What services do you offer at Legal Document Server?

Legal Document Server provides a comprehensive set of litigation support services, including:E-Filing (California)E-Service (Nationwide)Physical Court Filing (Nationwide)Courtesy Copy Delivery (Nationwide)Process Serving (Nationwide)Records Retrieval (Nationwide)Skip Tracing (Nationwide)We are also a court approved E-Service/Bulletin Board provider for attorneys involved in complex or multi-party cases. For more information , please visit our E-Service page. If you need further assistance with court-related matters, such as hearing dates or case information, please contact your local court. Thank you. To get started, please CREATE AN ACCOUNT.

Can you help me prepare my documents before filing?

No, we cannot prepare your documents for you as we are not licensed attorneys. If you need help with preparing your documents, please contact an attorney or a Legal Document Assistant.

Can you give me legal advice or help me with my case?

No, we are not licensed attorneys and cannot offer any legal advice or assistance with your case. Please contact an attorney or the court for assistance.

Where can I get more information about court procedures and court forms?

Please contact an attorney, a Legal Document Assistant, visit your court’s Self-Help Center, or visit the California Court’s website at:Self Help: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htmForms: https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm

What counties in California does Legal Document Server support for eFiling?

Legal Document Server supports eFiling in all 58 California counties. Our system is integrated with the courts\u0027 electronic filing service providers, allowing you to eFile documents in any California Superior Court. To get started, simply create an account and select the county where you need to file.

What is E-Service and how does it work?

E-Service (Electronic Service) is the electronic delivery of legal documents to other parties in a case, as an alternative to traditional mail or personal delivery. Legal Document Server is a court-approved E-Service provider. Through our platform, you can serve documents electronically to other registered parties, receive proof of service, and maintain a complete record of all served documents. E-Service is available nationwide and is accepted in most jurisdictions for applicable document types.

Please view our full list of services and rates here: https://legaldocumentserver.com/pricing/

How much does it cost to eFile?

E-filing costs $11.75 per order (This does not include court fees. We will advance court fees as necessary which will include a 4.75% fee for ACH and 6.75% fee for Credit Cards).

How are your prices for physical service structured?

Our prices for each service are based on the location you need us to go to (Urban/Suburban/Remote) and how quickly you need us to go to that location (Routine/Priority/Urgent/On-Demand). Please see our complete list of rates on our pricing and deadlines page: https://legaldocumentserver.com/pricing/

If my eFiling gets rejected, do I have to pay the eFiling fee again?

Yes, you must pay our E-Filing fee for each order you place. No exceptions.

Does my fee waiver cover your costs?

A fee waiver covers our costs for E-Filing ONLY. Fee waivers do not cover any services that require us to physically go out to file, deliver, retrieve or serve documents. Fee waivers do not cover our fees for Process Serving, Court Filing, Courtesy Copy Delivery, or Document Retrieval.

Are court fees included in your pricing?

No, court fees are not included in our pricing. Our price list is for our fees only, you would also have to pay any court fees charged by the court for your order. We will advance court fees as necessary which will include a 4.75% fee for ACH and 6.75% fee for Credit Cards).

If I add an additional address and/or an additional round of attempts to my process serving order, does it cost extra?

Yes, you would pay the regular process serving fee for each address and each round of attempts added to a process serving order.

How do I begin placing an order?

To get started, the first thing you must do is create an account here: https://legaldocumentserver.com/create-an-account/

How do I create an account?

To sign up for an account, please go to: https://legaldocumentserver.com/create-an-account/Step-by-step guide on creating an account

What information do you need from me when I sign up?

When you sign up for an account you will need to provide your name, address, phone number, email address, and payment information. Also, you will need to select whether you are an attorney or self-represented. If you are an attorney, you will also need to provide your state bar number.

How do I place an order?

Once you have signed up for an account, please sign into your account at https://legaldocumentserver.legalconnect.com/Login and click “place order” on your dashboard. Then you will select what you would like to do (ex. E-filing or Process Serving) in the drop down and go through each tab to place your order. Please view the following tutorials:How to place a Physical Court Filing order(VIDEO)How to place a Courtesy Copy Delivery orderHow to place an E-Filing order for initiating cases(VIDEO)How to place an E-Filing order for subsequent cases(VIDEO)How to place a Process Serving order for a single entityHow to place a Process Serving order for multiple entitiesHow to place a Document Retrieval orderHow to place a Skip Trace orderHow to place a County Recording orderHow to place a Secretary of State Filing order

What information will it ask me while placing an order?

For an e-filing or court filing order, you will need case information, such as what court you are filing in, case number, case participants, etc. For a Process Serving order you will need the name and address of the party you want served, plus the case information. Our system will ask for all the necessary information in order to process your order. If you are unsure, please contact us at (800) 6872-5003 Ext. 2.

