MDEC Policies & Procedures 9

registered user is an attorney (paralegal, assistant, or other staff member in the attorney’s

office), for the attorney’s client(s). A registered user may not file a submission in MDEC for

any other person or entity. Violation of this policy will result in a Deficiency Notice being

issued and may result in an order suspending or revoking the filer's registration.

EXCEPTION: If a person or entity has been certified by both JIS and Tyler Technologies as a

“Vendor Electronic Filing Service Provider (VEFSP)”, the VEFSP may file on behalf of another

Judges, judicial appointees, court clerks and judicial personnel, as defined in Rule 20-101.

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person or entity. For more information regarding certification requirements, please visit

https://mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingproviders.

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Individual User Registration

Individual user registration is for anyone, other than an attorney, who wishes to file

electronically. An individual other than an attorney, who is registered with a firm, but wishes to

file electronically for other purposes, must register as an individual user. A registered user may

not file a submission in MDEC for any other person or entity. Violation of this policy will result

in a Deficiency Notice being issued and may result in an order suspending or revoking the filer's

registration.

1. Go to https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb. The File & Serve home page will appear.

2. Click the Register link.

3. Complete the User Information screen. Click Next to continue registration.

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4. Select the check box to register for a Self-Representative Account.

5. Complete the Firm Information screen. Click Next.

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6. Read the Terms and Conditions. Click I Agree - Create My Account to accept and agree to

the terms. You will receive a File & Serve New User Activation email.

7. Click on the Activate Account link in the email.

8. Your registration as an Individual User is now complete.

9. Return to https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb and sign in with your email address and

password.

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Registering the Firm

Before registration as a firm user, the firm must establish one or more firm administrators. For

continuity of operations, two firm administrators are recommended. The firm administrator

authorizes individual firm users’ registrations, establishes the firm payment account, and

ensures that only authorized persons are allowed to use the firm payment account. The firm

administrator may also be a firm user. Even a solo practitioner must register as a firm.

1. Go to https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb. The File & Serve home page will appear.

2. Click the Register link.

3. Complete the User Information screen. Click Next to continue registration.

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4. Select the check box to register for a Firm Account.

Note: If you are an attorney or paralegal and want to join a firm account, you must request an

email invitation from your Firm Administrator. After clicking the link in the body of the email,

you will be guided through registration. See page 13 for more details.

5. Please read and follow the information highlighted in red before proceeding. If your firm

does not have an account, complete the Firm Information section.

Note: If the firm administrator selects the check box Require administrator approval of new

user registration, then a second approval will be needed to complete the activation. Click Next

and the Register screen will appear.

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6. Read the Terms and Conditions. Click I Agree - Create My Account to accept and agree to

the terms. You will receive a File & Serve New User Activation email.

7. Click on the Activate Account link in this email.

8. Your registration as a Firm Administrator and the creation of your Firm Account are now

complete.

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Managing the Firm Account (Firm Administrator)

For an attorney to electronically file, both the firm administrator and the attorney must

complete all the following steps.

1. Return to https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb and sign in with your email address and

password.

2. Invite all firm users to join the firm account through email. From the Actions drop-down

select Firm Users.

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3. Click on the envelope icon to send the invitation link through email to firm users.

Firm Users are:

• Attorneys affiliated with the firm who, upon the attorney’s registration, will be

authorized to file submissions on behalf of the firm, use the firm’s credit card in

connection with such submissions, and use the firm’s name in his/her e-mail address;

and

• Paralegals or other assistants who, pursuant to Rule 20-108(a), are authorized to file

submissions on behalf of an affiliated attorney.

4. From the Actions drop-down select Payment Accounts and complete the information on

that screen.

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5. From the Actions drop-down select Firm Attorneys to add attorneys to your firm account.

