FAQ
General Questions (Jump to EFiling FAQs or ECase FAQs)
- What is EClerk’s Counter?
- What products and services are available?
- How do I place an order?
- What if I forget my user name or password?
- Who can place an EClerk’s Counter order?
- What about electronic filing?
Costs and Payment
- What do the products and services cost?
- How do I order paper copies at a $1.00 per page when I don’t know the page count?
- How do I make payment?
- Can I charge my order and pay later?
- Can I use my debit card for my purchase?
- What is the EClerk’s Counter refund policy?
- When is my credit card payment processed?
- How is my payment shown on my credit card statement?
Technical Questions:
- How secure is my payment and credit card information?
- What hardware and software do I need for EClerk’s Counter?
- What is the format of the Case Record on CD?
Contact for Questions and Information:
What is EClerk’s Counter?
EClerk's Counter offers web-based products and services for which patrons can use credit cards to make payment for those with an associated charge. Communications about your order will issue from the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
What products and services are available?
EFiling is the newest service now available through EClerk’s Counter (to see further information about EFiling, click here). In addition, four other items are available with “products” to be mailed or delivered to you or for you to pick up at the Courthouse: a) order a copy of the case record on CD; b) order a copy of a writ application on CD; c) order paper copies; or d) check out the case record.
How do I place an order?
Obtain a Username and Password for EClerk’s Counter by clicking on Register on the EClerk's Counter home page. After you submit your request, you will receive an email requiring you to activate your account. Simply follow the instructions in the email to activate your account. You may then LOGIN and access the available services.
What if I forget my user name or password?
If you have forgotten your username, you can access the appropriate link to have your username sent to your email address. If you have forgotten your password, you can access the appropriate link to have a token and instructions sent to your email address so you can then go “online” to reset your password.
Who can place an EClerk’s Counter order?
Anyone can place an EClerk’s Counter order or cause a document to be uploaded for EFiling. Local Rule 8, however, instructs an attorney of record, or a party not represented by an attorney, about the content requirements of the document to be uploaded for EFiling.
In addition, there are two instances that may cause cancellation or restriction of an order:
1) Pursuant to law, certain cases are confidential or some of the documents filed in the case may contain confidential information. Only an attorney of record is entitled to view this information. Therefore, any “copy” of a confidential record, on CD or paper, is available ONLY to an attorney of record. If some of the documents filed in the case contain confidential information, the confidential information will be redacted before the order is processed.
2) Pursuant to rules of court, only an attorney of record may “check out” a record. No exhibits to a record are checked out in any case.
What about electronic filing?
The Court began offering electronic filing June 16, 2014 through EClerk’s Counter (to see further information about EFiling, click here). Additionally, the Court has an email notification program, ENotify, whereby participants are emailed issuances by the First Circuit Clerk's Office. To sign up for ENotification which requires a separate registration than that used for EClerk’s Counter, click here.
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What do the products and services cost?
| Product /Service | Format | DeliveryMethod | Cost |
| Case record | CD | Courthouse pickup | $5.00 |
| Case record | CD | Sent U.S. Mail | $5.00 |
| Case record | Check out | Courthouse pickup | None |
| Case record | Check out | Sent UPS | Actual shipping cost plus COD charge |
| Paper copy | Courthouse pickup | $1.00 per page | |
| Paper copy | Black/White | Sent U.S. Mail | $1.00 per page |
| Document Certification | $2.00 per document | ||
| Writ Application | CD | Sent U.S. Mail | $5.00 |
| Writ Application | CD | Courthouse pickup | $5.00 |
| EFiling | Electronically Uploaded | $50.00 for each document uploaded (plus regular filing fee if applicable) |
How do I order paper copies at $1.00 per page when I don’t know the page count?
There are certain documents that can be ordered over the web, such as an opinion or “all briefs” in a case. You will, however, need to submit the Copy Request Form online to get the number of pages prior to completing your EClerk’s Counter order. If the Clerk’s Office cannot determine with certainty the documents that you are ordering, you will need to come into the Courthouse to specifically identify the individual documents for copying.
To order paper copies:
Step 1
Click on Copy Request and fill out the Copy Request.
You will receive an email of your Copy Request.