How do I know if the court I am filing with allows eFiling?

Please check your local court’s website in the county you are filing in to see if they allow E-Filing and to find out what types of cases/documents can be E-Filed. E-Filing is mandatory at some courts.

What is the difference between case initiation and subsequent filing?

Case initiation would be selected if it is a new case that has not yet been assigned a case number. Subsequent filing is for cases that are already open and for which a case number has already been assigned.

What does it mean when it asks me if I want a courtesy copy delivered?

A Courtesy Copy is an extra copy of your documents that is physically delivered directly to the courtroom. Courtesy copies may be necessary in Complex Civil Cases or in cases where the judge has ordered that a courtesy copy be delivered to the courtroom. Please contact your local court if you do not know if your case/filing requires a courtesy copy delivery.

If I am opening a new case, do I have to enter the case participants in the case participants tab?

Yes, when filing a new case, you would need to list all plaintiffs and defendants that are listed on your case documents in the case participants tab. If you are an attorney, you would also need to add yourself to the case participants tab.

How do I update/change information for a case participant?

To update or change information for a case participant, click the pencil next to their name in the case participant tab. You will be able to update the participants contact information, select if the participant is self-represented, and select if the participant has a fee waiver on file with the court.

How do I upload my documents?

When you are on the documents tab in your order, type the document title into the box and then select the closest option that pops up. Once you have selected the document title, you then select Browse and look for the document in your documents.

How do I make my documents text searchable?

Open your document in your Adobe/PDF program on your computer. Once your document is open, select “Tools” and then select “Scan & OCR”. Then select “Recognize Text…in this File” and click the blue “Recognize Text” button. Once it is finished making your document text searchable just click close and then click save.

What if I cannot find my document type when typing it into the search bar on the documents tab?

First, when typing the document type into the search box, enter just a main keyword from the document title (ex. Complaint or Response). Then look through the options that pop up for that key word and select the closest match. Also, you can choose the document with the statement “(name extension)” next to it and that will allow you to enter more information regarding your document title after you have uploaded your document.

Do I need to check “Authorize Legal Document Server to pay my court fees” in the fees tab?

Yes, checking this box allows the court to charge Legal Document Server for any court fees that are associated with the documents you are filing. If you do not check the box and there is a court fee associated with the document you are filing, the court will reject the filing.

What if I am unable to place an order myself, can you place the order on my behalf?

Yes, we do offer “Assisted Filings” for customers that cannot or do not wish to place their own order. The cost for Assisted Filings is $40.00. If you wish to do an Assisted Filing, please email your documents to support@legaldocumentserver.com. Please include in the email your account number and instructions on exactly what you need us to do with your documents (ex. You need the documents e-filed at LA Superior Court).

Can I cancel or make changes to my eFiling order?

No, E-Filing orders cannot be cancelled or changed. Once you submit your E-Filing order, your documents are submitted directly to the court for processing and cannot be altered.

Can I cancel my Court Filing, Courtesy Copy Delivery, or Process Serving Order and not get charged?

You can only cancel one of these order types without being charged if the courier has not printed and filed/delivered/served the documents yet. Once the courier has made a trip to the court or to the place of service, you will get charged even if you attempt to cancel the order.

How and when do I have to pay for my order?

All payments are processed with your ACH account or Credit Card on file upon completion of your order. A copy of your paid invoice will be sent to you once the payment has been successfully processed.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept ACH and Credit Cards. We also have weekly or monthly payment options for law firms based upon volume and agreed upon terms.

If service is unsuccessful on my process serving order, do I still have to pay?

Yes, you must pay for your process serving orders if the subject was unable to be served. You will also be provided with a Declaration of Due Diligence as your proof of attempted service.

If my eFiling gets rejected by the court, do I still have to pay?

Yes, you still must pay the E-Filing fee if your order gets rejected by the court. However, the court will not charge you for any fee advances if they reject a document.

How do I update my payment information?

Sign into your account and click MY PROFILE located at the top right corner of the page. Then click the PAYMENT INFORMATION tab and edit. CLICK HERE for a step-by-step tutorial.

How do I update my payment method in my account?

Sign into your account and click on MY PROFILE located at the top right of the page. Then click the PAYMENT INFORMATION tab and click edit. CLICK HERE for a step-by-step tutorial.

How do I reset my password if I forgot it?

Go to: https://legaldocumentserver.legalconnect.com/LoginClick on Forgot Password on the login page.

How do I update my email address?

Sign into your account and click on MY PROFILE located at the top right of the page. Then click the USER SETTINGS tab and edit.

How do I add users to my existing account?

Sign into your account and click on MY PROFILE located at the top right of the page, then click the USER SETTINGS tab. Then click on the CREATE NEW USER BUTTON below.How to add user to an existing account tutorial

How long does process serving typically take?

