What type of Domestic cases are available for eFiling?

New and subsequent filings may be made in dissolution and custody cases. These are matters containing “CI” in the assigned case number.

The following types of new actions may be initiated:

• Petition for dissolution of marriage (contested/uncontested with or without children)
• Petition for Legal Separation
• Petition for Child Custody or Visitation
• Petition for Child Support

Subsequent filings available include pendente lite motions, child support motions, court scheduling and docketing, evidentiary and discovery matters, counsel/representation, modification and enforcement and other motions or documents.

Special filing actions are available for dissolution and custody cases. When filing a motion or other document into an existing case, the Filer will see a checkbox that says “Domestic & Family”.  By checking this box, special actions for these cases become available.

The box may be pre-checked already if the system has already identified the case as being domestic and family. If the box is pre-checked, the filer cannot override it in order to see domestic and family actions and must call the clerk to request the case type be changed.

How do I pay filing fees?

Like other types of eFilings, filing fees for new cases are due and payable at the time of filing. The filer may use a credit card or electronic check to pay fees online.

• Note: If the filing does not require a fee to be paid, nothing is due at the time of filing. Most subsequent filings do not have fees.

What if the jurisdiction assesses additional fees?

DRC Fees: Domestic Relations Commissioner fees are not collected up front with eFilings. Per FCRPP 4(5), DRC fees should be paid through the office of the circuit court clerk and shall be due on the fifth working day following the conclusion of the hearing.


Reopening Fees: FCRPP 3(5) requires a fee of $50.00 be paid by the movant in the domestic relations cases reopened after 6 months from the entry of the decree for the purpose of modifying the decree.

When filing a motion, the filer will be asked on the General Information tab “Does this motion ask to reopen the case and modify the decree after six months of its entry?”

If so, click yes and the $50.00 reopening fee will be added to the filing and must be paid prior to submitting the motion to the court. If the filer fails to indicate that a required reopening fee is necessary, the filing will be rejected.

How should a VS 300 form be filed with a divorce action?

When initiating a dissolution of marriage case, a VS-300 form is to be uploaded through eFiling. However, the Office of Vital Statistics also requires that an original VS-300 be submitted to the Circuit Clerk conventionally. VS-300 forms must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Clerk's office prior to the issuance of the decree.

Are all eFiled documents viewable in CourtNet 2.0?

Some documents are not available for public view in CourtNet 2.0, including Preliminary and Final Disclosure Statements and the VS 300. Parties to the action will receive these documents through the eRetrieval link that comes with the Notice of Electronic Filing, or should be served conventionally on persons who are not registered eFilers.

How do I file redacted documents?

eFilers must comply with CR 7.03 on privacy protections for filings made with the court. A redacted copy should be eFiled and the eFiler will maintain the original, unredacted copy in his or her files.

How do I file sealed documents?

Motions to seal, sealed documents, and documents to be filed in sealed cases must be filed conventionally and should be hand delivered of mailed to the office of Circuit Clerk.

How do I file in confidential actions?

Confidential cases are not yet available for eFiling. This release is limited to circuit level ("CI") dissolution, custody, and child support actions.

Which Counties currently accept eFilings?

eFilings are accepted statewide.

Is the Kentucky eFiling System the same as the Federal Courts PACER System?

No, the two systems are different. Separate account login information is required to access either system.

How does electronic filing benefit the Courts?

Kentucky Courts will see benefits that include:

• Reduced file storage.
• Reduced delays in retrieving court records.
• Electronic and automated docketing and scheduling.
• Ability to view electronically filed or scanned cases anytime during the day without searching for the physical case file

How does electronic filing benefit attorneys?

Benefits for Kentucky attorneys who participate in eFiling include saving time, gas and money.  Other benefits to using the electronic filing system include:

• Ability to file and view cases or documents outside of regular business hours.
• Electronic service to other registered filers.
• Ability to receive notices, orders and judgments from the court electronically.
• Elimination of courier fees.
• Reduction of postage or overnight delivery expenses.
• Reduction of office supplies and photocopies.
• Less space needed for file rooms.

Who is eligible to eFile?

Registration for eFiling is currently limited to:

• Licensed attorneys in good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association who have completed eFile certification;
• Judges and their staff; and
• Court administrative staff, including technical support staff.

What is the latest time that a document can be filed on any business day?

Documents can be filed as late as 11:59 p.m., eastern time.

Do documents need to be converted to a specific format before they can be eFiled?

Yes. Conversion to PDF/A or PDF format is required. Additionally, eFiled documents must meet the same requirements of format and page limits as paper documents conventionally filed pursuant to the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of Court, including page and word limits.

Additional requirements include the following:

• 8 1/2" x 11" size;
• At least 200 dot-per-inch (DPI) resolution;
• No unintelligible images (e.g., no all-black images);
• Documents must not be secured, password-protected, or have other features limiting access;
• No document shall contain any external hyperlinks; however, URLs are permissible;
• Only readable word and viewable pictures or images, and valid, non-corrupted tables shall be included;
• Documents must not be corrupted (e.g., a corrupt file having -0- bytes of data);
• Documents must comprise the complete image or file. The eFiler must ensure and verify that uploads to the eFiling system are properly completed.

Who should a filer contact for technical issues?

A filer experiencing technical issues should contact 502-782-8699 and ask for the KCOJ Service Desk. The help line will be available during the AOC's regular business hours, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.

Calls after that time will be forwarded to voicemail.

The filer can also send their questions to eCourtSupport@kycourts.net.

Are there any fees or costs associated with eFiling?

There is no cost to register for an eFiling account and there is no fee to file documents electronically. However, filling fees still apply. If you are submitting a new case or a document with associated fee or cost, the payment must be submitted in order for your documents to be filed.

At the end of your session as you prepare to pay the fees, there is an additional $6 service fee charged by LexisNexis (our payment vendor) which must be paid at that time.

If opposing counsel, or other attorneys on my case, are eFilers in a case, must I still use conventional service methods to ensure my documents are delivered?

No. Upon the electronic filing of a document, the court's eFiling system will automatically generate and send a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) to all eFilers/parties associated with that case, along with a hyperlink to the electronic document. Transmission of the NEF with a hyperlink to the electronic document constitutes service of the filed document under CR 5. No other service on those parties is required.

Parties not registered as eFilers must be served through conventional methods.

How can I tell whether other attorneys are eFilers in a case?

To determine if other attorneys on your case are registered eFilers, click on the “Service” tab within your case and the name of each registered attorney will appear along with the preferred method of service.

Does an eFiler need to present a summons to the clerk along with the initiating document?

No. The Clerk will generate a summons and issue it based on the eFiler’s requested method of service.