eFiling your family law matter in the Commonwealth Courts Portal

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• published: 28 Jun 2016
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This demonstration will briefly step you through the process to eFile for family law matters in the Commonwealth Courts Portal, if you don’t have a lawyer and you are representing yourself. It will show you how to link yourself to an existing file or how to create a new file - if you do not have an existing file - and other useful tips. You’ll need a few things before you get started. A computer, scanner, internet access, the documents you intend to file to support your application, your username and password (if you are already registered), a mastercard or visa card (if a fee is payable) and a printer. Let’s get started. Open the website www.comcourts.gov.au and select ‘register now’. Enter your personal details, then create a username and password. Note the character requirements when creating a username and password If you have previously registered, type your username and password into the login boxes on the Portal homepage. If you have forgotten your username or password you can use the ‘forgotten username’ or ‘forgotten password’ links on the homepage or contact the National Enquiry Centre during business hours via Live Chat or email support@comcourts.gov.au If you want to eFile, but you do not have an existing file number, you’ll need to start a new file. To do this... Go to ‘your files’ in Family Law eFiling, then select ‘start a new file’. Confirm the statement, if you are filing on your own behalf. Create a new document by selecting the document you want to file and select which court you want to file in. You may be asked to upload documents to support your application. Only files in PDF are currently accepted up to 10mb and a limit of 100 pages. Enter a title and description for your records, then select create. You will then be asked questions to complete the application. You should save and validate each part as you go. If you need assistance during business hours, click on ‘Contact Us’ to contact the national inquiry centre by using live chat. If you want to eFile, and you have an existing file number, or if you have already registered and want to see your files, you’ll need to link your file to see it online. Go to ‘Your Profile’ and then ‘request access to your file’. You will be then be asked to enter your file number and client number, and then press ‘submit’. Your file number must include the full year at the end. If you do not know your file number or client number, go to contact us. If the link was successful, a pop-up screen with the message, ‘the requested link has been made’, will appear. You will then be directed to an area where all your linked files are stored. Select the required file number to open the file. If your file is closed your file will be listed in the ‘all files’ tab. Once opened you can start a new application, add a document on an existing file, file a response, set up email notifications, see court events and orders, and look at documents filed and parties. If you would like to search for files once you have logged in. Select the ‘available files’ tab to locate your file. Or you can search using the search bar. Type the file number and press ‘search’. When typing your file number, it must include the full year at the end. If your file is closed and you want to file a new application you will find your file in the ‘all’ tab. This will show all the available files that are linked to your Commonwealth Courts Portal account. Once you are registered and have linked yourself to your file you can also print your proof of divorce at no cost, if your divorce was finalised after the 13th of February, 2010. To find your file, go to the ‘available files’ tab. Or enter your matter name or file number in the ‘search for file’ field. You must include the full year at the end with no spaces. After clicking ‘available files’, locate your file number Select the Divorce application Go to court events and orders… Select view orders. From here you will be able to print off your divorce order at no cost. To access the portal, go to www.comcourts.gov.au You can talk to the National Enquiry Centre by using Live Chat on the homepage or email support@comcourts.gov.au