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Circuit court eFiling - eFiling an amended summons and complaint

  • Updated

    • Purpose: Amend a small claims or civil summons and complaint using the following steps. Only the original eFiler (plaintiff or petitioner) can file an amended complaint.

    Applicable Users: eFiling users filing on an existing case

    1. Visit the eFiling website at https://efiling.wicourts.gov/ and log in. For more information see the article Logging into Wisconsin circuit court eFiling.
    2. Select my cases from the main navigation or the [My cases] button from the bottom menu.
      Main efiling window with focus on my cases tab and tile.
    3. Enter the case number or caption in the search filter fields on the My cases page to quickly locate the case you wish to file on. The Case no. filter allows you to enter a complete case number or just the case type (CV, FA, SC, etc.). Use the County dropdown list to filter cases by the county in which they are filed. Use the arrows at the top of each column to sort the My cases list alphabetically by county, caption, status, and attorney, and numerically by case number.
      Focus on click here to search in my cases window, and general case information fields.
      Note: To view and file on closed cases, select the Click here to search link near the top of the page. Cases in Submitted status have not been reviewed or processed by the court. Documents cannot be filed on submitted cases until the case has been accepted. After the court reviews and processes the case, the filing status changes to Open and additional documents may then be filed.
    4. Once you locate the case, select the File amended complaint link in the Actions column. Example case view with table showing case detials like name, status, attorneys, and actions with focus on File amended Complaint.Allowable amendments are:
      • requesting a new return date;
      • adding a new party;
      • changing a party address; and/or
      • uploading an amended summons and complaint.
    5. Select [Continue] on the Amend filing page. Then, select [Continue] on the Case information page.
      Focus on the continue button.
    6. The Parties page offers options to include additional parties, edit existing party addresses and select service options. Select the Edit link next to the applicable party to edit their address or choose a service option.Option with focus on Add party and editing current parties field.Note: If you wish to amend the name of an existing party, list the corrected name in your Amended Summons and Complaint document. The clerk of court can update the name upon reviewing your submission.
    7. Once you have finished reviewing or editing the parties on the case, select [Continue].
      Focus on continue button after editing parties window.
    8. Select [Upload documents] to browse for and upload your amended complaint. Review the bulleted specifications list to ensure your documents are properly formatted.
      Note: The yellow banner will tell you what document is required, if any, for the selected action.
      Upload document window with warning message that amended summons and complaint is needed.
    9. From the Document type dropdown menu, select Amended Summons and Complaint, and enter a descriptive title in the Document title text entry field. Select [Continue]. Focus on Document type selection to select amended summons and complaint, to enter document title, and after to click continue.Note: An accurate and descriptive title is beneficial for identifying documents. The title entered here displays in the View documents list on your My cases page and is visible to the courts.
    10. On the Review page, review the modifications for accuracy. Select a document link to open and review your uploaded file. Select [Continue] when you are ready to proceed.Review window of Amended summons and complaint document ready to file. Focus on continue button.
      Note: The Notes to Clerk text entry field functions like a virtual sticky note on your filing. Anything entered in this field displays to the clerk while they process your filing, but is deleted.
    11. On the Ready to file page, select the checkbox next to the filings(s) you wish to submit, or select the checkbox next to a county name to submit all filings in that county. Choose a payment type (if applicable), and select [File] or [File and Pay].Checkbox selected with amendment and focus on file and pay button.
      Note: If you have set up a court debit account (CDA) with the circuit court you are filing in, you have the option to choose a payment type. To learn how to set up a CDA, see the “Creating and managing a court debit account” article. It is your responsibility to ensure sufficient funds are available in the account at the time of filing.
      If paying with a credit/debit card or eCheck via the US Bank ePayment website, a transaction fee will be applied to the total.
    12. On the Filings submitted page, if payment is due, select [Make payment with US Bank] to proceed to the US Bank ePayment website and pay the associated filing fees. If fees were not assessed, the [Make payment with US Bank] button display as [Return to main menu] instead.
      Focus on make a payment with US Bank button and error message stating filing will not be processed unless electronic payment complete.
      Note: Once you have advanced to this page, do not close your browser window or take a break. Selecting the [File and pay] button at the bottom of the previous page initiates a connection with the US Bank ePayment website that exists for 10-15 minutes.
      If you wait longer than that to complete your payment or exit the system before the payment process is complete, you will need to select the $ payment needed link in the main navigation to make payment. You may need to wait 1-2 hours for the filing in need of payment to appear. Your filing will not be processed by the county until payment has been made. Filings will expire after 48 hours without payment. 
      Focus on payment needed (1) option in tab.
      US Bank is the vendor that processes circuit court credit card and electronic check transactions. You do not need a US Bank checking or savings account to pay for filings on the US Bank ePayment website. You can pay using a Visa card, MasterCard, or electronic check.
    13. After you submit your filing, it is transmitted to the circuit court and processed when both the filing and payment (if fees were assessed) are received. You will receive an email confirmation and the file-stamped document(s) will be visible on the My cases page of the eFiling website where you can print them for service to paper notice parties on the case.
      Note: Submitted documents that have not yet been processed display in Submitted status on the My cases page. They are not visible to other parties until they have been processed.

    Support

    Contact the eFile support center if you have further questions. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for court holidays.

    Phone: 1-800-462-8843
    Online support form: https://www.wicourts.gov/ecourts/efilesupportform.htm
    Email: efilesupport@wicourts.gov

    Wisconsin Court Systems (Updated: )