Electronic filing (e-filing) is the process of filing legal documents with courts and other government and nongovernment entities (arbitration administrators) electronically—often through a website—rather than mailing or delivering paper copies of the documents to be filed.
In Ohio, electronic filing (e-filing) is widely accepted and often required by courts for the submission of legal documents. The Ohio Judicial Conference has encouraged the adoption of e-filing systems to improve efficiency and access to the courts. Each court in Ohio may have its own e-filing system and rules regarding electronic submissions. For instance, the Ohio Supreme Court requires e-filing for most cases, and many of the state's common pleas, municipal, and appellate courts have implemented e-filing systems as well. Attorneys and self-represented litigants typically need to register for an account on the court's e-filing portal to submit documents electronically. The specific procedures, technical requirements, and any associated fees for e-filing can vary by court, so it is important for filers to review the local court rules and e-filing guidelines before submitting documents electronically.