You will then receive a Confirmation email once the Clerk's Office has processed your Copy Request.
Step 2
Once you receive the Confirmation email.
Click on Paper Copies Order.
Then enter your Copy Request Number and the number of pages from the confirmation email. If you indicated that any of the documetns should be certified, go to step 3.
Step 3
Click on Certification Order then enter your Copy Request Number and the number of certifications from the confirmation email.
Web-based credit card payment processing is available through EClerk’s Counter. If you are uploading a document for EFiling, the only payment method accepted is by VISA or MasterCard. Payment for all other orders that do not include uploading a document for EFiling may be made by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check, cash or money order.
Checks and money orders can be mailed to the Court with a copy of the order enclosed. Cash payment cannot be mailed.
Payment is required to be received by the Court in advance for products to be mailed. If a checked-out case record is shipped UPS COD, UPS will collect payment upon delivery.
If a product is to be picked up at the Courthouse, payment shall be made at the time of pickup by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check, cash or money order.
The Clerk's Office will never request Credit Card or payment information through email.
Can I charge my order and pay later?
No.
Can I use my debit card for my purchase?
Yes; however, the transaction will be processed as a credit card transaction.
What is the EClerk’s Counter refund policy?
For EFiling, if a filing fee was paid for a document uploaded for EFiling and the filing fee was not required, or was in excess of the amount required, the Clerk's Office will contact the payor to initiate a refund of the excess payment.
Other refunds will be issued in the following circumstances:
1. A copy fee overpayment arose from a Clerk’s Office administrative error.
2. A copy fee was not required pursuant to the Public Records Law.
To claim this refund, contact the Clerk's Office at 225-382-3000.
When is my credit card payment processed?
Credit card payments are processed immediately.
How is my payment shown on my credit card statement?
The statement should be listed with payment to 1stcircuiteclerk or an abbreviation of this name in the description. If you have questions about any listed item on your statement, contact your financial institution to assist you in identifying to whom the payment was made.
How secure is my payment and credit card information?
The Court’s system and its merchant account servicer both use 128-bit SSL encryption to protect on-line payments. In addition, individual credit card information is not stored on the Court’s system and court employees cannot access any information residing on the merchant account servicer system.
What hardware and software do I need for EClerk’s Counter?
1. A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh
2. Internet service
3. A web browser like Netscape Navigator 4.6 or 4.7, Netscape 7.x, Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0
4. An email address
5. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed for viewing PDF documents. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from www.adobe.com.
What is the format of the files on CD?
PDF format.
Who do I contact if I need assistance or additional information not covered in the questions listed above?
Contact the Clerk of Court's Office at (225) 382-3000. (Note: communications from EClerk’s Counter about your order will issue from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. but this email address cannot receive emails and is not monitored.)
EFiling
Return to EClerk’s Counter FAQs
General Questions
- What is EFiling?
- Is EFiling mandatory?
- What documents can be EFiled?
- Can EFiling be prohibited?
- Is a registration process required to use EFiling?
- How much does it cost to EFile?
- Who can upload a document for EFiling?
- Can I EFile and pay later?
- Who will be notified that the Court has received my EFiling?
- When is EFiling available?
Technical Questions:
- Are there special restrictions on a document to be uploaded for EFiling?
- What is an appropriate electronic signature?
- What if the system does not accept my document?
- What if the system is down on my filing deadline?
- How do I EFile a document?
- What if I select a wrong document type associated with a filing fee?
- How do I turn a word processing document into PDF format?
- How do I insert a scanned appendix and/or an exhibit into the PDF document I have created?
- How do I “Bates number” a PDF document?
Other Questions:
- What about electronic service?
- Who should I contact for more information or assistance with EFiling?
Via EClerk’s Counter on http://www.la-fcca.org, EFiling is the electronic transmission of a document to the Court that would otherwise be brought to the Court by courier or through the U.S. postal service or other shipping service.
No.
All documents, including applications, briefs, motions, etc., that can be filed by parties in a case may be uploaded for filing with the Court using the EFiling service.
Yes. Although EFiling is allowed in all cases generally, the court may order, on its own motion or on motion of a party, that this filing method is prohibited in a specific case, for a certain document or documents, or by a specific attorney or party.
