Start here
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What you will need
- Your documents as text searchable PDF files, one file per document
- The county and court where you are filing
- The case category and case type
- The names of the parties and attorneys
1 Click Place an Order
Log in to your account. On your dashboard, click Place an Order.
2 Choose eFiling, Illinois and the county
In What would you like us to do?, select eFiling (1). Under Select State, choose Illinois, then choose the county in Select County (2).
Under Select Filing Type, choose Case Initiation to open a new case, or Subsequent Filing for a case that is already open (3). In Select Jurisdiction, choose the court (4). In Cook County, the list shows each division and district, such as Law, Chancery, Domestic Relations, Municipal Civil and Probate.
Want us to serve the documents after they are filed? Choose Yes for Serve after filing (5). This creates a filing order and a service order at the same time. Click Next.
3 Enter the case information
On the Case Info tab, enter the Case Title (1). Then choose the Case Category and Case Type (2).
For some case types, a Cross Reference line appears under Case Type (3). Choose the cross reference type and enter the number. In Cook County, for example, many case types need your 5 or 6-digit Cook County Attorney Code; if the party is self-represented, enter 99500. Click Add + to add another cross reference. Click Next.
4 Add the case participants
On the Case Participants tab, click Add Party or Add Attorney to add each party and attorney. The portal checks that your filing includes all the parties the court requires.
4A Enter each party
In the Add Party window, choose Organization or Person (1) and the Role (2), and enter the Name (3). Make sure the party information matches the complaint. If the party has no attorney, check Is Self-Represented (4) and enter their address, phone number and email address. Click Save (5).
5 Attach your documents
On the Documents tab, search for the document type, or click Pick from list to see the available documents (1). Check the Title (2) and, if the court asks for one, choose a Security Level (3). Then click Upload from Computer and choose the file (4). Repeat for each document.
5A Or upload from Clio or NetDocuments
If your firm keeps its files in Clio or NetDocuments, you can attach the document from there instead of from your computer. Click the arrow next to Upload from Computer and choose Clio or NetDocuments. Sign in if asked, then pick the file.
For the full steps, see Using Clio with Direct Legal Support or Using NetDocuments with Direct Legal Support.
6 Fill in the document details
Your files are listed under Documents To Be Filed. For each document, fill in the fields marked with an asterisk, such as FILED ON BEHALF OF and REFERS TO. If the court needs more information about a document, you are asked for it here.
Check Lead Document on the main document in the filing. Click Next.
7 Review the court fees
The Court Fees tab lists the fees for the documents you selected, including the eFiling system’s fee, and the Total Estimated Court Fees (1). Make sure every fee that applies is selected, because the court may reject the filing if the correct fees are not listed. Click Add Additional Services and Fees to add one (2).
Under Authorize Direct Legal Support to pay court fees, choose Yes, or choose Submit as Fee Waiver (3). Click Next.
8 Review your order and submit
On the Order Details tab, a notice says your documents will be submitted and awaiting clerk review. Choose the service level (1) and, if your firm tracks orders with its own number, enter it in Internal Reference Number (2). The Fee Summary lists the court fees, the eFiling system’s fee, our eFiling fee and the total (3).
Type any Message to Court Clerk (4). Notifications shows who gets status updates about this order (5), and Payment Method shows how the order will be paid (6). By submitting, you authorize Direct Legal Support to charge the fees for the order to your account’s payment method on file (7). Click Submit to place your order (8).
9 Get your confirmation
Your order number appears to confirm that the order was placed. Click Print Confirmation(s) to keep a record of your order.
Illinois eFiling questions
Can I file in new and existing cases?
Yes. Choose Case Initiation to open a new case, or Subsequent Filing for a case that is already open.
Which courts can I file with?
All 102 Illinois counties. After you choose the county, Select Jurisdiction lists that county's courts. In Cook County, choose the division and district, for example Cook County, Law, District 1, Chicago.
What does Serve after filing do?
Choosing Yes creates a filing order and a service order at the same time, so we can serve the documents after they are filed.
Why do some screens in this guide look different from mine?
The Order Info and Case Info screens in steps 2 and 3 are from an Illinois order. The screens in the later steps are examples from a Texas eFiling, so the case types, document types and fees on your screen match your Illinois court instead.
After you order
- Follow your eFiling under Pending Orders on your dashboard
- Find completed orders and their documents under Closed Orders
Good to know
Illinois rules and rates: see directlegal.com/illinois-court-efiling.
Need it sooner than the times shown? Call us at (800) 675-5376 before you place the order.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call our Litigation Division Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific, or email info@directlegal.com. Ready to order? Log in to the portal.
Prefer paper? Download this guide as a PDF to print or save. More guides: Client Portal Guides.