Rule 4 - Filing of Cases
Rule 4.8 - Electronic and Facsimile Transmission Filing of Adult Abuse & Child
Protection Orders
1. Facsimile or electronic transmission of petitions and other necessary pleadings filed pursuant to Chapter 455 RSMo are authorized in accordance with Supreme Court Rules and procedures established by the Court Administrator’s Office. These facsimile filings shall have the same effect as the filing of the original, verified documents. A document filed by facsimile or electronic transmission constitutes a paper for the purpose of applying these rules.
2. Facsimile or electronic transmission of orders of protection issued pursuant to Chapter 455 are authorized in accordance with Supreme Court Rules. Any order of protection issued by the Court via facsimile or electronic transmission shall have the same effect as the original order.
3. A facsimile or electronically generated signature shall have the same force and effect as an original signature for purposes of pleadings and orders in these matters. Use of a unique log-on identifier issued by the Court and a password to electronically file a pleading, affidavit or other document constitutes the filer’s signature for all purposes. Any pleading, affidavit or other document that requires a signature shall indicate that a signature has been authorized by the petitioner on the electronically filed document, e.g., “Jane Doe/s.”
4. Chapter 455 RSMo facsimile or electronically transmitted pleadings shall be deemed filed on the date and at the time the last page of the document is accepted at the office of the clerk. If a document is not received or if it is illegible, it is not deemed filed. Risk of loss in facsimile or electronic transmission, receipt or illegibility is upon the party transmitting and filing by facsimile or electronic transmission.
5. Any pleadings, orders or documents, sent via facsimile or electronic transmission, which are received after 4:30 p.m. will be deemed received and filed on the following business day, except pleadings, orders or documents received by the court or issued in accordance with emergency filing procedures.
Adopted 3/5/99
Effective 4/4/99