Is a registration process required to use EFiling?
The EFiling service is part of EClerk’s Counter. A person already registered for EClerk’s Counter is automatically enabled to use this service to upload documents for EFiling by logging in with his or her username and password. If a person is not registered for EClerk’s Counter, he or she will need to create a username and password -- click here to do so.
How much does it cost to EFile?
Pursuant to Local Rule 1-11(b), there is a surcharge covering copying costs assessed for each uploaded document to be EFiled, regardless of whether a filing fee is required for that document. Exempt and pauper filers are required to pay this copying surcharge for each uploaded document. EACH uploaded document may be no more than 250 pages. You will be required to make more than one upload if your document is larger than 250 pages and you will have to pay the surcharge for each upload. If your uploaded document is greater than 250 pages it will not be filed until any additionally required surcharges are paid.
Who can upload a document for EFiling?
Any registered user may upload a document for EFiling provided the applicable EFiling surcharge plus the regular filing fee for the particular document, if applicable, is paid via credit card. However, for the uploaded document to be filed and not rejected, the document must bear an appropriate electronic signature of the intended filer and, when an affidavit is required of the filer by the Uniform Rules, must contain a declaration in lieu of the affidavit. Click here to see Local Rule 8.
No. The system will not allow you to submit your document without payment. If a registered user selects the an item in error and proceeds to pay only the document surcharge, the Clerk’s Office will contact the registered user to request the user to pay the delinquent amount online using a credit card (note: payment of a delinquent amount is an option only if the document to be uploaded is compliant with the rules).
Who will be notified that the Court has received my EFiling?
The registered user uploading the document to EFile will receive an acknowledgment email stating the document was successfully uploaded to the Court. The filer may presume the uploaded document will be filed as of the date and time uploaded unless the filer is otherwise notified via phone call by the Clerk’s Office (a document may be rejected by the Clerk’s Office for non-compliance with court rules or insufficient payment; to the extent allowed by the Court, the Clerk’s Office will work with the filer to correct an insufficient payment and/or cause an appropriate document to be filed).
A document may be uploaded for EFiling at any time, including before or after weekday business hours, weekends, and holidays. However, the Clerk’s Office only processes and checks for compliance on uploaded documents during business hours.
Are there special restrictions on a document to be uploaded for EFiling?
Yes:
1) The document must be saved in PDF format (although appendices and/or exhibit materials may be scanned for insertion provided the scanning is legible);
2) The document size cannot exceed 175 megabytes;
3) Each uploaded document is limited to 250 pages per upload; and
4) Unless Local Rule 8 (click here) provides otherwise, the content and format, except for binding, must comply with the Uniform Rules.
What is an appropriate electronic signature?
Local Rule 8 (click here) defines “electronic signature" as an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a document and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the document.
Signers are highly encouraged to visit the Adobe website to learn more about options for signing a PDF document electronically. For your convenience, click here to view the Adobe Acrobat XI “Quick start guide” about signing a PDF file which is available on the adobe website address below:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/electronic-signatures-e-signatures.html
What if the system does not accept my document?
If the system does not accept your document, you should retry. If this does not work, or if retrying causes you to miss your filing deadline, you may seek relief from the Court in the form of a motion and proposed order requesting such relief. The Court will make the determination in regard to timeliness in this instance because the Clerk’s Office does not take any technical difficulty into account in its determination of timeliness of a document to be EFiled.
What if the system is down on my filing deadline?
Local Rule 8 allows a party to seek appropriate relief from the Court in the form of a motion and proposed order for technical failures of the Court's system or procedures that result in missing a filing deadline. However, if a party knows that the system is not functional, every effort should be made to mail or deliver the filing timely.
A party may not be afforded relief for any delay or other problem attributable to the party's actions or use of the Court's system and if the party does not receive an acknowledgement email that the document was successfully uploaded, the party should file a hard copy in accordance with uniform rule 2-13.
To view a step-by-step demo of how the EFiling process works, click here.
What if I select a wrong document type associated with a filing fee?
If the uploaded document is compliant with the rules, but the filing fee selected and paid is below the amount required for filing of that particular document type, the Clerk’s Office will contact the registered user to request the user to pay the delinquent amount online using a credit card. The uploaded document will be filed as of the date and time the delinquent amount is actually paid.
