File in a District (Trial) Court
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari internet browsers are the recommended browsers for access to the eFile & eServe (eFS) portal.
Electronic filing and service is required in all 87 Minnesota counties.
Mandatory use of the eFile and eServe (eFS) System
As of July 1, 2016 the use of eFS is mandatory for attorneys, government agencies, and guardians ad litem, in all court cases filed in all 87 Minnesota counties.
Voluntary use of eFS
All filers who are not required by court rule to use eFS, such as self-represented litigants, may use eFS in all Minnesota counties.
NOTE: Only parties to a case or attorneys representing parties in a case should register in eFS. For example, advocates should not register in eFS to eFile on behalf of a self-represented litigant.
eFiling for criminal and juvenile delinquency cases
Charging documents (criminal complaints, citations, and tab charges) are not filed through eFS. The same is true for juvenile delinquency petitions and citations. See Minn. R. Crim. Pro. 1.06, subd. 2; and Minn. R. Juv. Del. P. 6.03, subd. 2.
More information on eFiling charging documents in these cases is available on the Government Partners, Criminal Justice System Resources page.
Attorneys, government agencies, and law enforcement must use eFS to file other non-charging documents with the Minnesota district courts, effective July 1, 2016. See Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(1).
Additional eFiling information
Unless required to use eFS as described above, court users can continue to file paper documents and court forms at the courthouse.
The Civil Actions help topic includes additional information on filing and responding to a summons and complaint.
Both electronic and paper filings are subject to the appropriate filing fee. However, the use of eFS poses a minimal cost for registered users. Besides the browser, all that is needed is a current email address and a valid credit or debit card for filing fees. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted, American Express is not.