13th Circuit Court Administration
Historic Courthouse328 Washington Street
Suite 300
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 231/922-4701
Email:c13court@hotmail.com
E-Filing
The 13th Circuit Court has incorporated an OnBase document management system and TrueFile system. E-filing is mandatory in all open cases that have a “C” or “N” case code. There is no cost for the TrueFile software. A convenience fee is charged to file documents and serve them on parties of record.
E-File Tips:
Acceptance of Documents:
Documents submitted by e-filing will be tentatively accepted the day received and will be time stamped.
Accepted Signature:
Documents can be e-signed as: /S/ John E. Doe
Attachments:
An attachment, when e-filing, is not a new document. Attachments refer to exhibits to a brief or affidavit.
Bundle size:
The maximum bundle size is 30 mg
Clerk’s Receipt of Document - How do I know if the document has reached the Clerk for review?
From your Filing Status screen in Truefile, each bundle submitted will have a ‘status’ –
“In Progress” means the filing has NOT been submitted to the Court
“Accepted” the document is conditionally accepted pending payment
“Filed” the filing has been received by the court & processed
“Rejected” if credit card payment did not go through or Clerk’s rejected it for stated reasons
Convenience and Processing Fees:
Convenience fee of $8 and the processing (credit card) fee is applied only when the document is accepted by the Clerk.
Cover letters and Proofs of Service:
Cover letters and proofs of service are not to be filed. The TrueFile system will generate a proof of service. However, a proof of service would be required for filing if stating that discovery was served. (For example – interrogatories are not filed with the court, but a proof of service is to be filed stating that interrogatories were served on an attorney.)
Credit Cards:
Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit cards are accepted. (At this time, debit cards and ACH checks are not accepted.)
E-Mail Address - do I send a copy in the mail to the other party if I do not know their e-mail address?
Yes, and provide a standard Proof of Service to the Court as to who you MAILED it to.
E-Mail Address - If the other party has not signed up on TrueFile but I know their e-mail, how can I copy them?
After you have uploaded the main document, in Step 5 you are able to choose Service Type & Recipients; also,
You are able to add service recipients from that status page.
Proof of Service for Attorney:
As the filing party, you can add an attorney Ad Hoc for service (until they add themselves as an attorney in the case by signing up through TrueFile.)
Proof of Service for Pro Per’s e-mail:
A pro per’s e-mail address can be added Ad Hoc for service in the proof of service.
Registering Firm/Attorney:
When signing up firm/attorney, become friends with Court first and then create account. Only the Administrator of the firm/attorney friends the Court.
Rejection of a Document:
When a document is rejected, only the firm that submitted the document receives the notification that it is being rejected, not everyone included on the proof of service.
Submission of Documents:
Each document needs to be submitted separately, not as one continuous document. Motion – Brief - Notice of Hearing, etc., so that each document will receive a time stamp on its face page.
Below are links to assist you with the process of e-filing.
TrueFile Training Video
TrueFile Quick Reference Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
ImageSoft, Inc., the Court's e-file vendor: www.ImageSoftInc.com
Questions may be directed to ImageSoft, Inc., the Court's vendor: support@truefiling.com
OnBase TrueFile (for User Guide and sign up): www.truefiling.com
When you e-file a document with the Court that has a “C” or “N” case code, a copy will automatically be served on counsel of record, a proof of service generated and a courtesy copy will be provided to the relevant Judge. You no longer need to separately e-mail Judge’s copies to the 13th Circuit Court e-mail address. You may continue to use the e-mail address for correspondence or other communication you wish to make with Court staff, the Judges, or for Judge’s copies in all other case codes.