How to sign an e-Filed document
The Illinois e-filing mandate has caused a bit of confusion regarding how you should sign e-filed documents. Here are a few tips to help you through the changes.
In General…
You can use either an electronic image of your signature or the “/s/John Doe” as your signature of the pleadings.[1]
Also, when you log into your EFSP (electronic filing service provider), documents are deemed to be filed and personally signed by the holder of the logon ID.[2]
What about a document certified pursuant to §1-109 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure?
Paragraph 6(c) of the Supreme Court Electronic Filing Procedures and User Manual provides: “[a] document certified pursuant to Section 1-109 …may contain an electronic signature as described in subparagraph a.” This means that you can use “/s/John Doe” as the signature certified pursuant to Section 1-109.
Notarized, sworn to or under oath signatures
When you have a signature that is notarized, sworn to or made under oath, you must scan the document bearing the signature for e-filing and retain the original document for one year after the date of the final judgment in the proceeding. You must make the original document available for inspection by the court or other parties upon five business days notice.[3]
To find out more about how InfoTrack can help you e-File in Illinois, please contact us at (844) 340-3096.
References
[1] Par. 6, Illinois Supreme Court Electronic Filing Procedures and User Manual (http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/documents/SupremeCourt-eFileIL-Policy-User-Manual.pdf)
[2] Par. 5(b), Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368 – Electronic Signature Standards, http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Announce/2017/120817_9.pdf
[3]Id. at Par. 5(d).
