N.D. Fla. Loc. R. 5.4

(A) When Required. Unless the Court orders otherwise, every document submitted for

filing must be submitted through the electronic filing system, not in hard copy or by

facsimile or other means, except that the following documents may—and if so

required by an administrative order or an order in a case must—be filed in hard

copy:

(1) An exhibit introduced at a trial or hearing;

(2) A document filed under seal;

(3) A document filed by a party pro se.

(B) As Effective as a Hard Copy. An order, sworn document, or other document that is

electronically filed in the proper case file has exactly the same effect as would a

substantively identical hard copy.

(C) Responsibility for Electronically Filed Signatures. An attorney who electronically

files a document with the attorney’s handwritten or electronic signature—or who

authorizes another person to electronically file such a document—is responsible for

the document just as if it had been filed in hard copy with the attorney’s handwritten

signature. And a party is responsible for a document electronically filed on the

party’s behalf with the party’s or an attorney’s handwritten or electronic signature,

just as if the document had been filed in hard copy with the party’s or attorney’s

handwritten signature.

(D) Sworn Documents. By electronically filing a copy of a document with an original

seal or certification or a sworn original signature, an attorney certifies that the

attorney has custody of the original. The attorney must make the original available

for inspection and copying by any other party or the Court and must file the original

if the Court so orders. If the original is not filed, the attorney must retain the original

for at least two years after the litigation—including all appeals—has ended.

(E) Effective Date of an Electronic Filing. A document is electronically filed when the

filing is accepted by the District’s electronic filing system. A filing is made on a date

if it is made prior to midnight on that date in local time at the place of holding court

in the division where the case is pending.

(F) Service on Other Parties. A document that is electronically filed and that is

electronically served on a party through the electronic filing system need not be

served on that party by any other means, unless the Court so orders. An attorney’s

participation in the electronic filing system constitutes consent to accept service

through the electronic filing system.

(G) Responsibility for a Filing and for the Accuracy of the Docket. The attorney who

authorizes the electronic filing of a document is responsible for it under this rule

regardless of whether the attorney actually makes the electronic filing or authorizes

another person to do so. And the attorney must ensure that the document is

accurately docketed.