Civil and Family eFiling
https://efilega.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landingMandatory eFiling of Civil and Family Cases Instructions
Order Implementing Electronic-Filing for Civil Cases
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
**PLEASE READ THE MANDATORY eFILING ORDER AND eFILING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF YOUR FILING BEING REJECTED**
The DeKalb County Superior Court began mandatory e-filing January 1st, 2017 and went paperless January 1st, 2018. E-Filing is a way to securely transmit legal documents to a court. This is a paperless method for the court and provides easy access to customers. Documents can be filed from home/office (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or through Public Access Terminals in the DeKalb County Courthouse (8:30AM – 5:00PM, Monday thru Friday). Additional benefits include: instant access to file stamped copies; online tracking and proof of submission, acceptance, and/or rejection; and searching capabilities.
This process reduces data entry errors and the possibility of documents being misfiled. Any scanned or e-filed document will be available via Odyssey Portal immediately upon acceptance of the e-filed documents.
**Vital Statistics Report (found under FORMS & ORDERS) is now required when filing a Divorce. If the Vital Statistics Report is not submitted with the initial filing, eFile envelopes will be rejected.
eFILING FROM HOME / OFFICE
To setup your eFileGA account and electronically file your civil or family case, click here.
The Self Help section contains FAQs, User Guides, Self-Service and Web Training Sessions to help make the E-Filing process easier.
eFILING FROM DEKALB COUNTY COURTHOUSE
CREATING AND VERIFYING YOUR eFileGA ACCOUNT PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE COURTHOUSE WILL HELP TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS
Civil (Non-Domestic) and Family (Domestic) cases can also be e-filed from the Clerk of Superior Court's Office using PATs (Public Access Terminals). PATs are available Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM. If you need paperwork for any Family (Domestic) matter and some subsequent filings for Civil (Non-Domestic) matters: please contact the Family Law Information Center at 404-687-3990, located on the 1st floor of the Courthouse, Room 160, near the main entrance; OR you may download New Case Packets and Forms by clicking this link:
https://www.dekalbsuperiorcourt.com/family-law/forms/court-forms/
**PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW AND THE MANDATORY
eFILING ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF YOUR FILING BEING REJECTED**
eFILING INSTRUCTIONS
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR FILING NEW CASES
**Vital Statistics Report (found under FORMS & ORDERS) is now required when filing a Divorce. If the Vital Statistics Report is not submitted with the initial filing, eFile envelopes will be rejected.
The table below shows documents required to file a new case. Other documents may be required for your case (check with your Judge’s staff or Family Law for guidance). Click here for an example of Civil (Non-Domestic) Case filings; click here for an example of Family (Domestic) Case filings. Click here for Family (Domestic) and generic forms via the Family Law website.
POST JUDGMENT CASES
If filing into a case more than 30 days after the case has been closed/dismissed, a new case must be initiated, as required by OCGA 15-6-61 (a)(4)(A), and a $58.00 filing fee will be charged, as required by OCGA 15-6-77 (e)(1). There are five case types:
Family (Domestic):
Post Judgment Contempt - post judgment contempt filings on any Family (Domestic) case;
Post Judgment Modification - post judgment filings originating from a Modification case;
Post Judgment Family - miscellaneous post judgment filings on any Family (Domestic) case
Civil (Non-Domestic):
Post Judgment Non-Domestic Contempt - post judgment contempt filings on any Civil (Non-Domestic) case;
Post Judgment Civil - miscellaneous post judgment filings on any Civil (Non-Domestic) case
For examples, click here for Post Judgment Civil (Non-Domestic) case filings and here for Post Judgment Family (Domestic) case filings.
For service instructions, contact Family Law or the Judge's staff. Some Judges require service before completing a Rule Nisi, while other Judges will complete a Rule Nisi to include with service.
IN FORMA PAUPERIS (Poverty Affidavit) CASES
If you are initiating a new case and want to proceed in forma pauperis, you will use one of the following case types:
• Pauperis CV (Initiate) for Civil cases (Non-Domestic)
• Pauperis FM (Initiate) for Family cases (Domestic)
Affidavit of Poverty packets can be printed below. All initiated Poverty cases will be eFiled as one lead document. The Affidavit of Poverty (with any supporting documentation) will be first, followed by all other Poverty related documents, followed by the case documents. Please carefully read the 4th Standing Order Regarding in Forma Pauperis Filings – this explains the types of supporting documentation required by the Judges. You will need to create a Waiver payment account when eFiling this Affidavit of Poverty.
Click here for an example of Pauperis filings and order of documents.
If your Affidavit of Poverty is NOT approved, you will need to refile your paperwork as a new case (using the appropriate case type) and pay the appropriate filing fees. You will need to add a payment account that includes a credit or debit card. Please review the ‘Required Documents for Filing New Cases’ section above for examples on new case filings. A new case filing differs from the Affidavit of Poverty in that each document will need to be scanned and uploaded as separate lead documents (not filed as one large document).
