New York Filing and E-Filing

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NYSCEF is New York's e-filing system. If you do not have a lawyer you are never required to e-file, but you can choose to use NYSCEF for divorce cases in counties where it is offered, and Family Court e-filing is available only in some counties and case types.

Whether you can e-file depends on your county and case type, so check with your county clerk or the court help center first.

In New York, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it.

Official New York filing resources

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NYSCEF (NY State Unified Court System): NYSCEF is New York's e-filing system. If you do not have a lawyer you are never required to e-file, but you can choose to use NYSCEF for divorce cases in counties where it is offered, and Family Court e-filing is available only in some counties and case types. https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/HomePage

New York official filing information (New York judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in New York and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.nycourts.gov/divorce/matrimonial-e-filing-through-nyscef

Find a NY court (by county and court type) (New York judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.nycourts.gov/find-court

New York family law forms (official index) (New York judicial branch): The official statewide collection of New York family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.nycourts.gov/forms/familycourt

New York court self-help resources (New York courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own New York family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp

New York rules of procedure (New York judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in New York. https://www.nycourts.gov/rules

Official link data for New York was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file my own family papers online in New York?

In New York, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it. Whether you can e-file depends on your county and case type, so check with your county clerk or the court help center first.

How much does it cost to file a family case in New York?

Divorce filing fee: ~$210-$335. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Which court hears family cases in New York?

Family cases in New York are heard in the Supreme Court. In New York, a DIVORCE is filed in the 'Supreme Court' - which is the TRIAL court, not the highest court. Both the Supreme Court and Family Court sit in each county.