Wisconsin eFiling Update

A surreal image of a zebra and two of its black stripes

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

May 05, 2017 Vol 2, Issue 3

Mandatory eFiling in Wisconsin began almost one year ago to date, initiating a digital approach to filing and changing the way people conduct business with Wisconsin circuit courts. Processes that once chewed up hours and even days, can be managed in a matter of minutes, involving less paper, postage, and hassle than ever before. With an already abundant list of features, the eFiling System continues to evolve with additional tools to meet your filing needs. Read on to learn about some of the enhancements applied in the most recent release and get an update on all things eFiling.

What's new?

The following updates were recently introduced on the eFiling Website:

  • Uncertified copies of court documents are now accessible to filers. Uncertified copies provide filers with the ability to access annotation and editing features, and the flexibility to create multiple PDF documents when necessary.
  • Non-party filers are no longer subject to the 10-document upload maximum once enforced on the eFiling Website. Instead, CAPTCHA has been implemented to help mitigate malicious activity. CAPTCHA will be streamlined with the next software release to require only a single checkbox select to determine user authenticity.
  • The Affidavit of Nonmilitary Service has been replaced with the Declaration of Nonmilitary Service. Please select this document type from the drop down when eFiling this document.
  • When a proposed order is denied, it will now be included as part of the court record with an explanation for the denial clearly visible on the document for filers to reference.

What's on the horizon?

eFiling for special prosecutors and municipal attorneys. We're excited to announce that enhancements are in the works to accommodate eFiling for special prosecutors and municipal attorneys. Stay tuned for more on this and other updates in the next several weeks.

New case types coming in 2017. The eFiling System will be expanded later this year with additional case types. Civil liens, judgments, mental commitment, and guardianship cases will be enabled. eFiling will begin as voluntary for these case types during 2017 and become mandatory in 2018.

Who's eFiling near you?

Since our last eFiling update, nine counties have rolled out mandatory eFiling, including Dane, Iron, Menominee, Polk, Price, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, and Washburn. Another seven counties will implement by mid-June bringing the total number of counties on board to 57. See which counties are scheduled for implementations in the next several weeks:

  • Langlade–May 15, 2017
  • Lincoln–May 15, 2017
  • Forest–June 1, 2017
  • Lafayette–June 1, 2017
  • Sauk–June 1, 2017
  • Kenosha–June 15, 2017
  • Marinette–June 15, 2017
  • Crawford–July 5, 2017
  • Grant–July 5, 2017
  • Sheboygan–July 5, 2017
  • Door–July 17, 2017

Counties are also beginning to implement voluntary eFiling for probate and informal probate cases. The following counties are providing this service:

  • Ashland
  • Bayfield
  • Columbia
  • Florence
  • Iron
  • Ozaukee
  • Pepin
  • Polk
  • Shawano
  • Taylor
  • Walworth

For a more in-depth look at the state of eFiling in Wisconsin, visit our Participating counties page.

The more you know...

There is often confusion about whether or not to eFile discovery documents. Discovery documents should not be shared through the eFiling System. In addition, unless cover letters contain valuable information not found in the filing documents, there is no need to create and eFile this type of document either. Finally, once a document is eFiled, it is unnecessary to also mail and/or fax the filing to the clerk.

Who's eFiling near you?

Milwaukee County implemented mandatory eFiling on September 1. The remaining three counties, Brown, Monroe, and Burnett will make the leap by mid-October which means that all Wisconsin counties will participate in mandatory eFiling a little over one year following the enactment of the Supreme Court eFiling rule. Implementations are scheduled as follows:

  • Brown—October 2, 2017
  • Monroe—October 2, 2017
  • Burnett—October 16, 2017

Reach out to us!

Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you. If you have questions along the way, call us at 1 (800) 462-8843, chat with us, or email us at eFileSupport@wicourts.gov. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @ CCAP_Wisconsin!

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