MiFile Exhibit Filing Guide
MiFile is Michigan statewide electronic filing system, mandatory for attorneys in most courts. 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 26 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
Pretrial procedures require exhibit lists. Parties must identify documents or exhibits expected to be offered at trial.
MCR 2.401(H) Final Order
Final pretrial order includes stipulations regarding documents and exhibits. Exhibits must be pre-marked before trial.
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) requires pretrial conference materials per scheduling order, typically 28 days before trial. Check your case-specific order.
Exhibits Not Pre-Marked
Michigan requires exhibits to be pre-marked per MCR 2.401(H). 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 ensures your exhibits meet all MiFile requirements before you upload.
MCR Compliant
ExhibitPrep stamps meet Michigan Court Rules exhibit marking 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.
Ready to File with MiFile?
Stamp your exhibits now and upload to MiFile in minutes.
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?
Per MCR 2.401(D), pretrial conference materials are due per scheduling order, typically 28 days before trial. The final pretrial order must include witness and exhibit lists with stipulations. 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. Exhibits must be pre-marked per MCR 2.401(H). The final pretrial order should identify which exhibits are stipulated and which are contested.
ExhibitPrep provides general information about court exhibit practices, not legal advice. Requirements change — verify current rules with your court or clerk before filing.
Official MiFile Portal
Access the official MiFile system to file your stamped exhibits.
Visit MiFile →