Sometimes a filer needs to reopen an older case, but they may not be able to find that case in our system. Old cases probably haven't been added to the efiling system at the time the user attempts to file.
Users must first contact the clerks at the court the case was originally filed at and ask them to upload the case into the system so the user can file into it like any other existing case.
If the clerks are not able to upload the original case documents, they may advise the user to file the case like a new case, but to note the original Case Number somewhere in the draft's Filings page (like in the Comments to Court input field) so they can link the new filing to the old case.
Some users may be reluctant to do so because they would like to avoid paying case initiation fees for an already existing case. Filers may be able to obtain a fee waiver from the court clerks that will eliminate those fees altogether. If the clerks grant that waiver, the filer may then add it to their efiling account and use it to waive any case initiation fees that they may incur during this process.
Either way, the filer must contact the court clerks first to obtain their assistance in proceeding with reopening the case.