17th Circuit Court eFiling Documentation

Getting Started

The Kent County E-File system provides parties the ability to efficiently file electronic documents with the 17th Circuit Court 24 hours a day, any day of the week. We highly recommend preparing your documents before starting in order to make your filing experience easier.

When first accessing the e-filing system, you will be presented with two options: File on an existing case, or file on a new case. Case numbers are required in order to search for existing cases. If you do not know your case number, an online court name search can be completed.

The landing page of the Circuit Court eFiling application. There are two buttons: One that prompts you to file on a new case, and one that prompts you to file on an exisitng case

Fee Waivers

A "Fee Waiver" in court filings is a request made to the court to excuse a person from paying the standard filing fees associated with initiating a legal case, typically because they cannot afford to pay them due to financial hardship. Essentially, it allows someone to file a lawsuit without paying the usual court fees if they demonstrate their inability to do so. You must complete the Fee Waiver form in order to qualify.

After completing a fee waiver, you will initially not be required to pay on your filing. A judge will review your fee waiver request and will determine if you qualify. If approved the fee will be waived and no further action is needed. If denied you will be contacted and a payment will be requested to complete your filing.

  • Filings cannot have more than one fee waiver
  • Fee waivers apply to all fees on a single filing
  • A new fee waiver will need to be completed on every individual filing

Return to Top

Case Type Definitions

For a full list of case types and their definitions, please refer to this Circuit Court Case-Type code list.

Preparing Documents to Be Filed

When preparing forms for e-filing in the 17th Circuit Court, it's essential to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure your documents are accepted and processed efficiently. Here are some best practices.

Formatting Your Documents

  • Accepted File Formats: Submit documents in PDF format. PDFs are preferred for their consistent formatting across different devices.​
  • Page Layout: Use standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper size with one-inch margins on all sides.​
  • Font and Spacing: Employ a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, sized between 12 to 14 points. Double-space the main text to enhance readability.
  • Pagination: Number all pages consecutively at the bottom center or bottom right corner.

Including Personal Identifying Information (PII)

  • Redaction Requirements: Avoid including details like Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or full dates of birth in public documents. If such information is necessary, ensure it's properly redacted.​
  • Separate Forms for PII: When required to provide PII, use the appropriate forms designated for confidential information, ensuring they are filed separately from public documents.​

Signing Your Documents

  • Electronic Signatures: The 17th Circuit Court accepts electronic signatures. You can sign documents by typing your name​
  • Verification: Ensure that by signing electronically, you affirm the document's accuracy, similar to a handwritten signature.

Scanning Physical Documents

  • Quality Standards: When converting paper documents to electronic format, use a scanner with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to ensure clarity.​
  • File Size Management: Keep scanned files under 50 MB. If a document exceeds this size, consider breaking it into smaller sections and labeling them accordingly (e.g., "Exhibit A – Part 1").​

Reviewing Before Submission

  • Proofreading: Carefully review all documents for completeness and accuracy before filing. Ensure all necessary sections are filled out and that there are no typographical errors.
  • Attachments: Confirm that all required attachments or exhibits are included and correctly labeled.​

Return to Top

Filing Process

New Cases

1. Select Case Type

When filing a new case, you will be prompted to choose a filing year and case type. A quick guide of case types can be found here.

Once your case has been accepted and processed, you will be assigned a case number. Until the case has been approved, your filing will have no case number.

The starting process of a new case filing. The case has ##### in place of where a case number would be.

2. Select Representation

Self Represented

If representing yourself on a case, you will be prompted to enter in your contact information. You are the person who will be notified regarding your filings.

Attorney

If an you are an attorney filing on behalf of your client or clients, you can search for yourself in the system using your P Number. If you have filed through the 17th Circuit Court's E-Filing system before, your information will automatically populate. If you have not filed before, you will be prompted to enter your information.

The "Select if you are the attorney making this filing" checkbox is automatically selected for the first attorney added to a filing. Multiple attorneys can be added to a filing, but only the first attorney added to the filing will be notified of updates.

Once attorney representation has been selected, a popup for the user to enter the attorney P Number appears. Entering in a number will search the system for an existing attorney record. If one is not found, the user can enter in attorney information manually.

3. Add Party Information

Multiple parties can be added to a single filing. Click on an existing party name to select it. Once the party has been selected or added, click “Continue”.

The screen displays a green success message that lets the user know that a party has been sucessfully added to the filing. The system prompts the user to enter in the party/parties that they wish to file under. Clicking on a party name will select it and allow the user to continue with their filing.

4. Add Documents

You will be presented with case, party and attorney information. Confirm that everything looks correct. If you need to make any changes to your filing, click the Back button at the top of the page.

Click “Add Document”; Select document type, add a document name, and choose a document file; Click “Add Document” in order to assign it to the case.

The document will now appear as an attachment on the case. Documents can also be removed from a filing.

A complaint is required to open new cases. No other documents can be filed before the complaint. A motion can be filed for free at the time of filing a complaint. This includes an ex parte motion. The number of motions filed at the time of complaint can exceed one and it will still all be free.

A green success message shows that a party has been added to a case. The screen displays the case partie(s) and attorney(s). Below this information, there is a button that allows users to add documents to the filing. Below the documents section of the screen, there is a 'Review Filing' button. A Back button is at the top of the page, and allows users to edit their filing information.