6. Click Add New Attorney.

7. Enter the attorney number and click Verify and then Save Changes.

8. The attorney will now appear on the Firm Attorneys list.

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Firm Administrator’s Continuing Duties

As circumstances change, the firm administrator must promptly update the information

supplied. For example:

• Users leave or join the firm

• Adding/removing service contacts for the firm

• Changes in names or other identifying information

• A change in the firm administrator

• A change in payment information

• Other changes

1. To update information, return to the firm administrator’s screen.

2. If there is a change in user information, click on Firm Users and enter the information.

3. If there is a change in the firm information, click on Firm Information and enter the

information.

Firm User Registration

If you are an attorney or paralegal and want to join a firm account, contact your firm

administrator, and request an email invitation. When you receive the invitation:

1. Click on the Activate Account link in the email.

2. Complete the screen. Click Next to continue registration.

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3. Verify you wish to join the displayed firm account and click Next.

4. Read the Terms and Conditions. Click I Agree - Create My Account to accept and agree to

the terms. You will receive a File & Serve New User Activation email.

5. Click on the Activate Account link in the email.

6. Your registration as a Firm User is now complete.

7. Return to https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb and sign in with your email address and

password.

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Who Must E-file

1. Generally, Rule 20-106(a). The following persons must e-file all submissions in an MDEC

action that are required to be e-filed:

• Attorneys

• Judges

• Judicial appointees (commissioners, court magistrates, examiners, and auditors)

• Court clerks

• Other Judicial personnel, as defined in Rule 20-101

• Self-represented litigants (SRL) who choose to become registered users

• Any other person who is a registered user and who is required or permitted to file

submissions in an affected action, including:

o Persons seeking to intervene in the action

o Victims

o Representatives of government entities

2. Exceptions Rule 20-106(b). There are only three circumstances in which a person required

to e-file may be excused from doing so:

1) An MDEC System Outage that prevents MDEC from receiving e-filed submissions. See

Rule 20-501.

2) An unexpected event that prevents the filer from using the equipment necessary to file

electronically, such as a power outage or temporary computer malfunction. In this case,

you must submit an affidavit with your filing describing the event and stating when, to

your knowledge, information, and belief, the ability to file electronically will be restored.

3) Other good cause, with prior approval of the administrative judge.

What Must Be E-filed

1. Generally: Everything - Rule 20-106(c)(1):

A person required to e-file submissions must e-file all submissions that are capable of being

converted into electronic format and that, in electronic format, may be converted into a legible

paper document.

Note regarding multiple citations: If you are filing a submission into related citations, you must

file it into each citation in which you intend to represent your client. The Judiciary is aware of

the significant inconvenience caused by this software limitation, and we are attempting to

address this problem.

You may submit a pleading, motion, entry of appearance, or other filing that contains all the

related citation numbers, as long as you file the submission into each citation.

2. Exceptions - Rule 20-106(c)(2):

The following submissions may not be e-filed without leave of court:

• A single document comprising more than 300 pages (unless submitted separately in

shorter segments);

• Oversized documents, such as blueprints, maps, and plats;

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• Items that cannot practicably be filed electronically because of their physical nature;

and

• Other categories of submissions exempted by the State Court Administrator.

3. Notes:

1. Failure to Pay Rent actions in District Court must be initiated by using the following site:

https://efilemd.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/batch. Subsequent filings should be filed using

the File & Serve site discussed in this manual.

2. Circuit Court Case Information Report: must be filed for both original and reopened

cases. A case information report must be submitted as a separate document with its own

filing code.

3. Discovery Material and Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 10-104 Submissions: Items

that are prohibited by rule or statute from being filed in the case file in paper may not be

filed into the case file in MDEC. See the Discovery Material section of this manual.

4. Suggestion of Bankruptcy: An attorney must file electronically, even if the attorney is not

an interested party in the case. The system requires a valid credit card but no fee will be

assessed. See the File into Existing Cases section of this manual.

5. Audit Reports: An audit report should be sent directly to the auditor. Do not file an audit

report through File & Serve.

Attorney Appearance

1. An attorney who enters an appearance in a case must enter the appearance

electronically - Rule 20-106(a)(1).

2. An attorney should enter an appearance in a case on behalf of a party only if, at the

time the appearance is entered, the attorney represents that party in the matter. If the

attorney’s representation of the party is limited in any fashion, the entry of appearance

must comply with the requirements of the Maryland Rules regarding limited

appearances.

