FAQ /Civil and Family eFiling 

Is electronic filing (eFiling) mandatory?

E-Filing is mandatory for all civil cases except:
* Adoptions;
* Bond Validations;
* Ex Parte Motions;
* Foreign Judgments (Domestic and Non-Domestic);
* Open Adoption Records;
* Surrogacy Declaratory Judgment;
* Temporary Protective Orders;
* Termination of Parental Rights

I do not have an e-mail account and do not have easy access to a computer...how do I still eFile?

E-Filing is mandatory, but the Court does recognize exceptions.  If you do not have an e-mail account, you can submit the 'Electronic Filing Waiver Request' and the 'Order Granting Relief From Electronic Filing'.  These forms are only provided inside the Courthouse.  The 'Waiver' needs to be notarized (by the Sheriff's Department) and the 'Order' needs to be signed (by Judge Tangela Barrie).  If the 'Order' is signed, your documents will be e-filed but a dummy account will be used. 

How do I register for an eFile GA account?

Please visit eFileGA to register.

Where can I eFile?

Once you have completed the registration process, you can e-file from any computer with internet access and an updated Internet browser.  You can also file from one of the Public Access Terminals (PATs) at the Courthouse (Ground Floor).   

What is the charge to eFile?

When filing off-site (not at the Courthouse), there is a $19.00 convenience fee charged for the first envelope accepted into the case.  In addition, there is a 2% surcharge and $1.00 fee when using a credit or debit card.  eFiling convenience fees can be avoided by filing from one of the PATs in the Courthouse.  However, if using a credit or debit card, the 2% surcharge and $1.00 fee still applies.  

Do I have to pay to file my case?

Please see Civil Fees for a breakdown of Superior Court filing costs.  

I cannot afford to pay the filing fee...what can I do?

If unable to pay the filing or e-filing fees, you can apply for an Affidavit of Poverty.  See the 4th Standing Order Regarding In Forma Pauperis Filings for the types of supporting documentation required by the Judges.  Affidavit of Poverty packets can be picked up from Family Law OR printed here.   

How can I pay for the filing fees?

See Civil Fees for details.  Filing fees can be paid off-site via credit card and debit card.  Filing fees can be paid on-site via credit card, debit card, business check, money order, or cash. 

How can I pay for publication?

See Civil Fees for details.  Champion Newspaper fees can be paid ONLY via check or money order.  If eFiling off-site, the check or money order needs to be mailed in or brought in to the Courthouse.

After eFiling, how do I know if my filings were accepted or rejected?

Acceptance and rejection e-mails will go to whichever e-mail was used when submitting an envelope.  If the envelope was rejected, the reason for the rejection should be included in the e-mail.

If filing at the Courthouse via the PATs, make sure to get in line for the Civil filings windows and have a Clerk accept your envelope. 

I do not understand why my filing was rejected...who can I contact?

Please contact one of our direct support numbers for assistance:  (404) 371-4776 OR (404) 687-3874 OR (404) 371-3267. 

Can I e-serve documents to other parties via eFileGA?

This cannot be done for initial filings (new cases).  A formal process of service is required when initiating a case:  Acknowledgement of Service OR Sheriff's Entry of Service OR Affidavit of Service.  

For subsequent filings, you can select 'EFileAndServe' for the filings that you would like to have e-mailed to all service contacts.  However, some other type of service (Sheriff's Service/Process Server) is usually required by the Judges.

Is there a charge for the Sheriff's Department to serve the parties?

Yes.  There is a $50.00 fee for service performed by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.  Parties to be served must have a DeKalb County address.

Will I know when other parties eFile into my case?

If other parties or filers in the case choose the 'EFileAndServe' filing type, any parties or filers that have their information listed as a service contact (due to filing or adding contacts) will receive an e-mail notification with a link to the accepted documents.  If only the 'EFile' filing type is selected, no e-mail notification will be generated for other parties and filers.

In addition, some other type of service (Sheriff's Service/Process Server) is usually required by the Judges.

Can I add additional service contacts?

Yes.  Please visit eFileGA User Guides for details. 

How do I prepare/scan documents for eFile?

All documents will need to be scanned separately to file as separate lead documents (except for Affidavit of Poverty cases).  All documents must be saved as a PDF.  Proposed Orders need to also be saved as .doc/.docx.

It is recommended that you scan documents in black and white, and no smaller than 300dpi.  Individual scans cannot be larger than 25mb; envelopes cannot be larger than 35mb.  If the scans or envelope exceeds these amounts; you can try to rescan them at 200dpi.

Once your documents have been scanned and saved, you will be uploading each lead document when selecting the appropriate filing code and filing description.  

I do not have a scanner...where can I find one?

Documents can be scanned at the DeKalb County Courthouse, Ground Floor, at one of the eight PATs in our lobby.  There is no fee to scan at the Courthouse.

Where can I go to file my paperwork if I do not have a home or office computer?

You can file at the Courthouse via the PATs or the Law Library (4th Floor, Administrative Tower).

I created my document as a word document...how do I convert it to PDF?

When saving the word document, choose the 'Save As' option and select the PDF format as the 'Save As Type'.

Another option is to print the document to a PDF writer.  You should see an option in the printer selection for Adobe PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF.

I still have questions, who can I contact?

If you have questions about the Civil eFiling process, please contact one of our direct support numbers for assistance:  (404) 371-4776; (404) 687-3874; (404) 371-3267; (404) 371-4742.