types can be initiated through TrueFiling.

A court may be configured to allow multiple case initiations to a single court submitted in a batch. Please see Bulk Filings for details.

TIP:  Perform a search to ensure your case doesn't already exist.

The court and case type you want to initialize determines what information you must provide. The process for case initiation is somewhat standard. However, the user input required is completely dependent on the court and case type you choose.

1. In the navigation pane, under Main Pages, select File.
2. Select the Court you'll file in. You can also begin typing the Court in the field to filter the list.
3. Select Initiate a New Case from the Action field drop-down list.
4. Select the Filer field to display a list of possible filers. Click herehere to view details about the filers available in this field's drop-down list.

    

    

   The Filer field lists available filers. If you specified a TrueFiling user role, your name will be listed. See Manage your TrueFiling User Role to learn more.

   The list is also populated with eligible filers you're connected to. Note that, if you file on behalf of a connection, you are considered the submitter, and the connection is considered the filer. If you submit on a connection's behalf, you are listed on the History page as the Submitter.

   In some court systems, a connection must explicitly grant you permission to file on their behalf. If a connection has not granted this permission, that connection will not be listed in the Filer field drop-down. See Connections with Specified Permissions for details.

   If you are a member of a TrueFiling organization, and the Organization Administrator has granted you permission to file on the organization's behalf, the organization will be listed. If these conditions are met, your organization(s) will be listed in the Filer field drop-down on the Bundle Assembly page. If you select the organization as the Filer, you will be recognized as the submitter filing on behalf of the organization. See File on an Organization's Behalf to learn more.

   If the filer you want isn't listed, click Where's my filer.

    

5. Select the Filer. If you're filing on behalf of a connection, select their name. This person will be listed on the History page as the Filer once the bundle is submitted.

If you cancel out of the case initiation process and re-start it using a different court, you'll need to re-select the filer.

6. Select the Case Category or Case Type. The type you select determines the forms you'll use to initiate the case.
7. Click Next to move between form tabs or form panes.
8. Input the Party Details or Party Information; for example, the plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, and representing attorneys.
9. Input the Case Information or Case Details.

A notice is displayed if the court requires specific filing documents to be submitted with the case initiation forms.

10. To upload any required filing documents, click Choose File (or Browse) and locate and select the appropriate document file in the dialog displayed.

In some courts, you may be able to download a required document, such as a cover sheet. Complete the form, save it to your computer, and then upload it as detailed in step 9.

11. Click Finish or Save.

The Bundle Assembly page is displayed. The case initiation form and any filings are listed. You may also be able to upload any additional required filing documents.

If enabled by the court, an edit option will be available so you can modify the information you input in the case initiation form. You cannot, however, edit the case title or case type. You can also edit saved case initiation forms you retrieve through the Unsubmitted option on the History page.

The court determines if case initiation filings can be served. If servicing is not allowed, the Serve Document option will not be available on the Bundle Assembly page.

12. Proceed to select any required service recipients.
13. Submit the filing bundle and check out.

In some courts for certain civil cases, if the case involves monetary claims, TrueFiling will compute the filing fee you'll be charged based on the claim amount you input in the Case Information or Case Details section.

Once you've submitted the case initiation filing to the court, a temporary case number is assigned.

 

If you selected to e-Serve the filings, a Proof of Service is generated and delivered to the Clerk. Based on court configuration, a Proof of Service may be generated for the entire filing bundle, or a Proof of Service may be generated for each filing document in the bundle.

 

The court will review the case initiation submission and related documents. If the case is accepted, a permanent case number will be assigned.