---
title: "E-Filing Overview"
description: "Explore the Texas filing process and step-by-step guides for preparing, submitting, and managing filings in Referlex."
slug: "efile-guide"
category: "E-Filing"
product: "efile"
audience: "filers"
status: "published"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-28"
owner: "Referlex support"
nav_title: "Overview"
order: 60
---
# E-Filing Overview

Referlex brings Texas electronic filing into one workspace: prepare a filing, attach documents, choose recipients and payment, submit to eFileTexas, and follow the court's response. This guide explains the website screens and the Texas systems behind them.

If the page displays **Texas Stage — Test Filings Only**, you are in the testing environment. Stage submissions do not file documents in a real court. Use the environment banner to distinguish testing from live filing before entering information or submitting anything.

Choose a topic below or use the nested E-Filing sections in the sidebar. For a first filing, begin with **Getting Started**, then follow **Starting a Filing** in order.

## Getting Started

- [How Texas E-Filing Works](/docs/efile-how-it-works) — Understand the filer, EFM, clerk, and court systems, from draft preparation through acceptance and service.
- [Before Your First Filing](/docs/efile-before-you-start) — Gather your documents and account details, and learn where to find each part of the filing workspace.
- [Connect Your eFileTexas Account](/docs/efile-connect-account) — Link an existing account, register and activate a new one, or recover access.

## Starting a Filing

- [Choose a Court and Case](/docs/efile-court-and-case) — Start a new case or find an existing one, then choose filing codes and additional court services.
- [Prepare and Attach Documents](/docs/efile-documents) — Prepare PDFs, choose document slots and classifications, and understand file limits and saved drafts.
- [Parties and Representation](/docs/efile-parties) — Add the appropriate case parties and confirm the filing attorney or individual representation.
- [Electronic Service and Copies](/docs/efile-service) — Select service contacts and distinguish electronic service from preliminary and courtesy copies.
- [Fees and Payment Accounts](/docs/efile-fees-and-payment) — Choose or register a payment account and understand fee quotes, charges, and their limitations.
- [Review and Submit](/docs/efile-review-and-submit) — Check the complete package, confirm your review, and send the filing or service request.

## Manage Your Filings

- [Find Filings and Understand Statuses](/docs/efile-filings-and-statuses) — Locate drafts and envelopes, check eFileTexas records, and interpret pending and final outcomes.
- [Documents, Receipts, and Service Records](/docs/efile-records) — Download available documents and inspect fee estimates, identifiers, and service delivery evidence.
- [Correct, Refile, or Cancel](/docs/efile-corrections) — Respond to rejected filings, request cancellation when available, and resume or discard drafts.
- [Notifications](/docs/efile-notifications) — Review eFileTexas service and account notices and manage notification preferences.

## Filer Settings

- [Individual Account Settings](/docs/efile-individual-settings) — Manage your personal eFileTexas profile, private service contact, password, and notification choices.
- [Firm Administration](/docs/efile-firm-administration) — Manage firm details, attorneys, filer permissions, payment accounts, and service-contact associations.

## Help and Testing

- [Troubleshooting and Support](/docs/efile-troubleshooting) — Resolve connection, document, payment, and delivery problems and gather the right information for support.
- [Testing in Stage](/docs/efile-stage-testing) — Understand test accounts, court availability, recipient delivery, and the boundary between Stage and live filing.