MiFile Exhibit Filing Guide
MiFILE is Michigan's statewide e-filing solution, and attorneys must e-file required case types in courts where electronic filing has been implemented. Wayne County and Oakland County have Business Court divisions for commercial disputes. Michigan has strong case evaluation and summary disposition practice.
- MiFile is the electronic filing system for Michigan courts.
- The MiFile file size limit is Check MiFile for current caps.
- The primary accepted file format on MiFile is PDF format required.
- The official MiFile portal is at https://mifile.courts.michigan.gov/.
- ExhibitPrep applies exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the user’s computer.
- ExhibitPrep includes 29 court-ready stamp templates covering plaintiff, defendant, deposition, and joint exhibit designations.
- ExhibitPrep’s Trial Binder Mode builds exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1–A5), and an auto-generated table of contents.
MiFile Requirements
MCR 2.401 Pretrial
The court may order a joint final pretrial order that includes a list of exhibits. Check the court's pretrial order for whether you must identify the exhibits you expect to offer at trial.
MCR 2.401(H) Final Order
Final pretrial order includes stipulations regarding documents and exhibits. Check the assigned judge's pretrial or trial order for any requirement to pre-mark exhibits.
File Size Limits
Check MiFile for the current per-document cap. Note that trial exhibits are generally not filed with the clerk under MCR 2.518(A) — e-filing limits apply to pleadings.
Business Court Available
Wayne and Oakland Counties have Business Court for commercial disputes with specialized judges and streamlined procedures.
Accepted File Formats
- • PDF format required
- • Per-document caps apply — confirm current limits
- • Mandatory for attorneys
- • Text-searchable recommended
Common MiFile Filing Issues
Document size limit exceeded
Compress images or split large exhibits to stay within MiFile's current cap.
Exhibit List Not Filed
MCR 2.401(D) lets the court direct the attorneys to furnish trial briefs; confirm pretrial deadlines in the scheduling or pretrial order. Check your case-specific order.
Exhibits Not Pre-Marked
Under MCR 2.401(H), the court may order a joint final pretrial order that includes a list of exhibits with stipulations or objections to admissibility. Mark exhibits before the final pretrial conference.
Case Evaluation Deadline Missed
Michigan has unique case evaluation process. Check your scheduling order for case evaluation deadlines, which affect settlement discussions.
🆕 New: Trial Binder Mode for Multi-Exhibit Filings
Filing multiple exhibits with MiFile? Use Trial Binder Mode to create court-ready exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1-A5), and auto-generated table of contents. Great for complex filings with numerous exhibits.
Learn about Trial Binder ModeWhy Use ExhibitPrep for MiFile?
ExhibitPrep prepares embedded exhibit labels for your review. Inspect the export against the current MiFile requirements before you upload.
MCR Review
Prepare embedded exhibit labels, then compare the exported PDF with the current Michigan Court Rules requirements.
Business Court Ready
Works with Wayne and Oakland County Business Court procedures.
Standard File Sizes
Process exhibits efficiently within MiFile's current cap.
Case Evaluation Support
Prepare exhibits early for Michigan case evaluation process.
How to Prepare Exhibits for MiFile
Upload exhibits to ExhibitPrep
Ensure documents are within MiFile's current cap.
Select Michigan template
Choose P-# for plaintiffs or D-# for defendants per Michigan convention.
Add stamps and preview
Position exhibit stamps and preview. Pre-mark exhibits per MCR 2.401(H).
Download stamped exhibits
Export PDFs ready for MiFile submission.
Upload to MiFile portal
Log in to mifile.courts.michigan.gov and upload exhibits.
MiFile Guides by Practice Area
Practice-specific filing requirements and exhibit tips for MiFile.
Frequently Asked Questions about MiFile
What is the MiFile file size limit?
Check MiFile for the current per-document cap — limits change over time. Typical caps accommodates most exhibit compilations in civil litigation. For larger exhibits, split into multiple files or compress images.
What is Michigan case evaluation?
Michigan has a unique case evaluation process where a panel of attorneys evaluates the case and provides a settlement recommendation. MCR 2.403 governs case evaluation. Parties face economic consequences for rejecting evaluation and failing to improve their position at trial. This encourages settlement.
What is Michigan Business Court?
Wayne County (Detroit) and Oakland County have Business Court divisions for complex commercial disputes. Business Court offers specialized judges with business expertise, expedited scheduling, and streamlined procedures. Cases must meet minimum amount-in-controversy and complexity requirements.
When are exhibit lists due in Michigan?
MCR 2.401(D) lets the court direct the attorneys to furnish trial briefs; confirm pretrial deadlines in the scheduling or pretrial order. If the court orders a joint final pretrial order, it may include lists of witnesses and exhibits with stipulations or objections to admissibility. Check your case-specific scheduling order for exact deadlines.
How do I mark exhibits in Michigan courts?
Michigan typically uses P-1, P-2, P-3 for plaintiffs and D-1, D-2, D-3 for defendants. Under MCR 2.401(H), the court may order a joint final pretrial order that includes a list of exhibits with stipulations or objections to admissibility. The final pretrial order should identify which exhibits are stipulated and which are contested.
ExhibitPrep formats documents; it does not provide legal advice or filing approval. Some guidance remains unverified. Citations support only their stated claims and scope. Review the finished files against current court instructions and case orders before filing. Check requirements and the finished PDF before filing.
Official MiFile Portal
Access the official MiFile system to file your stamped exhibits.
Visit MiFile →