Courts / Illinois trial courts

Illinois trial courts e-filing PDF requirements

Check your PDF against this court's e-filing rules before you file. Rules checked October 2026 from the sources below.

Runs on your device. Files are never uploaded.
PDF to check
Loadingexample report

Smith_Declaration_with_Exhibits.pdf

Loading the checker…

Requirements at a glance

File size25 MB per document and 50 MB per envelope in trial courts.
Text-searchableRequired
Ill. Electronic Document Standards: text-searchable PDF where possible
PDF/ANot required
Page size8½ × 11 in (US Letter)
Ill. Electronic Document Standards (8½ × 11 in)
Documents per PDFOne document per PDF
Multiple documents combined into one PDF aren't accepted
Not allowedPasswords or security settings, Audio, video or 3D content

Also worth knowing

Questions

What is the maximum PDF file size for Illinois trial courts?
25 MB per document and 50 MB per envelope in trial courts.
Do PDFs have to be text-searchable?
Yes. Source: Ill. Electronic Document Standards: text-searchable PDF where possible. Scanned pages need OCR before filing; see how to make a PDF text-searchable.
Is PDF/A required?
No. The court's published rules don't require PDF/A.
Can I file a password-protected PDF?
No. Source: Ill. Electronic Document Standards: no security settings or encryption. See how to remove PDF security.
Can I combine several documents into one PDF?
No. Source: Multiple documents combined into one PDF aren't accepted.

Sources

Fix common problems

Make a PDF text-searchableRun OCR on scanned pages so the court accepts them.Save a PDF as PDF/AThe archival format New York requires and Florida recommends.Flatten a PDF for filingRemove form fields, comments, layers, scripts and attachments.Shrink a PDF under the size limitCompress scans or split the file to fit the court's cap.Remove PDF passwords and securityCourts reject locked or restricted PDFs.Resize pages to 8½ × 11Fix A4, legal-size and odd pages.