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 Wisconsin, electronic filing (e-filing) is widely used for submitting legal documents to courts. The Wisconsin Court System operates an e-filing system known as the Wisconsin Circuit Court eFiling System (eFileWI), which allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file court documents electronically. The system is mandatory for many types of cases, including civil, family, paternity, small claims, and criminal cases. Users must register for an account and often pay a fee to file documents electronically. The e-filing system is designed to increase efficiency, reduce paper use, and provide easier access to court records. Additionally, other government and nongovernment entities in Wisconsin may have their own electronic filing systems for various legal and administrative proceedings, such as arbitration. It is important for filers to check the specific requirements and procedures for e-filing with the relevant court or entity.