If the uploaded document is compliant with the rules, but the filing fee selected and paid is higher than or equal to the amount required for filing of that particular document, the document will be filed. Any amount in excess of the required filing fee will be refunded to the payer.
To ensure that you do not select the incorrect filing fee, double check that you have selected the correct fee when reviewing your cart before final submission of your document for EFiling.
Exempt and pauper filers should select #9.
How do I turn a word processing document into PDF format?
Microsoft Word or WordPerfect documents can be easily converted to PDF format. Guidelines for the most recent versions are available by clicking here.
You can also purchase the full version of Adobe Acrobat, which provides the ability to convert many document types to PDF and many other useful features, including “signing” which meets the definition of “electronic signature”. You will need to familiarize yourself with the Adobe product and the “how to” convert your documents using this software.
Other than directing you to these guidelines for Word and WordPerfect and the helpful tip about purchasing the full version of Adobe Acrobat, the Clerk’s Office will not be able to assist you with any further technical advice to accomplish a PDF conversion.
How do I insert a scanned appendix and/or an exhibit into the PDF document I have created?
Local Rule 8 provides that appendices and/or exhibit materials may be scanned for insertion into your PDF document to be uploaded for EFiling. Prior to placing your electronic signature on the document to be uploaded for EFiling, you should open the PDF document you have created from your word processing software and choose the insert file option. Find you scanned document where you have saved it on your computer and choose where/how to insert it when the Adobe insert dialogue box appears. Repeat this process to incorporate all the appendices and/or exhibit materials.
How do I “Bates number” a PDF document?
The Uniform Rules require that certain documents including appendices and exhibits (such as writ applications) be consecutively numbered. There are a number of articles and instruction guides available on the internet on how to “Bates number” this type of submission which can be found by doing a simple google search: “adobe Bates numbering” to yield helpful results.
What about electronic service?
EClerk’s Counter does not offer electronic service; therefore, EFiling with the Court has no impact on service requirements among parties as provided by law, electronic or otherwise.
Who should I contact for more information or assistance with EFiling?
Contact the Clerk of Court’s Office at (225) 382-3000.
ECaseAccess
Return to EClerk’s Counter FAQs
General Questions
- What is ECaseAccess?
- What can I see on ECaseAccess?
- I do not see a document I believe is filed in the case, why?
- Why do I not see the case exhibits?
- Why do I not see older cases from prior years?
- What happens if I forget to renew my subscription by the renewal date?
The Court of Appeal, First Circuit, subscription service permits access to online case records and filings. It is available to attorneys who register for the service and pay the appropriate fees. The pricing for the ECaseAccess is set forth on the First Circuit’s website through EClerk’s Counter.
What can I see on ECaseAccess?
Only publicly accessible documents are available on ECaseAccess. Pursuant to law, certain cases are confidential, or portions of the documents in certain cases may contain confidential information. Only an attorney of record in a confidential case or case that contains confidential information, who is registered for the subscription service, is entitled to view the confidential case or information. All other subscribers will not have such access. If you have access to a confidential case and you should not have such, please contact the Clerk’s Office immediately.
I do not see a document I believe is filed in the case, why?
There is always a possibility that a recently filed document may not yet be in the public electronic case file. There is an inevitable lag time between when a document is filed with the Clerk’s Office and when the document is imaged, processed, and made available for public viewing in the public electronic case file.
Why do I not see the case exhibits?
The case exhibits are not electronically scanned and are not part of ECaseAccess. Case exhibits may be viewed at the courthouse only.
Why do I not see older cases from prior years?
The court maintains the same documents in electronic format as it does in hard copy format. After appropriate time delays have elapsed, appeal records and filings are returned to the trial court. At that time, the electronic version of these documents is deleted. The court’s opinions remain available on the court’s website and can be accessed by clicking here. Writ applications and writ filings are maintained at the First Circuit for 5 years after disposition. Currently, only filings from 2014-present have been properly reviewed for confidential requirements and are available on ECaseAccess.
What happens if I forget to renew my subscription by the renewal date?
You will have to purchase a new subscription and pay the associated fees.