Document Requirements
All documents submitted through CottFile must meet the following requirements. Filings that don't comply may be rejected by the clerk.
File Format
- PDF is the preferred format — text-searchable PDFs are recommended
- TIFF and Word documents (.doc, .docx) are also accepted
- If your document is in another format, convert it to PDF before uploading
Tip: Most word processors (Microsoft Word, Google Docs) can export or "Save As" PDF. On Mac, you can also use Print → Save as PDF from any application.
File Size
- Maximum 300 MB per file
- If your document exceeds the limit:
- Compress the PDF using the built-in compress tool or external tools
- Split large documents into multiple files (e.g., "Exhibit A — Part 1" and "Exhibit A — Part 2")
- Reduce image resolution if the PDF contains scanned pages
Lead Document
- Exactly one document must be marked as the lead document in each filing
- The lead document is the primary filing in the envelope — typically the petition, motion, or main court paper
- Supporting documents (exhibits, affidavits) should not be marked as lead
Document Titles
Give each document a clear, descriptive title:
- Good: "Petition for Divorce", "Exhibit A — Lease Agreement", "Affidavit of Service"
- Bad: "Document1.pdf", "scan_001.pdf", "filing.pdf"
Why this matters: Clerks review dozens of filings per day. Clear titles help them process your filing faster and reduce the chance of rejection.
Document Types
Each document must be assigned a document type from the list provided (e.g., Petition, Motion, Brief, Affidavit, Exhibit, Subpoena). The available types depend on the case type you selected.
Special Markings
| Marking | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Sealed | Documents filed under seal (e.g., domestic violence cases, juvenile cases) |
| Redacted | Documents with sensitive information redacted per court rules |
Best Practices
- Review before uploading — make sure the PDF is complete, all pages are present, and the content is legible
- Check for signatures — if the document requires a signature, make sure it's signed before uploading
- Use OCR for scanned documents — if you're scanning paper documents, use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to make the text searchable
- Name files clearly — even though you'll set a title in the system, a clear filename helps if you need to re-upload