Filer Frequently Asked Questions
What is TexasOnline eFiling for Courts?
eFiling for Courts (http://www.texasonline.com/portal/tol/en/info) is Texas' chosen model for submitting electronic legal eFilings (eFilings) to Texas state courts. It is a multi-vendor model which means you are free to choose which eFiling Service Provider you prefer to use for eFiling.
What is an eFiling Service Provider (EFSP)?
An eFiling Service Provider provides a user friendly interface via a website enabling you to submit your eFilings to the court. Different EFSPs offer various features.
What makes American LegalNet, Inc. (ALN) different from other EFSPs?
- Unlimited eFilings:
One annual fee gives you unlimited eFilings for less than $1, depending on the amount of eFilings your firm submits.
We are the only EFSP to offer a subscription model pricing structure.
- Optional transactional model available:
If the subscription model is not cost effective for you or your firm depending on the amount of eFilings you submit, then you still have the option to pay per transaction at a low and reasonable cost of $4.00 per eFiling.
- Advanced Fee Billing: File with ease – let us pay your fees!
ALN pays your eFiling fees so you can bypass the payment screen and immediately submit your eFiling, hassle and credit card free. ALN will send your firm a single, detailed invoice summarizing your monthly eFiling transactions.
- Reports: Firm wide activity at your fingertips!
Track eFiling and billing history for all firm eFilers.
- Auto fill eService: Save time!
Auto fill all data fields with the click of one button.
- Automatic PDF Conversion:
All of your word documents will be automatically converted into PDF format with the click of a mouse.
- Court Information:
Access to court info including filing fees, miscellaneous fees, service fees and court holidays.
- Free Training:
Attorney-staffed support on site.
- Convenience:
eFile from any location with Internet access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Extend Your Deadline:
Extend your eFiling deadline in most cases from 5:00pm to 11:59pm.
- Immediate Confirmation:
Know immediately that your eFiling was submitted successfully to the Courthouse of your choice.
- Cost Savings:
eFiling fees are typically lower than your average courier or shipping fees. eFiling for Courts also frees your in-house runners to perform other needed tasks.
- Security:
Benefit from eFiling security that meets the security standards of the State of Texas and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), among other leaders in court management.
Is the system secure?
Yes. Documents are sent safely and securely to and from the court. eFiling for Courts utilizes a three-tier architecture with multiple firewalls and full-time intrusion detection monitoring. The system is compliant with the security standards of the State of Texas and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), among other leaders in court management.
How will I know my eFiling was submitted successfully?
You will immediately receive an email once your eFiling has been processed by the Clerk. Generally the Clerk’s Office will process eFilings within 24 hours. You may also view the confirmation in your Inbox which is accessible once you are logged onto http://texas.efilingportal.com . In addition, an electronic time and date stamped copy of your document is viewable in the Inbox.
What fees are associated with eFiling through TexasOnline?
When you eFile through TexasOnline, you will be able to review your eFiling fees online before you click the submit button. Fees per eFiling include:
Court Imposed Fees:
- $4.00 TexasOnline eFiling convenience fee
- $2.00 County eFiling fee (this fee is not charged in all Counties)
- $3.00 eService fee (flat fee)
ALN Fees:
What happens if my filing is rejected – will I have to pay the filing fee twice?
Initially, you will need to resubmit the correct filing and pay the amount again. However, the court will refund you for the first erroneous eFiling after you submit the correct eFiling.
How are eFiling fees collected?
eFiling fees are collected via credit card information entered at the time of the transaction or by payments made to a monthly invoice. All major credit cards are accepted including MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. ALN offers an advanced fee billing option – ALN will pay your fees per transaction in advance and send you a monthly invoice. Before you click the submit button to eFile your documents, you will be presented with a fee total for your review.
What technology requirements do I need in order to eFile?
In order to submit eFiled documents to the court, an eFiler must have the following:
- Internet access via their computer
- Texas online user id which can be created via our website
- Adobe PDF Reader to read submitted and returned documents
- An optional scanner to submit non-electronic documents
What days and hours can I eFile?
The Texas eFiling rules allow most civil documents to be filed until 11:59 p.m. on the day of the eFiling deadline, rather than being limited to the hours the courthouse is physically open. For example, if you file a document at 8:15 p.m. on July 1, you will have met your eFiling deadline of July 1. Please note, however, that the eFiling of a document does not alter any eFiling deadlines. Certain case types may not be initiated on Sunday per the Rules of Civil Procedure. For specific information, please visit the Texas Supreme Court Judicial Committee on Information Technology website. (http://www.courts.state.tx.us/jcit/)
What time and date stamp do I receive when I eFile?
The time and date stamp applied to your eFiling will match the time and date that you electronically submit the eFiling via ALN’s eFilingPortal. For example, if you submit your eFiling at 8:15 p.m. on Friday and the Clerk does not accept your document until 3:15pm on Monday, you still receive a time and date stamp of 8:15 p.m., Friday.
What documents can be eFiled through eFiling for Courts?
eFiling for Courts accepts documents and attachments in a single submission. For specific information, please visit the Texas Supreme Court Judicial Committee on Information Technology website. http://www.courts.state.tx.us/jcit/
What document types does eFiling for Courts accept?
This varies by EFSP, but ALN accepts the majority of standard document types such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, TIFF, or PDF.
How can I eFile a document that requires a physical signature or exists only in paper format?
You may submit these documents by simply scanning them at your office and then uploading the scanned electronic version through ALN’s eFilingPortal just like any other document.
What Courts currently accept documents eFiled through TexasOnline?
- Austin District
- Bee District
- Bell District
- Bexar District
- Brazoria District
- Brazoria County
- Brazos District
- Brazos County
- Burnet County
- Burnet District
- Cameron District
- Cameron County
- Cass District
- Cass County
- Collin District
- Collin County
- Dallas District
- Dallas County
- Dallas Probate
- Denton District
- Denton County
- Denton Probate
- El Paso District
- El Paso County
- El Paso Probate
- Fayette District
- Fort Bend District
- Fort Bend County
- Goliad District
- Goliad County
- Guadalupe District
- Harris District
- Hidalgo District
- Hidalgo County
- Johnson District
- Lubbock District
- Lubbock County
- McLennan District
- Midland District
- Midland County
- Moore District
- Moore County
- Nueces District
- Nueces County
- Potter District
- Randall District
- Randall County
- Tarrant County
- Tarrant Probate
- Tom Green District
- Travis District
- Upton District
- Victoria District
- Victoria County
- Waller District
- Waller County
- Webb District
- Webb County
How can I learn more about American LegalNet, Inc.?
Visit www.americanlegalnet.com for more information or call 1-800-293-2771 to speak to a knowledgeable customer services staff member.
How can I learn more about Texas Online?
Visit www.TexasOnline.com/eFiling for more information. Click on "Getting Started for Attorneys."
What if I still have questions after visiting www.TexasOnline.com/eFiling?
Many of your questions may be answered by the Texas Supreme Court rules on eFiling which can be found at the Judicial Committee on Information Technology website. http://www.courts.state.tx.us/jcit/
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