If your Affidavit of Poverty is approved, you will still need to refile your paperwork as a new case (using the appropriate case type) but will NOT have to pay any filing fees. You must include the approved Order on Affidavit of Poverty and you will once again use the waiver payment account that you created. Please review the ‘Required Documents for Filing New Cases’ section above for examples on new case filings. A new case filing differs from the Affidavit of Poverty in that each document will need to be scanned and uploaded as separate lead documents (not filed as one large document).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SERVICE
For service (for new cases): Acknowledgment of Service OR Sheriff’s Entry of Service OR Affidavit of Service (from Process Server…filed as subsequent).
For service (for subsequent filings): check with Family Law for acceptable forms of service.
If filing by publication: Affidavit of Diligent Search/Due Diligence; Notice of Publication; Order of Publication (submitted as Proposed Order).
PROCESS SERVER AFFIDAVITS AND ORDERS
eFiling into the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court occurs once the Order Appointing Permanent Process Server for Calendar Year has been signed by the Judge. The Order and the Affidavit of Compliance of Applicant for Appointment as a Permanent Process Server (one Affidavit for each Process Server listed on the Order) are the only documents eFiled.
Applications are NOT eFiled with the Court but submitted for review by the Chief Judge Asha Jackson. For information on applying to be a Process Server, please click here.
Requirements for Process Server eFilings:
Order Appointing Permanent Process Server for Calendar Year, signed by the Judge (original) AND the Affidavit of Compliance of Applicant for Appointment as a Permanent Process Server for each Process Server listed on the Order;
Confirm that names are spelled correctly on the Order (Order and Affidavit should match) and if they do not match, email your issue to kjmartin@dekalbcountyga.gov;
If more than one Process Server listed on the Order, upload individual Affidavits as separate lead documents;
$213.00 filing fee (covers one (1) Process Server) and $8.00 per each additional Process Server listed on the Order;
If adding additional party fees: click under ‘Add Optional Services and Fees’; select ‘Additional Party’ option from the drop down; and input the appropriate quantity. For example, if three (3) total parties, only two (2) quantity is added - the total for additional party fees will be $16.00.
PROPOSED ORDERS
Proposed Orders are any un-signed orders (Final Decree, Rule Nisi, Order on Affidavit of Poverty, Child Support Addendum, etc.). Filer must use the ‘Proposed Order’ filing code and upload the document twice (first as PDF and second as a .doc/.docx document).
Click here for an example.
EXHIBITS
There are three options to file exhibits:
Option 1) Scan the pleading and exhibit as one document to be uploaded as one lead document (use the appropriate filing code to match the pleading);
Option 2) If filing exhibits with no pleading, include a Notice of Filing (use ‘Notice of Filing’ as the filing code) and scan the Notice of Filing and exhibit as one document to be uploaded as one lead document;
Option 3) If filing exhibits with no pleading and filing a Notice of Filing (use ‘Notice of Filing’ as the filing code) as a lead document, add Exhibits (use ‘Exhibits’ as the filing code) as a lead document for each exhibit cited in the Notice of Filing. Click here for an example of Option 3.
OPEN DEFAULT
Use ‘Open Default’ as the filing code for the document being filed (Notice, Motion, Answer, etc.). This will automatically generate the $214.00 filing fee. If there is an additional amount that you need to pay, you can add this under ‘Optional Services and Fees’. Select ‘Open Default’ option and add additional payment under quantity (if paying additional $50.00, enter ‘50’ into quantity).
Click here for an example of an Open Default filing.
FILING CODES
Use a separate filing code for ALL Original Signed Pleadings. We provide a comprehensive list of filing codes for you to select from.
If you are unable to find a code that matches your pleading, please call one of our direct support numbers for assistance: (404) 371-4776 OR (404) 687-3874 OR (404) 371-3267.
FORMS & ORDERS (All forms below are in PDF format)
FORMS
COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTION
- The filing code does not match the document
- This case cannot be E-Filed
- Exhibits(s) filed incorrectly
- Bar number error
- Filed in the wrong County
- Filed in the wrong Court location
- Signature is missing
- Incomplete information
- Payment is required
- Use a separate filing code for each document
- Illegible/Improper document format
- Rejected…see comment for reason
CONTACTS
If you have questions or concerns about any Civil and Family processes, please click here to send an email.
Helpful Links
The Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence
Phone: 404-370-7670
24 hour crisis line: 404-688-9436
Phone: 404-270-9894
Toll Free: 1-866-717-9317
Criminal Record Search
Criminal Case information can be viewed by using our Online Judicial System (Odyssey) at DeKalb County - Judicial Information System (tylertech.cloud)
Clerk of Superior Court
Criminal Division
556 North McDonough Street
Ground Floor
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2836
