Court Filing PDF Preparation
Filing deadlines wait for no one. Manual exhibit preparation is tedious, error-prone, and wastes billable time. Add professional, embedded stamps in minutes, then inspect the exact PDFs against the target court’s current e-filing requirements.
- Each federal court sets its own CM/ECF file-size limit, so confirm the current limit with your court.
- Each California court specifies its own e-filing format, so confirm the file-size limit with your court's e-filing system.
- Manual exhibit stamping with text boxes takes 45 to 75 minutes for a typical 15-exhibit filing.
- ExhibitPrep stamps a 15-exhibit filing in 5 to 8 minutes directly in the browser.
- Scanned documents should run through OCR before uploading so they stay text-searchable after stamping.
- ExhibitPrep preserves existing text searchability when it adds a stamp, without altering the underlying document content.
- Exhibits should be organized in the order they're cited in the accompanying pleading or motion before stamping.
- Stamped exhibits can be combined into one PDF with an auto-generated table of contents for filing as a single exhibit binder.
It's 4pm and your filing is due at 5pm...
The motion is written, but 15 exhibits still need stamps. Each one requires opening, adding text, positioning, and saving. At 3-5 minutes per document, you're looking at an hour of work—time you don't have.
Court Filing Preparation Workflow
Follow this workflow to prepare professional court filings efficiently. ExhibitPrep handles the exhibit stamping—the most time-consuming step.
Gather Documents
Collect all filing components: main pleading, declarations, exhibits, and proposed orders. Verify nothing is missing before you start.
Organize Exhibits
Arrange exhibits in the order referenced in your brief. Sequential organization helps the court follow your arguments.
Upload to ExhibitPrep
Drag and drop all exhibit PDFs. Upload multiple files at once for batch processing—no need to stamp one at a time.
Configure Stamps
Select your party template and add case information. Settings apply to all exhibits for consistent formatting.
Preview and Verify
Review stamps on each document before processing. Drag to reposition if needed. Catch errors before downloading.
Export for Filing
Download individually, as ZIP, or combined PDF with table of contents. Files are ready for immediate e-filing upload.
E-Filing System Compatibility
CM/ECF (Federal)
Court-specific size limit; confirm with your court
CompatibleFile & ServeXpress
Size limit set by each court or e-filing system
CompatibleOdyssey File & Serve
Format set by each court; text searchable when feasible
CompatibleState e-Filing Portals
Limits vary by court; confirm the current limit
CompatibleExhibitPrep creates standard PDF files with embedded stamps that can be reviewed against your filing system’s requirements. Check file size, PDF format, and your court’s requirements before filing.
Filing Preparation Best Practices
Filing Best Practices
- Prepare filings at least 24 hours before deadline
- Verify all exhibits match references in your brief
- Use consistent stamp formatting across all exhibits
- Check file sizes before uploading to e-filing system
- Preview the final PDF before submitting
- Keep copies of all submitted documents
Common Filing Mistakes
- Waiting until the last hour to prepare exhibits
- Submitting exhibits with inconsistent labeling
- Exceeding file size limits (causes rejection)
- Using image-only PDFs when text-searchable is required
- Stamps that obscure document content
- Forgetting to include referenced exhibits
Filing Preparation Time Comparison
| Method | 15 Exhibits | Learning Curve | E-Filing Ready? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExhibitPrep | 5-8 minutes | Instant | |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | 20-30 minutes | Moderate | |
| Manual (Text Boxes) | 45-75 minutes | Low | |
| Paralegal/Staff | 60-90 minutes | Training required |
Court Filing Preparation Questions
What does court filing preparation include?
Court filing preparation encompasses stamping exhibits with proper labels, organizing documents in logical order, combining multiple files into a single PDF when appropriate, verifying PDF compatibility with e-filing systems, and checking the exported documents against the applicable technical requirements. ExhibitPrep handles exhibit stamping, which is often the most time-consuming part of filing preparation.
How do I prepare exhibits for e-filing?
For e-filing, exhibits are commonly submitted as PDFs with embedded stamps, searchable text when possible, and clear exhibit identifiers. ExhibitPrep adds exhibit identifiers and preserves existing PDF text; it does not provide OCR for scans. Inspect the exact export and verify the receiving system’s current file-size, formatting, and submission rules before filing.
Can I combine multiple documents into one court filing?
Yes. ExhibitPrep can combine multiple stamped exhibits into a single PDF with an auto-generated table of contents. This is ideal for creating exhibit binders, motion packets, or trial exhibit compilations. Each exhibit retains its individual stamp while being organized in one downloadable file.
What file size limits do courts impose?
E-filing file-size limits vary by court and system, so confirm the current limit before filing. Each federal court sets its own CM/ECF file-size limit per document, so confirm it with your court. State systems vary by court, so confirm the current file-size limit with your court's e-filing system. For larger exhibit sets, you may need to split into multiple filings or use court-approved external storage.
Do I need to OCR my documents before filing?
Some courts require text-searchable documents; California rule 2.256(b) requires e-filed documents to be text searchable when technologically feasible. If your documents are scanned images, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) makes them searchable. ExhibitPrep preserves existing text searchability when adding stamps. For scanned documents, run OCR before uploading for best results.
How far in advance should I prepare court filings?
Prepare filings at least 24 hours before the deadline to allow time for review, corrections, and technical issues. ExhibitPrep makes last-minute preparation possible—a typical bundle stamps in under two minutes—but building in buffer time prevents filing deadline stress.
Ready to Prepare Your Court Filing?
Professional exhibit preparation in minutes. Free to preview; purchase when ready to save.
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