eCourts is a package of new software applications and technology infrastructure improvements that will transition our court system from paper to digital. Although eCourts has many components, most members of the bar will primarily engage with eFiling and Portal.
eFiling
eFiling, also known as File & Serve, enables you to file documents electronically through a single, secure, centralized online location. It also allows you to:
- Submit court documents online to the clerk's office in eCourts counties.
- Pay filing fees that are automatically calculated for you when you submit filings.
- Get a file-stamped copy upon the clerk’s acceptance.
- Receive filing status updates via email.
Go to eFiling (File & Serve).
Who will be required to use eFiling / File & Serve?
Attorneys filing cases in eCourts counties are required to do so via File & Serve. As additional counties launch Odyssey ICMS, attorneys wishing to file cases in those counties will be required to do so via File & Serve as well. View the Odyssey ICMS rollout schedule.
How do I register for eFiling / File & Serve?
Attorneys and individuals must register for an account to access File & Serve.
- Firm Account: Firm Administrator
The firm administrator will set up the firm account and invite the individual users (attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, etc.) to set up their own accounts. From the landing page, the firm administrator can register for their firm account by creating their individual user account credentials and then adding the firm information. After registering, the firm administrator will receive an email to activate their account.
- Firm Account: Individual Users
Firm Account Users include:
- All legal professionals including:
- Solo practitioners
- Attorneys, paralegals, and staff at firms with multiple filers
Individual users in a firm will be invited to create an account within a firm by the firm administrator. Once the firm administrator has added them to the firm account, the user will receive an email to set up their credentials.
Note: Attorneys may be required to enter an attorney number. If you do not have an attorney number from this state, register as an individual.
- Individual Account Users
Individual Users of File & Serve include:
- Filers without lawyers (pro-se filers or self-represented litigants)
- Process servers
- Landlords and tenants (renters)
- Pro hac vice or out-of-state attorneys
- Other non-parties (for example, employers filing garnishment information)
These users can register individually for their account here and scrolling down to ‘Register for an Individual Account.’ From there they will set up their account credentials and information. They must fill out all required fields. After submitting, they will receive an email with a link to activate their account.
Are eFiling / File & Serve training materials available?
What hardware and software are required for eFiling / File & Serve?
- Browser Requirements - Chrome™, Mozilla® Firefox®, Microsoft® Edge®, or Safari®
- It is recommended to NOT use Safari to set up a payment account. Users can file in Safari only after they have a payment account set up from another browser.
- Operating Systems - Microsoft® Windows®, Linux®, Chrome OS™ Android™, iOS, and OS X®
- Recommended Hardware:
- Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD A6 processors with at least a 2.0 GHz clock speed
- 4 GB of RAM
- 1920 x 1080 resolution of both desktop computers and mobile devices
- High-speed Internet connection
- Document Format - Adobe® PDF
Portal
Portal allows the general public and registered users to access court information including:
- Perform smart searches by party name, record number, citation number, attorney bar number, attorney name, business name, case cross-reference number, or nickname
- Search for court dates and hearings by case number, party name, business name, attorney name, attorney bar number, judicial officer, or courtroom
- View case information, records, and documents
- Make instant online credit card transactions to pay fines and fees
Go to Portal.
When will Portal become available for use?
Portal access will mirror Odyssey ICMS go-live dates. Find more information regarding the Odyssey ICMS statewide rollout schedule.
Who can use Portal?
Anyone wishing to access court information online can use Portal, including the public.
Are Portal training materials available?
How do I register for Portal?
Please see more information about Portal and how to register. Registration for Portal is not required for anonymous users to search and view publicly available court information. The public may register if they plan to visit often and would like the ability to save cases to the ‘My Cases’ tab. See more details below for registration and Elevated Access. Only those users who have a verified business need and authority granted by statute will be approved for elevated access to access restricted case types or non-public information.
- Registration is completed through the “Register/Sign In” link located in the top right corner of the Portal screen.
- Attorneys who are not assigned to restricted case types, and do not wish to request elevated access, may register in Portal.
- Attorneys should reference the Portal Elevated Access Roles document for more information about attorney elevated access, and links to access File & Serve and the AOC-A-264 Portal Elevated Access Request/Agreement (Counsel).
- Registration provides access to the “My Cases” Portlet and allows the user to save cases of interest for quick access.
- Registration does NOT provide additional access to information or restricted case types; registered users have the same access to information as an anonymous/public user.
For more information, please see the eCourts Portal Information and FAQs.
Elevated Access
- Judicial Branch Expands Elevated Access for Private Counsel in eCourts
- Requests must be submitted through File & Serve, using the AOC-A-264 form.
