★ ★★
CIVIL ELECTRONIC FILING (EFlLING)
IMPORTANT STATISTICS
AS OF JUNE 30, 2020
Civil Superior and Foreclosure eFiling
Counties implemented:
Chowan County
Wake County
Domestic Violence (DV) eFiling
Counties implemented:
Alamance County
Brunswick County
Cumberland County
Davidson County
Durham County
Forsyth County
Guilford County
Onslow County
Orange County
Rowan County
Wake County
Approximately 10,548 DVPO complaint
eFilings annually
North Carolina Business Court
13,766 eFilings annually
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING
Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court
"The use of domestic violence eFiling
is better for the victims and gives the
organizations like Family Services the
ability to offer wrap around services to
fully support them and their children. It
has made for a smoother process for our
citizens and the courts."
Wake County Assistant Clerk of
Superior Court
"In addition to being cost effective, eFiling
will bring our court to a level of technology
equal to the private sector."
Chief District Court Judge, District 18
"Initially, the introduction oftheeCourts
system for domestic violence was
challenging. However, now, two years later,
we consider the system an invaluable part
of the fabric of how domestic violence cases
are processed in Guilford County."
Guilford County Domestic Violence Victim
"I had to go through this process before
and it was so confusing. Being able to stay
in one place makes such a huge difference!
It is nowhere near as scary for me and my
kids."
Civil electronic filing (eFiling) allows civil court documents to be filed electronically and
applicable filing fees to be paid online via credit card or eCheck, court notices to be sent, and
court information to be retrieved via the internet. Currently, civil superior, special proceeding
foreclosure cases, complex business cases designated for the North Carolina Business Court,
and complaints for domestic violence protective orders may be filed electronically. Electronic
filers of civil superior cases and special proceeding foreclosure cases may file case data and
pay associated filing fees online. Civil Superior and Foreclosure eFiling has been successfully
implemented in Chowan and Wake counties.
The N.C. Business Court allows registered attorneys and pro se filers to securely file
documents electronically at any time. Users may also access court documents, case histories,
status notifications, and other information at any time. The web-based electronic filing
system also provides public access to case information online.
A program for domestic violence filers further expanded North Carolina's use of eFiling.
The system introduced an electronic process for the application of an ex parte domestic
violence protective order, which starts and ends at a domestic violence service agency that
is separate from the courthouse. The applicant files the petition, is heard by the judge, and
receives signed orders and notification regarding service on the defendant all while they are
in a secure, remote location. All matters are conducted electronically and through live video
feeds with judges, clerks, and sheriff's deputies, while the applicant receives wraparound
services from the domestic violence agency, such as safety planning, financial assistance,
housing, and child care.
The system will send automated email and text messages to alert the proper parties as
specific events occur in the case, such as service of the documents upon the defendant.
Local law enforcement has the ability to access the system via laptops in their patrol cars
or smartphones and view defendant identification forms, orders, and service documents.
Sheriff's deputies and administrative assistants may print summonses, notices, and orders
and enter data following service of these documents.
Alamance, Brunswick, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Onslow, Orange,
Rowan, and Wake counties are fully operational with the domestic violence eFiling system.
The system is expanding to additional counties with funding through a three-year grant from
the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Once
implementation concludes in 2019, the system will be live in approximately 16 counties and
serve more than half of the state's population.
Moving North Carolina closer to paperless courts
