Sworn documents
Sworn or affirmed documents are a special category of documents where additional rules apply for electronic filing.
To electronically file an affirmed or sworn document, it must be sent to the registry as a Portable Document Format (PDF).
The original hardcopy or paper version of the affirmed or sworn document must be retained for 7 years from the date it was filed. The party or solicitor filing the document must produce the paper form of the document if required by the court during that timeframe.
Exempt sworn documents
There are some sworn or affirmed documents that can be filed electronically. These are known as exempt sworn documents.
The Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court is responsible for determining which sworn or approved document are exempt sworn documents (Electronic Filing Approval 2 of 2018 (PDF, 39.7 KB)) and can be filed electronically via an approved service provider (such as CITEC).
The following documents can be filed electronically:
- affidavit of service of the claim on the defendant
- affidavit of debt
- affidavit in support of Enforcement Hearing application
- statement in support of an Enforcement Warrant application.
In practice, the rules relating to exempt sworn documents apply to eLodgment.
Electronic filing via QCase in the Magistrates Court
All approved forms for use in Magistrates Court civil matters may be filed through the online QCase portal which is managed by Queensland Courts.
The electronic file format of documents must be in one of the formats found in the Principal Registrar (Magistrates Courts) – Approval 1 of 2024 (PDF, 189.0 KB).
Some forms may be completed online directly within the portal (guided forms) and others must be completed separately and uploaded. The details of how to lodge the forms and which ones may be lodged by these methods are available on the portal.
Electronic filing via a service provider in the Magistrates Court
Below is a list of UCPR forms that the Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court has approved to be electronically filed in the Magistrates Court via the approved service provider CITEC Confirm. Refer to the approvals detailed in the list below for this and other conditions which may apply to the approval.
You may find information about Electronic lodgement (eLodgement) helpful.
Approvals of the Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court
The following approvals are relevant to electronic filing:
- Approval 1 of 2018 (PDF, 29.6 KB) – Documents that may be electronically filed – rule 967(3)
- Approval 2 of 2018 (PDF, 39.7 KB) – Exempt sworn or affirmed documents – rule 975D(3)
- Approval 3 of 2018 (PDF, 22.8 KB) – Electronic file format – rule 975C(1)(b)
- Approval 4 of 2018 (PDF, 29.2 KB) – Approval of an entity as a service provider – rule 959B
- Approval 1 of 2020 (PDF, 179.9 KB) – Documents that may be electronically filed – rule 967(3), 975E
- Approval 2 of 2020 (PDF, 154.8 KB) – Electronic file format – rules 975C(1)(b), 975E
- Approval 1 of 2022 (PDF, 128.8 KB) – Documents that may be electronically filed – rules 9A and 9B
- Approval 1 of 2024 (PDF, 189.0 KB) – Electronic filing of documents via the QCASE Portal for Civil Proceedings– rule 967(3), 975C, and 975E
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