5 Common E-Filing Mistakes

The five most common e-filing mistakes are related to incorrect document formatting, submission of PDF files that do not meet the specific filing requirements, and late document submissions, which can lead to total rejections in the Texas court e-filing process.

• Uploading an incorrect file type or file size limits
• Filing incorrect info like names, case numbers, or attorneys.
• Failing to follow court-specific procedural steps or deadlines
• Neglecting security requirements or missing digital signatures
• Using incompatible platforms or outdated e-filing software

1. Document Formatting

Wrong document format or too large files contribute to 26% of Texas court e-filing rejections. Courts typically want PDFs, not image files or Word-processor files. Over-sized files or those with hard-to-read fonts often lead to filing rejections, so it’s important to verify file size and readability prior to upload. Document automation tools can assist in file formatting and minimizing typos, but always review the final result for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

2. Incorrect Information

About 11% of court filing rejections stem from clerical errors. To avoid misfiling, check, check, and re-check case numbers, party names, and court information. Not even one typo can lead to instant e-filing failure, so double-check each field on the form, including attorney names, bar numbers, and contact info. Implementing an accuracy checkpoint at the end of your process can help catch minor mistakes, and utilizing professional filing assistance for peer review can provide an additional layer of granularity.

Before you hit submit, ensure you have added all required attachments and named them correctly according to the court’s specific filing requirements. Missing or mislabeled exhibits often lead to unnecessary delays, so a brief checklist can help ensure nothing is overlooked.

3. Procedural Missteps

Filing procedures represent 45% of e-filing rejections worldwide. Courts have very specific rules about how and when documents need to be filed. Missing a deadline or filing duplicates, or not compiling files in the proper sequence — all can elicit rejections. Know the court’s local rules before you file. Most jurisdictions post detailed guides online, and some provide helplines for queries about the process.

Always check that the court actually got and accepted your filing. Just checking for these before submitting can increase your odds of a clean filing by more than a third.

4. Security Oversights

Security lapses are frequent. Missing, incorrect, or illegible digital signatures represent 6% of rejections. PHI must be encrypted or password-protected, and signatures must meet the requirements of the jurisdiction. Just make sure you check the digital signatures before you file!

Take advantage of secure e-filing services that adhere to the privacy rules. When in doubt, ask your IT team or legal counsel.

5. Platform Incompatibility

Technicalities can sink a filing if your e-file software isn’t compatible with the court’s system. Keep your e-filing system up-to-date. Try it out on different devices and browsers, if necessary.

Ask for help early if problems persist.

The Hidden Costs Of Rejection

Court systems everywhere now depend on e-filing, but with that transition comes a hidden set of costs. When a filing is rejected—regardless of the magnitude of the error—the repercussions extend far beyond that initial error, impacting time, client trust, and the long-term viability of the law firm or practice group. These hidden costs can decelerate case momentum, consume resources, and alter a firm’s perception to the outside world. The Texas court e-filing process exemplifies the complexities involved, as even minor filing rejections can lead to significant delays.

• Time lost fixing and resubmitting the same document
• Extra work from missed deadlines or late filings
• Damaged reputation with courts and clients
• Loss of client trust and future business
• Stress and pressure on legal teams

A single typo, such as a wrong case number, can trigger a cascade of steps that take hours to resolve. For instance, if a clerk types in ‘1234567’ rather than ‘1234568,’ it’s possible the mistake won’t be noticed until the court returns a rejection. The team then has to page through and verify each and every page, checking for discrepancies in the filing details, and sometimes even calling the court for assistance. This is not uncommon. 11% of rejections stem from incorrect case numbers, and another 4% are due to names being misspelled. Considering all of the information in a filing—case numbers, dates, names, signatures—there’s a great deal of opportunity for error.

When a paper gets rejected, the clock doesn’t freeze. Teams have to scramble to get the mistake corrected and resubmit, but the time lost often results in other work getting delayed. If the mistake leads to a missed filing deadline, then the court will not hear the case, or a critical motion might get tossed. This risk is real: 45% of rejections come from procedural issues like sending the same paper twice or not following the electronic filing rules. Another 10% are from incomplete filings, such as missing attachments or skipped sections.

Client trust is difficult to earn and easy to squander. When a client discovers their case was delayed due to a minor filing error, their trust in the firm diminishes. Over time, a string of e-filing rejections can damage the firm’s reputation, making it more difficult to attract new clients or retain existing ones. Courts observe which firms have higher rejection rates and may provide less leeway going forward, impacting the overall success of the firm.

Little mistakes accumulate. A missed signature, date, or even a skipped field can translate into an outright rejection and additional hours of work. Nabbing these errors up-front and gleaning lessons from rejection letters can save a team from more significant trouble down the road. By ensuring proper document formatting and adhering to the specific filing requirements, firms can improve their chances of efiling success and maintain their credibility in the legal community.

Proactive Document Validation

Active Document Validation is a must for anyone working with court e-filing. It means verifying that every document complies with court rules, deadlines, and technical requirements before transmission. Filing errors, especially court filing rejections, are a primary source of denial; therefore, this can be a time- and stress-saving step. It’s not simply about attaching files – it’s about assuring that each piece complies with what the system and the court desire.

A good checklist is the foundation of this process. It should list the applicable filing type and format, naming conventions, signature requirements, and necessary attachments. It should include size limits, as some courts will return files that are too large. Each checklist item needs a complete check. For instance, ensure a PDF is unlocked and text searchable, as many courts require this for successful electronic filing. Even something like the wrong case number or party names—mere typos—can cause a rejection! Every deadline needs to be verified, including knowing if the court counts a day until midnight or closes earlier. Miss a cut-off by even a minute, and it’s back to the beginning.

Utilizing e-signature document delivery tools simplifies validation. These types of tools can verify file formats, scan for missing fields, and even identify deadline risks. Many include tracking with auto-confirmations, so you know when the court receives and accepts a file. This provides complete visibility and lowers anxiety. Automated for the basic checks, these tools allow staff to handle the details that require a human eye. For instance, certain tools identify inconsistent names or absent forms, thus preventing mistakes before submission.

Frequent personnel training is essential to staying current with the Texas court e-filing rules. Courts change their rules all the time, and new staff may not be aware of all the procedures. Training teaches employees the latest best practices, such as how to use validation tools and identify common formatting mistakes. Real-world examples in training, such as previous rejections for wrong file formats, help make the lessons stick. Training should include not only the process but also why it’s important—accuracy equals less backup, which can significantly impact clients.

Lawyers should be careful to skim every document prior to filing. This is your final opportunity to catch missing information, incorrect dates, or other concerns. A careful read can capture errors that even technology can overlook, like a switched case number or an omitted signature. Promoting this habit throughout a team enhances compliance and reduces the risk of denial, leading to greater e-filing success.