- Granted for all attorneys and allows access to restricted information on all cases which you are entitled to by statute and are an Odyssey ACTIVE Party / Participant assigned to the case.
- Non-attorney staff are not eligible for elevated access; the requestor must be assigned a bar number.
- Registration is NOT required and should NOT be completed. The ‘My Cases’ feature in Portal is available once Elevated Access is approved.
- A Portal password email link is sent if an Attorney registers in Portal prior to requesting and being approved for Elevated Access. No additional notification is sent.
- Portal uses the email address as the User ID. Portal permits one user to be associated with an email address.
- Only ONE request is necessary; once AOC verifies the attorney is listed in Odyssey, Elevated Access is granted with the Attorney Party ID and the attorney will be able to view ALL cases for which they are listed as an ACTIVE attorney in Odyssey.
- Attorneys do NOT need to submit a request for each case or restricted case type.
- Attorneys will NOT be able to view restricted information until they are listed as an Odyssey ACTIVE attorney on the case.
- Contact the applicable county Clerk of Court to be properly added as an Odyssey ACTIVE attorney to an applicable case.
What hardware and software are required for Portal?
- Portal uses similar system requirements as eFiling / File & Serve
- Browser Requirements - Chrome™, Microsoft® Edge®
- Note: Using the recommended browsers on MacOS may result in unexpected errors and issues.
- Operating Systems - Microsoft® Windows®, Linux®, Chrome OS™ Android™, iOS, and OS X®
- Recommended Hardware:
- Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD A6 processors with at least a 2.0 GHz clock speed
- 4 GB of RAM
- 1920 x 1080 resolution of both desktop computers and mobile devices
- High-speed Internet connection
- Document Format - Adobe® PDF
Portal Basic Search Tips
- Case Numbers: In Odyssey there are four parts: year (2 digits), case type (letters), case sequence number (6 digits), and county identifier (3 digits). Example: 21CR000003-910
- Partial Name or Number Search: To perform a wildcard search using a case number, enter at least four characters, followed by an asterisk (*); for a business name or nickname, use a minimum of four characters followed by an asterisk and to perform a name search using the wildcard, type a minimum of three characters followed by an asterisk for the last name, and a minimum of one character followed by an asterisk for the first name. View the Name Indexing Standards.
- Portal Options (learn more in the FAQs and Training Materials section)
- Smart Search: Provides users with a detailed and near to “real-time” Case Summary (also known as the Register of Actions). You can find a detailed listing of a court file’s timeline that would include the Case Summary, Case Information, Assignment Information, Party Information, Causes of Action (Civil, Family, Probate, and Mental Health cases), Case Events, Dispositions, Hearings, and Financial Information (when applicable). SMART SEARCH has Advanced Filtering Options (Civil Actions, Special Proceedings (nonconfidential), Estates, and Criminal Actions), in accordance with NCGS 7A-109(b)(1-4). SMART SEARCH houses crucial information and should be used in conjunction with NC JUDGMENT SEARCH to provide the most detailed listing of information. Select Advanced Filtering Options for options to filter your search by location (General Options), party name, DOB, etc. (Party Search Criteria), and/or case type, case status, case filing date range (Case Search Criteria).
- Search Hearings: You can search current court calendars for hearing locations and times. SEARCH HEARINGS allows users to search by case number, party name, business name, attorney name, attorney bar number, judicial officer, or courtroom.
- Make Payments: Criminal court fees and fines can be paid online without visiting the courthouse. The following payment types are accepted online: Cost and Fees, Restitution, Criminal Attorney Fees, Probation and Parole Fees.
- NC Judgment Search: Allows the public to search by a party’s name or case number for N.C. Judgment Indexes entered in the N.C. Judicial System’s database in accordance with NCGS 7A-109(b)(6). Results include judgments related to Civil, Family, Small Claims, Special Proceedings, Criminal, and Miscellaneous court items. The NC JUDGMENT SEARCH can be filtered to help users’ narrow results based on the case type, status, location, and date of the judgment. Results provided will feature case number, disposition status, index date and time, parties to the action, and judgment comments that are relevant to the disposition. However, to view the complete case summary, a searcher must navigate to the SMART SEARCH portlet.
eDiscovery
What this transition will mean for court employees, attorneys, and other end users
- Odyssey Integrated Case Management System (ICMS), the centerpiece of eCourts, is live in five counties. Once eCourts Odyssey ICMS is released in a county, ACIS and VCAP will be decommissioned for pilot county cases. From that point forward, court employees and end users will use Odyssey instead of ACIS and VCAP for cases in the eCourts counties but will continue to use ACIS and VCAP for cases in the remaining counties.
Other useful information for members of the Bar
