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Circuit court eFiling - Opting in on an existing case as a filing agent

  • Updated

    • Purpose: A filing agent is an employee or non-lawyer representative appearing on behalf of a business or corporation. Filing agents can only opt into or create small claims cases. 

    Applicable Users: Filing agents

    Prerequisites:

    • If the case is a traditional paper case, it must be converted to an electronic case before filers can opt in. Contact the clerk of circuit court’s office in the appropriate county to request the case be converted from a paper case to an electronic case.
    • An eCourts account is required to participate in eFiling; refer to the article Creating an eCourts account for additional information.

    Steps:

    1. Visit the eFiling website at https://efiling.wicourts.gov/ and log in. For more information, see the Logging into Wisconsin circuit court eFiling guide.
    2. Select opt in from the main menu or the [Opt in] button from the bottom menu.
      Wisconsin Circuit court eFiling homepage with attention called to opt in menu option and button
      Note: You can also opt in by selecting the Opt in as an electronic party link on the my cases page.
      My cases screen with attention called to Opt in as an electronic party hyperlink
    3. Select the County the case is filed in and enter the applicable Case number. This information is located on the Electronic Filing Notice. Select the Party you are the filing agent for and select your Email address.
      Opt in screen with attention called to County dropdown, case number field, party selection dropdown and email address dropdown
      Note: Case numbers can be entered completely (e.g. 2024SC000001) or in an abbreviated format (e.g. 24SC1), but they must exclude dashes and spaces.
    4. If you are not already listed as the filing agent for the party selected in step three, you must upload an Appearance of filing agent document. Select the [Upload document] button to upload your Appearance of filing agent in .pdf format. 
      Note: There is not an official court form for a notice of filing agent. To submit this notice, create a form on your company’s letterhead with appropriate details about your role representing parties on the case.
      Opt in screen with attention called to the Upload document button in the Appearance of filing agent section
    5. If you need to file any additional documents, select the Yes radio button beneath "Do you need to file additional documents?" Select [Continue] to proceed to the document upload screen. For more information on uploading documents, review steps 5 and 6 of the article eFiling to an existing case.
      Do you need to file additional documents yes/no prompt on Opt in screen with attention called to Yes option and Continue button
    6. If you do not need to file any additional documents, select [Save] to proceed.
      Opt in screen with attention called to Save button
    7. On the Ready to file page, verify the information you entered, then select the checkbox next to the filing(s) you wish to submit, or select the checkbox next to a county name to submit all filings in that county. Then, select [File] or [File and Pay].
      Ready to file screen with attention called to checkbox next to the case opt in filing and File and Pay button
    8. Note: If you have set up a court debit account (CDA) with the circuit court you are filing in, you will have the option to choose a payment method. To learn how to set up a CDA, see the article Creating and managing a court debit account. It is your responsibility to ensure proper 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.
    9. On the Filings submitted page, select [Make payment with US Bank] to proceed to the US Bank ePayment website and pay associated filing fees. If fees were not assessed, the [Make payment with US Bank] button will display as [Return to main menu].
      Filing submitted success screen with attention called to Make payment with US Bank button
      Note: Once you have advanced to this page, do not close out of your browser window or take a break. Selecting [File and pay] at the bottom of the previous page initiates a connection with the US Bank ePayment website that only stays open for 10-15 minutes.
      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.
    10. After you submit your opt-in request, it is transmitted to the clerk of circuit court’s office and processed when both the request and payment (if fees were assessed) are received. Upon successful opt-in, you will receive an email notifying you that you are now an electronic notice (eNotice) party and the case will display in your My cases list. You can now access electronic documents and file documents on the case.
      Note: Opt-in requests that have not yet been processed display with a status of Opt in pending on the My cases page.

    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: )