Polk County Clerk of Courts Stacy Butterfield will host an eFiling workshop on May 29, 2013 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
The content is customized to meet the needs of Florida attorneys, registered paralegals and assistants who will be filing pleadings through the ePortal. Attendees will see a demonstration that includes helpful tips, local policies and procedures regarding eFiling as well as a Q & A session.
Seating is limited to the first 150 participants per session. Click here to register for the workshop: http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb444709706
This session will take place in the Jury Assembly Room on the second floor of the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow.
Problems eFiling? Contact support@myflcourtaccess.com.
This site is intended to act as a resource for eFiling through the Florida Courts eFiling Portal. Currently, the Polk County Clerk of Courts provides for eFiling in the Probate, Family, Circuit and County Civil courts, and Juvenile and Criminal courts available on or before October 1, 2013.
General eFiling Questions
eFiling Questions on Process
General eFiling Questions
How can I access the eFiling Portal?
The Florida Courts eFiling Portal can be accessed at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. A username and password are required to access the system, and registration is available on the ePortal website. At this time, only Florida Bar attorneys may eFile.
What are the system requirements for eFiling?
Windows XP or Higher PC or Mac.
Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe Acrobat PDF formats are supported.
Internet Explorer 7.0 or above, Firefox 3.0 or above, Safari 3.1.2 or above.
The site does not officially support Chrome or Opera, but both may work. If not, please switch to an approved browser.
Who do I contact if I have a problem eFiling?
Problems eFiling should be directed to the Florida Association of Court Clerks Service Desk. They can be reached by emailing support@myflcourtaccess.com. For inquiries regarding process, please contact the appropriate department.
What Administrative Orders and Directives is eFiling operating under?
Specific attention to the Statewide Standards will prove especially useful for minimizing eFiling effort in your office. You can read more on the Florida State Courts Electronic Filing Committee (EFC) website.
AOSC09-30, established Statewide standards for electronic access;
AOSC10-7, rules for attorneys during eFiling test periods;
Statewide Standards for Electronic Access to the Courts
Where can I find more information about eFiling?
In addition to finding more information on the Florida State Courts EFC website, there are additional FAQs on the Florida Courts eFiling Authority web page.
Electronic Signatures
Check out the standards and rule that allow it. It could save you a few steps like printing, signing and scanning; not to mention cost savings on paper, ink, and your time!
Florida Supreme Court Standards for Electronic Access to the Courts 8.0. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, Page 15
Rules of Judicial Administration RULE 2.515 SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEYS AND PARTIES, Page 94
What are the document standards when eFiling?
The Florida Courts E-Filing Authority issued an ePortal Document Submission Standards to be followed in preparing documents for eFiling through the ePortal. This document can be accessed at http://www.flclerks.com/e-Filing_Authority/Resources/Manuals/ePortal_Document_Submission_Standards.pdf.
eFiling Questions on Process
Can I eFile a summons or similar document requiring the Clerk to issue? (i.e. Writ of Garnishment, Writ of Replevin, Notice of Action, Subpoena, Default, etc.)
Yes. Once the summons or document requiring the Clerk to issue is efiled and the applicable fees paid, then the Clerk will issue the document if permissible. The issued document will be filed in the electronic case file within 48 hours. The attorney will be responsible for printing the issued document from the Clerk’s Civil Extranet.
Alternatively, the document requiring issuance by the Clerk can be mailed in to the appropriate department with the required fees. The Clerk will issue the document if permissible and return to the filer in a postage pre-paid envelope provided by the filer.
Can I eFile Proposed Orders for the Judge to review and sign?
No. Proposed orders and judgments must be sent to the Judge directly.
Can service requests such as copy work, certified copies, or a record search be efiled?
Not at this time. These type of service requests are mailed to the appropriate department with any applicable fees.
Does the Clerk image the follow up hard copy when it’s received from the filer during the test period?
No, the Clerk does not image the hard copy. The hard copy is date stamped to show when it’s received and then filed away in the case binder during the test period. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DIGITAL COPY SHOULD BE IDENTICAL TO THE FOLLOW UP HARD COPY INCLUDING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.
Florida Supreme Court Standards for Electronic Access to the Courts 8.0. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, Page 15
Rules of Judicial Administration RULE 2.515 SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEYS AND PARTIES, Page 94
Does the attorney have to send in paper follow up?
The Supreme Court gave approval for eFiling in Probate, Family, County and Circuit Civil Courts in Polk County and discontinued the requirement for paper follow up by attorneys unless required by law.