Having Trouble E-Filing Large Documents? Here’s How to Shrink Them

December 2, 2024 • Support Team

E-filing court documents is incredibly convenient, but it comes with a catch: file size limits. If your PDFs are too big, the court system won’t accept them. Don’t worry, though! This guide will show you simple ways to compress your files and avoid frustrating delays.

Why Do Courts Have File Size Limits?

Courts receive a huge volume of digital information. To manage this, they often impose file size limits for e-filed documents. These limits ensure efficient storage and processing of files. While limits vary by court, you might encounter restrictions such as 25MB for individual PDFs or 35MB for your entire e-filing submission. It’s crucial to check your court’s specific rules before submitting anything, as exceeding these limits will prevent your filing from being submitted to the court for review. You can usually find these rules on the court’s website.

Easy Ways to Compress Your PDFs

  1. Adobe Acrobat Pro: If you have Acrobat, you’re in luck! It has built-in tools to optimize PDFs, shrinking them significantly without sacrificing much quality.

  2. Scanner Settings: When scanning documents, use a lower resolution (like 300 dpi instead of 600 dpi) and grayscale instead of color if possible. This creates smaller PDFs from the start.

  3. Free Online Tools: No Acrobat? No problem! Many websites offer free PDF compression. Just upload your file, let the website do its magic, and download the smaller version.

Need more help with compressing your PDFs? This guide from Green Filing provides step-by-step instructions and advanced tips: VIEW GUIDE

Extra Tips for Success

  • Start with Clear Scans: Blurry scans actually create larger files, so make sure your originals are sharp.

  • Divide and Conquer: If you have a huge document, split it into multiple smaller PDFs.

  • Always Double-Check: After compressing, check the file size to make absolutely sure it meets the court’s requirements.

Following the Rules is Crucial

Court rules are there for a reason. Ignoring file size limits can lead to delays in your submission. Save yourself time and stress by compressing your PDFs before you e-file!