E-Filing Information

eFilers-

Per Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 21c(d) and Supreme Court Order Misc. Docket No 17-9039, Statewide Rules Governing Electronic Filing in Criminal Cases - Rule 4.4 the filer must notify the Clerk that your document must contain sensitive information. These documents will remain non-public.

As of February 15, 2024, the Fort Bend County Clerk will return all efiled documents containing unredacted sensitive information with the following notice:

Documents contain sensitive data. Please resubmit with all sensitive data redacted in accordance with the JCIT Rule 4.8.4. Please be advised, the STATE PROVIDED EFSP currently contains an auto redaction feature that provides both original and redacted versions upon acceptance. For inquiries on the redaction feature contact the e-filing provider. For further questions, please contact the Fort Bend County Clerk's Office at 281-341-8665. Thank you.

FORT BEND COUNTY CLERK

CRIMINAL E-FILING MANDATORY NOTICE

Pursuant to the Supreme Court Order - Misc. Docket No. 15-9205 [PDF], an order adopting statewide rules governing electronic filing in criminal cases has been adopted by the Fort Bend County Court at Law Courts, effective January 26, 2017.

Criminal electronic filing with the County Clerk's Office is now mandatory as of July 1, 2017. If you need assistance with e-filing, please see the FAQ link below or contact the County Clerk's Office. For additional information, please visit the Judicial Committee on Information Technology. 

• TJB/JCIT Electronic Filing [LINK]
• Fort Bend County Court at Law Courts Electronic Filing Order in Criminal Cases [PDF]
• Criminal E-File FAQs [PDF]
• Choose Your E-Filing Service Provider [LINK]

Your Public Servant, 

Laura Richard
County Clerk of Fort Bend County

To All Attorneys: February 6, 2017

Please take note the County Clerk's Office has modified the rule requirements regarding email addresses on specific documents submitted to our office for filing. 

EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE REQUIRED ON THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1. Applications – initial only, to open the case
2. Petitions – initial only, to open the case
3. Contest/Cross-Action/Count-Claims/Third Party
4. Motions – all
5. Answers/Responses – all

 EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE NOT REQUIRED ON THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1. Proposed Orders
2. Exhibits
3. Subsequent Applications (initial Application email is required)
4. Subsequent Petitions (initial Petition email is required)
5. Documents that are sworn to/notarized (cover letter not required)
6. Documents filed by an attorney in court
7. Will/Codicil
8. Court Instructions
9. Citation Returns
10. Birth/Death Certificates
11. Any document generated by the:
    1. Constable
    2. Private Process Server
    3. Sheriff 
    4. District Attorney
    5. County Attorney
    6. Court

As a reminder, the Texas Supreme Court issued an order on June 14, 2016, that requires all Texas attorneys provide the State Bar of Texas with an email address for use in the statewide e-filing system and other communications. Please see Supreme Court Order - Misc. Docket No. 16-9095 [PDF] for further information.

Your Public Servant,

Laura Richard
County Clerk for Fort Bend County