eFiling in the Juvenile Court

A brief overview of the eFiling process for cases in the Juvenile Court Department.

Overview of the eFiling Process

eFileMA allows attorneys, self-represented litigants, state agencies and others to easily file court documents through the internet. eFiling is currently available in all Juvenile Court divisions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

How do I register to use eFiling?

Go to eFileMA and click on the "Get Started!" icon. You will also find self-help tutorials, FAQ’s, and web training sessions to help you e-file for the first time.

What case types can be eFiled in the Juvenile Court?

At this time only Care & Protection cases are available for eFile.

Do I need to provide an original filing to the court?

No, unless a document is required by rule or statute to be filed in original form such as, but not limited to, an original will. See process below.

In order to be accepted by the court, all uploaded documents filed electronically MUST be legible, including the certified stamp or seal for any document that is required to be certified (e.g., a death or marriage certificate).

Do my filings need to be submitted in a certain order?

No, the Juvenile Court does not require filings to be submitted in a certain order.

Do I need to file everything using eFiling?

No. eFiling is not mandatory at this time.

Is there a fee to eFile?

No, there is no fee to file in the Juvenile Court but you must set up a payment account in order to eFile. When you reach the “filing fees” section of eFile it should always say $0.00.

Can I eFile in my existing court case with additional documents?

Yes, you can file more documents into your existing court case. This is referred to as filing a Subsequent Filing or filing a Subsequent Action. Any exhibits or attachments to your filings should not be eFiled. Please contact your local Juvenile Court for more information.

Can I eFile an Affidavit of lndigency?

Yes, an Affidavit of lndigency can be eFiled for your initial case filing and for Subsequent Actions. You may also need to include the Supplement to Affidavit of lndigency form when eFiling.

Will I be notified once I submit my documents and if they are accepted or returned?

Yes. You will receive an email with an envelope number once you submit your documents to the court. If an eFiling is returned, you will receive an email and all documents will be returned including a brief explanation as to why the filing is incorrect. 

What is an Envelope Number in Tyler?

An envelope number in Tyler represents the documents submitted by you when initiating a case or filing into an existing case. This envelope number is used to track the status of the eFilings until they are either accepted or returned.

I submitted a new case and it was returned. Only one of the documents was incorrect. Why weren't the other documents accepted?

If there is a document that is incorrect, the whole envelope will be returned. This keeps for accuracy of all the filings within the envelope when reviewing. If the correct documents are accepted and the incorrect is returned, the incorrect document would then need to be re-submitted as a Subsequent Filing.

If my submitted envelope is returned, do I have to upload all of the documents again to re- submit everything?

No. When you look into your returned cases, click the Action drop down and select "copy envelope." The documents will automatically upload into a new envelope. You will need to complete the party information, but the documents from the returned envelope will already be uploaded. This allows you to easily fix the incorrect filing(s) within the first envelope. Once all the necessary information is complete, you may re-submit the new envelope.

When eFiling, what do I select for "Filing Type" in the drop down as there are three options?

The options "EFile" and "EFile and Serve" allow you to either eFile your document(s) without service or copies to other parties. If you choose “EFile and Serve” you have the option to add recipients that will receive your documents via electronic service through the Tyler eFiling system.

Are you having a technical issue with the Tyler eFiling website?

You must contact Tyler using the number provided if there are any technical issues within the Tyler website. To contact Tyler: 1-800-297-5377. All procedural questions can still be directed to the court.

Contact

Date published: March 6, 2026
Last updated: March 6, 2026

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