Rule 108 - Preparing a Document for Filing with the Courta.Caption. A "caption" is a heading at the beginning of a document. The first page of every document that is filed with the court, including a pleading as defined in Rule 107(a), must include a caption that contains the name and address of the court where the document is being filed; the names of the parties; the mailing address of the party who is filing the document, and the party's e-mail address if the party has one; and the name of the document. Every document filed with the court after the complaint must also include the case number assigned by the court. See Rule 112(a) concerning the case number. The court may refuse to accept a document that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph. [ARCP 10(a)] b.Format. A party must file a document with the court on paper, except that a party may file a document electronically as provided in Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) § 1-901. These rules apply to both electronic and paper filings. Electronic filings must be in a format allowed by the court and as provided by ACJA § 1-901. Paper filings must be on only one side of white 8.5 x 11 inch paper, with one-inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides of the page. Documents filed on paper must be typed, printed, or legibly handwritten. Documents filed on forms provided by the court do not need to meet these requirements. The court may issue documents such as notices or orders in either paper or electronic formats. [ARCP 10(d)] c.Attachments to documents ("exhibits"). Exhibits may be attached to a document that is filed with the court. An exhibit is considered a part of the document to which it is physically or electronically attached, and an exhibit does not require a separate caption. [ARCP 10(c)] d.Sensitive data. A party is responsible for assuring that a document or exhibit that is filed with the court does not include a person's social security number or a financial account number, or if a number is necessary, that it includes only the last four digits of the number; and the court may impose penalties on a party for a violation and to ensure future compliance with this requirement. [ARCP 5(f)] e.Filing documents. Unless filing electronically, the original of every document must be filed with the court, but attachments to documents that are filed with the court may be copies. Except for electronically filed documents, documents are filed with the court when they are delivered to and accepted by the court. If a document is filed electronically, the effective date of filing is as provided in the ACJA § 1-901. [ARCP 5(h), 10(d)] f.Electronically filed documents. ACJA § 1-901 governs the form of electronically filed documents, including the format, file type and size, format of exhibits and attachments, use of hyperlinks and bookmarks, and originals. g.Electronic signatures and electronic notarizations. The clerk must accept for filing any document that purports to have a signature, including documents that appear to be electronically signed or electronically notarized in accordance with applicable law. If the authenticity or sufficiency of an electronic signature or electronic notarization is disputed, a judicial officer will make a determination under applicable substantive law. Just. Ct. R. Civ. proc. 108
Adopted Aug. 30, 2012, effective 1/1/2013; amended August 22, 2024, effective 8/22/2024.