How to fax documents to a court clerk
Some courts accept filings by fax; others require advance permission, cap the page count, or don't allow it at all. The rules are set court by court — so the first step is always the same: check before you send.
Step 1: Confirm the court accepts fax filing
"Fax filing" rules vary enormously between states and even between courts in the same county. A few real examples of what you might find in a court's local rules:
- Permission first. Some clerks require you to call ahead with the case number, document name, and page count before they'll accept a fax.
- Page limits. Caps of 30 to 50 pages (including the cover sheet and exhibits) are common; longer filings need court approval or must be filed another way.
- Fees. Courts may charge a per-page fax fee on top of the normal filing fee, and each has its own way of collecting payment for a faxed filing.
- Not accepted. Many courts have moved to mandatory e-filing and no longer take fax filings for most document types.
Find the answer in the court's local rules (search the court's website for "facsimile filing" or "fax filing") or just call the clerk's office and ask. Ask specifically: is fax filing allowed for this document type, what number, what must the cover sheet contain, and how is any fee paid.
Step 2: Prepare the filing
- Build the cover sheet the court requires At minimum: case caption and number, document title, total page count including the cover, your name and contact information. Some courts publish a required fax cover form — use theirs if one exists.
- Put the case number on every page Fax pages get separated. A case number in the corner of each page keeps your filing intact if they do.
- Combine everything into one PDF Cover sheet first, then the document, then exhibits, in the order the court expects.
Step 3: Send it and keep proof
You don't need a fax machine — an online fax service delivers to the clerk's fax line the same way. Upload the PDF at faxer.me, enter the court's fax number, and pay $1 for the first page plus 25¢ per additional page, no subscription; the real-time delivery confirmation is worth keeping with your case file. Then follow up with the clerk to confirm the document was accepted and docketed — the docket entry, not the fax confirmation, is what makes it officially filed.
Fax the clerk's office now
Upload your filing, enter the court's fax number, pay $1 for the first page. No sign-up.
Go to faxer.me →Frequently asked questions
Do all courts accept filings by fax?
No. Fax filing is governed by each court's local rules: some accept it routinely, some only with advance permission from the clerk, and many — especially courts with mandatory e-filing — don't accept fax filings at all for most documents. Check the court's local rules or call the clerk's office before sending anything.
Do I need permission before faxing a court clerk?
Often, yes. A number of courts require you to call the clerk first with the case number, document title, and page count, and some documents (like those requiring a filing fee) may not be accepted by fax without prior approval. The clerk's office can tell you in one phone call whether your document qualifies and what the procedure is.
What goes on a fax filing cover sheet?
Typically the case caption and case number, the title of the document being filed, the total number of pages including the cover sheet, and the filer's name, address, and phone number. Some courts require their own cover form or specific certifications, and some collect fax fees via information you provide on the cover sheet — use the court's version whenever one is published.
Does my fax confirmation prove the document was filed?
It proves the clerk's fax system received the transmission, which is valuable evidence — but a document is filed when the clerk accepts and dockets it. Faxes received after business hours are commonly deemed filed the next court day. Always follow up with the clerk to confirm the filing was accepted, and check the docket if the case has online access.