5. Request a Fee Waiver, If Needed

When a document with an associated fee has been added to the filing, the option to add a fee waiver will appear. Click the “Request Fee Waiver” button at the bottom of the page. From here, you can manually enter in the required information or upload your fee waiver document as a PDF file. Click “Submit” when complete to apply the fee waiver to your filing. After a fee waiver has been submitted, you have the ability to review and update it as needed. Once a new filing has been confirmed, no further edits can be made to the fee waiver. A fee waiver needs to be completed each time you file on a case. If your request cannot be approved, the Clerk's Office will contact you with further instructions or alternative options.

At the top of the page, there is a button that allows the user to upload their fee waiver document as a PDF file. Below this, the user also has the option to manually enter in their fee waiver information. At the bottom of the page, the user has the option to either skip the waiver and continue, or submit the waiver request and review the filing.

6. Review Filing

Confirm that all case, document, and contact information is correct. Click "Confirm & Checkout" to proceed.

7. Confirm and Checkout

If no fee waiver was completed, you will be redirected to the payment site. Do NOT exit out of your browser until you are redirected back to kentcountymi.gov. Exiting out before you have been redirected back to kentcountymi.gov may cause processing delays. If you are getting an error when adding a card in Safari, please try using a different browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

You do NOT need to have an account to check out. You can "continue as guest" located at the bottom of the account selections when our payment provider (PayIt) screen pops up after selecting the "Checkout" button.

If you submitted a fee waiver request, you will be permitted to skip this step and will be immediately presented with your filing receipt.

8. View Filing Receipt

Once payment has been completed, you will be directed back to the eFiling system. Here you can view your order number and print your receipt. There is also the option to start a new filing.

Return to Top

Existing Cases

1. Search for Case

Search for an existing case using a case number. If you do not know your case number, complete a Court Name Search. If no existing case is found in the system, you will be prompted to file a new case or complete another existing case search. You will need to confirm that all information appears correct before continuing in the filing process.

2. Select or Add Parties to the Filing

Once a case has been selected, the system will either display a list of parties that are already associated with the case or, if no existing parties are found, will prompt you to add a new party. Click on an existing party name to select it. Once the party has been selected or added, click “Continue”. Multiple parties can be added to a single filing.

An existing party/parties has been located. A list of party names and types is listed on the screen. The user can click on a party to choose it

When a new party is added to an existing case, it is automatically listed as a Non-Party. The Court will need to approve before the party can be officially listed on a case.

3. Select Representation

Self Represented

If representing yourself on a case, you will be prompted to enter in your contact information. You are the person who will be notified regarding your filings.

Attorney

If an you are an attorney filing on behalf of your client or clients, you can search for yourself in the system using your P Number. If you have filed through the 17th Circuit Court's E-Filing system before, your information will automatically populate. If you have not filed before, you will be prompted to enter your information.

The "Select if you are the attorney making this filing" checkbox is automatically selected for the first attorney added to a filing. Multiple attorneys can be added to a filing, but only the first added will be notified.

4. Add Documents

You will be presented with case, party and attorney information. Confirm that everything looks correct.

Click “Add Document”; Select document type, add a document name, and choose a document file; Click “Add Document” in order to assign it to the case.

The document will now appear as an attachment on the case. Documents can also be removed from a filing.

File a new document. The user has added two document files. The add documents button is highlighted. The screen displays the document names, types, amounts, and offers the option to remove the documents. The remove button (a trashcan icon) is highlighted. Since documents with fees have been added to the filing, the review fee waiver button is visible. This button is highlighted.

5. Request a Fee Waiver, If Needed

When a document with an associated fee has been added to the filing, the option to add a fee waiver will appear. Click the “Request Fee Waiver” button at the bottom of the page. From here, you can manually enter in the required information or upload your fee waiver document as a PDF file. Click “Submit” when complete to apply the fee waiver to your filing. After a fee waiver has been submitted, you have the ability to review and update it as needed. Once a new filing has been confirmed, no further edits can be made to the fee waiver. A fee waiver needs to be completed each time you file on a case. If your request cannot be approved, the Clerk's Office will contact you with further instructions or alternative options.

6. Review Filing

Confirm that all case, document, and contact information is correct. Click "Confirm & Checkout" to proceed.

The screen presents the user with the case name, party name(s), contact information, document(s), and total cost. The user has the option to go back to filing or to continue to checkout.

7. Confirm and Checkout

If no fee waiver was completed, you will be redirected to the payment site. Do NOT exit out of your browser until you are redirected back to kentcountymi.gov. Exiting out before you have been redirected back to kentcountymi.gov may cause processing delays. If you are getting an error when adding a card in Safari, please try using a different browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

You do NOT need to have an account to check out. You can "continue as guest" located at the bottom of the account selections when our payment provider (PayIt) screen pops up after selecting the "Checkout" button.

If you submitted a fee waiver request, you will be permitted to skip this step and will be immediately presented with your filing receipt.

8. View Filing Receipt

Once payment has been completed, you will be directed back to the eFiling system. Here you can view your order number and print your receipt. There is also the option to start a new filing.

A success message on the screen thanks the user for filing online with the 17th Circuit Court. The rest of the screen displays the order number, case number, party names, documents filed, total paid, and contact information. At the bottom of the screen, there are two buttons: One prompts the user to start a new filing, and the other allows the user to view and print their receipt.

Return to Top