The Court offers a Pro Se Electronic Filing Portal (“Pro Se Filing Portal”) for individuals who are representing themselves (“pro se parties”) in civil actions in the Middle District of Tennessee. The Pro Se Filing Portal is for pro se parties ONLY. Attorneys must register and file documents via CM/ECF. Any documents submitted by attorneys or represented parties via the Pro Se Filing Portal will be rejected.
Before filing, please watch this short TRAINING VIDEO and carefully read the answers to all of the frequently asked questions below. You may download a copy of the filing instructions HERE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I file a new case electronically?
NO. To file a new case, you must mail or hand-deliver your complaint to the Clerk’s Office.
The address is:
Clerk’s Office
Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse
719 Church Street, Suite 1300
Nashville, TN 37203
2. What can I file electronically?
Once your case has been opened by the Clerk’s Office and a case number assigned, you may electronically file the following document types in the Pro Se Filing Portal:
- In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Application
- Consent to Electronic Service
- Proof of service documents
- Motion
- Supporting Memorandum of Law
- Response to Motion
- Response to Show Cause Order
- Reply in support of Motion
- Notice of address change
3. Is there a required document format for electronic filing?
YES. Documents must be scanned and saved in PDF format. If possible the documents should be text searchable. For information on how to create text searchable PDFs, look HERE.
It is your responsibility to make sure that all pages have been scanned to PDF format and that all pages are legible.
Incomplete or illegible documents, or documents submitted in any format other than PDF, will be rejected by the Clerk’s Office.
4. Can the Clerk’s Office assist with scanning?
NO. If you are unable to scan and upload your documents, you must submit them by mail or hand-delivery to the Clerk’s Office.
5. What information must I include in my documents?
- CONTACT INFORMATION. The document must include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
- CASE NUMBER. The case number must be included on the document.
- SIGNATURE. You must sign your document before you scan it. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
6. Can I file exhibits to support my filing?
YES. Exhibits can be uploaded but they must be clearly named on the face of the document. Exhibits must be scanned and uploaded separately.
7. Can I upload photographs, audio files, or video files?
NO. Photographs, audio files, and video files should not be uploaded. Any such files that are uploaded will be rejected.
8. Can I include questions for the Clerk’s Office in the documents filed?
NO. You must only include the documents you wish to be filed in your case. No one will read or respond to messages or questions submitted in addition to the filing. If you have questions, you may call the Clerk’s Office at 615-736-5498.
9. Will someone confirm receipt of my filing?
YES. The Clerk’s Office will download the filings, docket them, and mail you a copy of the filed documents. However, you can receive the documents faster by e-mail if you complete and submit a Consent to Electronic Service form.
10. Can I e-mail documents to the assigned judge or Clerk's Office instead?
NO. Any submission emailed to a court email address will be disregarded by the recipient.
11. Can I receive court documents by e-mail?
YES. Complete and upload, or mail/hand-deliver to the Clerk’s Office, a signed Consent to Electronic Service form.
12. Where do I electronically file the documents?
- The link to the Court’s Pro Se Filing Portal is below at the bottom of this webpage.
- After uploading your documents, do not close or leave the page until you receive notice that the file upload was successful.
- DO NOT mail or deliver hard copies of your filings to the Court after submitting them through the Portal.
If, after reading the information provided on this page, you still have questions regarding the Pro Se Filing Portal, you may call the Clerk’s Office at 615-736-5498.
Click here to open the USDC Middle District of Tennessee Pro Se Electronic Filing Portal