Standard process serving is typically completed within 5-7 business days, depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances. Rush and same-day service options are available for urgent matters. Legal Document Server provides real-time status updates so you always know where your service stands.

Do you offer nationwide process serving?

Yes, Legal Document Server offers process serving services nationwide. We have a network of experienced, professional process servers across all 50 states. Whether you need local or out-of-state service, we can handle your process serving needs efficiently and provide you with proof of service upon completion.

What happens if the person being served cannot be located?

If the person being served cannot be located after diligent attempts, we will provide you with a detailed Declaration of Due Diligence / Non-Service outlining all attempts made. You may then explore alternative methods of service, such as service by publication or substituted service, depending on your jurisdiction\u0027s rules. We also offer skip tracing services to help locate hard-to-find individuals.

What types of documents can be served?

Legal Document Server can serve a wide variety of legal documents, including but not limited to: Summons and Complaints, Subpoenas, Restraining Orders, Divorce/Family Law documents, Eviction Notices, Writs, Court Orders, and other legal notices. If you have a specific document type you need served, please contact us to confirm.

What is skip tracing and when is it needed?

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person who cannot be found at their known address or contact information. This service is often needed when you have to serve legal documents but the individual has moved, is avoiding service, or their whereabouts are unknown. Our skip tracing team uses databases, public records, and investigative techniques to locate individuals so that service of process can be completed.

How long does skip tracing take?

Skip tracing typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on the complexity of the search and the availability of information. Some cases may be resolved more quickly if the individual is relatively easy to locate, while more complex cases involving individuals who have actively concealed their whereabouts may take longer. We will keep you updated on the progress of your skip trace.

What document retrieval services do you offer?

Legal Document Server offers comprehensive document and records retrieval services, including: retrieval of filed court documents, certified and uncertified copies of court records, conformed copies of filed documents, and retrieval of records from government agencies. We handle retrievals from courts and agencies nationwide, saving you the time and effort of going in person.

How do I request document or records retrieval?

To request document or records retrieval, simply log into your Legal Document Server account and place a new order selecting \u0027Document Retrieval\u0027 as the service type. Provide the case details, specify which documents you need, and our team will handle the rest. You can also contact us directly by phone or email to place a retrieval request if you need assistance.

California E-Filing Updates: What Changed Across Counties in Early 2026

Your One Stop Shop For Litigation Support Solutions! (800) 687-5003

27 Apr

California E Filing Updates What Changed Across Counties In Early 2026 - Legal Document Server

California’s e-filing landscape continues to evolve, with courts updating their local rules, expanding case type coverage, and adjusting procedures on a rolling basis. If your firm files across multiple counties, staying current on these changes is essential to avoiding rejected filings and missed deadlines.

Here’s a summary of the most notable changes from the first quarter of 2026.

Expanded E-Filing Mandates

Several counties that previously limited mandatory e-filing to civil unlimited cases have expanded their mandates in early 2026 to include additional case types. Family law, probate, and unlawful detainer filings are now mandatory e-file in an increasing number of jurisdictions. Firms that were previously filing these case types on paper should confirm their county’s current local rules to avoid compliance issues.

Filing Fee Adjustments

Court filing fees are adjusted periodically under California Government Code, and several counties have implemented updated fee schedules for 2026. First paper filing fees, motion fees, and some case-specific surcharges have been updated. Your e-filing provider should reflect these changes automatically, but it’s worth verifying that the fees applied to your filings match the current published schedule for your county.

Document Format Enforcement

Courts are continuing to tighten enforcement of electronic filing format requirements. The most common areas of increased scrutiny include: PDF/A compliance, mandatory text searchability (no image-only PDFs), proper document titling that matches the court’s naming conventions, and file size limits. If your firm has seen an uptick in filing rejections, document formatting is likely the cause.

E-Service Adoption Growing

Alongside e-filing, electronic service (e-service) continues to gain adoption. More courts and opposing counsel are accepting or requiring e-service for post-filing documents, which eliminates the cost and delay of physical delivery for motions, discovery, and correspondence. If your firm hasn’t set up e-service capabilities, 2026 is the year to do it.

How to Stay Current

The most effective way to stay ahead of county-specific changes is to work with an e-filing provider that monitors local rules across all 58 counties and updates its platform accordingly. At Legal Document Server, our team tracks court rule changes, fee updates, and new mandates so that your filings stay compliant without your team needing to manually check every county’s website.

Have questions about a specific county’s e-filing requirements? Contact our team or visit our county e-filing pages for current information on filing in any California superior court.

Legal Document Server (LDS) is California’s trusted e-filing and litigation support provider. Court-approved EFSP serving all 58 California counties.

Call us: (800) 687-5003
Email: in**@*****************er.com