File & Serve Training and Resources

Attorneys filing cases are required to use File & Serve. Self-represented individuals are optional. All users must register prior to using File & Serve.

How does File & Serve work?
File & Serve enables filers and courts to efficiently process documents and fees online. File & Serve and Guide & File may be used by attorneys and self-represented litigants. File & Serve manages the flow of information among filers, clerks, court personnel and judges:

• Filer Submits Documents: Filers log in to file case-­related documents online to any court in North Carolina.
• File & Serve Delivers Documents to the Court.
  • Note: Filers may "recall" a submission up until the time the clerk begins review of that submission. Once a clerk begins reviewing a submission, the filer must request, in writing, that the clerk reject the writing to prevent filing.
• Clerks Accept or Return for Correction Submissions: Court clerks receive the electronically filed documents and associated fees for processing and acceptance, review the documents, accept the filings or return them for correction, and provide an electronic timestamp notification to the filer for the accepted documents.
• See the Support and Training section below for resources and more information.

Is File & Serve secure?
Yes. The File & Serve system adheres to state and federal security regulations and meets Payment Card Industry Security Standards to protect filer and transaction information.

What is eService?
eService is a feature provided by File & Serve where documents are electronically served to other parties in a case via email. Using this option, you can track when each party received and opened the filing.

Note: Initial filing service must be served in person.

How do I serve other individuals with my documents?
Filers are responsible for accomplishing service of all filings as required by applicable court rules. For this purpose, filers may use the mail service, serve by hand delivery, send an email, or use File & Serve as it offers the option of electronic service of each filing to the designated service contact.

Can I use eService without filing a document with the court?
Yes, File & Serve may be used to exchange documents between parties without filing the documents through the courts.

Is File & Serve mandatory for my court?
It is mandatory for attorneys and optional for self-represented litigants. See the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.

What type of cases can I File & Serve?
All case types are available. Specific case types per court can be viewed by logging into File & Serve and viewing the available options.

Note: File & Serve for Appellate Courts and Business Courts are not in File & Serve.

When can I use File & Serve?
File & Serve is available 24/7. Consult your local court rules for court schedules. Note: The system may be temporarily offline from time to time for maintenance purposes.

Can I use File & Serve if I don't have a lawyer?
Yes, you can use File & Serve even if you don't have a lawyer, but you are not required to use the site. Self-represented litigants may use File & Serve and Guide & File with or without an attorney. Additionally, you may also file court documents at the courthouse.

You may view the Guide & File section to see if a guided interview is available for your case type. The service asks step-by-step questions to help you prepare court documents to file for certain case types. You may be able to file documents at the end of the process through Guide & File or File & Serve.

Learn more about finding an attorney and other information in our Help Topics.

Is there a fee to use File & Serve?
Not all File & Serve have fees associated with them. For those filings that fees are assessed, the amount is automatically calculated by the system based on the case, filing, and service information the filer provides.

• Standard court filing fees: Contact your local court for information on filing fees.
• Convenience fees: A convenience fee is assessed to cover the credit card processing fees.
• Service fees: A service fee is assessed for use of the File & Serve system.

File & Serve does not charge filing fees to the designated form of payment until the filing is accepted by the clerk. If a filing is rejected by the clerk, the filer will not be charged twice.

What is the convenience fee?
A convenience fee is assessed to cover the credit card processing fees.

What about filings with no charge?
Filers must select payment method when filing a document for which there is no charge, such as a proposed order. File & Serve will not charge that credit card, but the system requires this selection in order to accept the filing.

What about subsequent filings?
Users filing subsequent filings in a case must pay through "Additional Services" in order to ensure that fees are properly assessed.