3. It is not permissible for an attorney to enter an appearance solely to view or copy

documents remotely. Such an entry of appearance may be considered an ethical

violation.

4. You may submit an entry of appearance that contains all the related citation numbers,

provided you file it into each citation.

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Electronic Filing-General Requirements and Procedure

General Requirements

1. To e-file a submission, the filer must:

• Be a registered user Rule 20-104

• Be authorized by law to file the submission Rule 20-201(b)

• Comply with the requirements of Rule 20-201

• Comply with the requirements of this manual

• File all electronic submissions in PDF format

2. Definitions:

• Envelope: An electronic folder in which submissions are filed. An envelope should

contain all submissions related to one case that are filed at one time. For example, a

new case envelope might contain the following five submissions in one envelope 1) a

complaint, 2) exhibits to the complaint, 3) a request for service, 4) a motion for

summary judgment, 5) an exhibit to the motion for summary judgment. Do not use

separate envelopes for submissions being filed at the same time in the same case

unless the maximum envelope size has been reached.

• Submission: A single document contained in a single PDF file within an envelope. This

does not include an item/document offered or admitted into evidence in open court.

Rules 20-101(w) and 20-106(e).

• Lead Document: The filing field in which every submission is to be uploaded/filed.

• Optional Services and Fees: Services and fees that are not required with every filing but

may be required for certain filings. These include Appearance Fees, Sheriff or Constable

Service, etc.

• Service Contact: The email address of each person to be served electronically. See the

Service Contact section.

• Actions: Action buttons allow you to perform a task with the item next to the button.

3. Every submission must comply with the Rules set forth in Title 20, and with all published

policies and procedures established by the State Court Administrator.

4. For the consequences of non-compliance, see the Review by Clerk - Correction, Deficiencies

and Striking - Rule 20-203 section of this manual.

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E-Filing Process

New Case Initiation

Initiate a new case from the Actions drop-down list or the Filer Dashboard.

1. Click on Start a New Case. Note: Starting a new case creates a new envelope.

2. At the Start a New Case screen, select the Location, Category and Case Type. A red box

indicates a required field. All drop-down menus are searchable by keyword. Click Save

Changes.

3. At the Party Information screen, enter the details for the highlighted party type(s), then

click Save Changes.

• If the party is a business or agency select Party is a Business/Agency.

• Enter the party’s name, address, phone number.

• If applicable, elect lead attorney from the drop-down list.

• Save Changes and complete the party information for the other party.

• Click Add Another Party to add additional parties.

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4. At the Filings screen, enter the filing details, then click Save Changes.

• Efile will be the only Filing Type enabled.

• Select the Filing Code from the drop-down menu that best describes the submission.

See Filing Codes.

• Enter a Filing Description. This will become the caption of your document.

• Optional Fields:

o You may enter the number or name of the Client Reference Number. This is

for the filer’s internal recordkeeping only.

o Enter any information that you want to convey to the clerk in the Comments

to Court. The Judge will not read these comments.

o Enter a recipient’s email address in Courtesy Copies if you want to send a

courtesy copy to someone after the filing has been accepted. This is not

electronic service. See Electronic Service.

• Click on the Lead Document button to upload the document for your chosen Filing

Code. See Uploading PDF’s below. Multiple submissions filed in the same case at the

same time must be contained in the same envelope using separate filing codes.

• See the Optional Services and Fees section if needed.

5. If you have multiple submissions to file in one envelope, click Save Changes and scroll up to

the Filings section. Now click Add Another Filing. Repeat the previous steps for Filing the

Documents.

6. If there are no more submissions to add, go to Service Contacts.

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7. At the Service Contacts screen, from the Actions drop-down, select Add From Firm Service

Contacts to receive electronic documents for the party you represent. See Service Contact.

Do not add Service Contacts for opposing parties or opposing attorneys.

8. Check the box next to your service contact. If you don’t see your desired service contact,

continue to efile and see below.

9. Click Close to exit this screen.