File Small Claims Online Massachusetts: eFileMA and Guide & File
Two Online Filing Options
Massachusetts offers electronic filing for small claims through two connected portals, both powered by Tyler Technologies:
eFileMA (efilema.com) — the full e-filing platform. You upload completed court documents as flattened PDFs, pay the fee with a credit card or eCheck, and submit them to the clerk's office electronically.
Guide & File — an interview-style tool that walks you through questions and generates the Statement of Small Claim based on your answers. It's designed for self-represented filers who'd rather answer prompts than fill in a blank form. The generated document still gets submitted through the eFileMA platform.
The Tyler Guide & File interview adds a $7 service fee on top of the court's base filing fee ($40–$150 depending on claim amount).
Who Can File Online
Online filing is available across participating District Court, Boston Municipal Court, and Housing Court divisions. Attorneys filing Housing Court small claims are required to use eFiling. Self-represented litigants can choose between online, in-person, or mail filing in any department.
You need a free eFileMA account. Registration takes a few minutes — name, email, and a password. You don't need to be a lawyer or pay any subscription fee to create an account.
The Filing Process Step by Step
Register and log in at efilema.com. Select a court division tied to a valid venue: where you or the defendant resides, is employed, or does business, or where the rental property is located for a landlord-tenant dispute.
Prepare your documents. The Statement of Small Claim is the main filing. If you're a commercial plaintiff or pursuing assigned debt, you also need Form MA-DC-SC-7 (Verification of Defendant's Address). If you need a fee waiver, include the Affidavit of Indigency.
Format requirements for uploads: all documents must be flattened PDF files. The total envelope size can't exceed 25MB. Redact sensitive identifiers — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and dates of birth should not appear in the filing.
Pay the fee. Accepted methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or eCheck/ACH. If you use Guide & File, the court filing fee plus its $7 service fee is charged at submission.
Submit and wait. Uploading creates a temporary submission timestamp, but your case isn't officially filed yet. The clerk-magistrate reviews the submission for completeness, proper venue, and fee payment. If everything checks out, you get a docket number, a hearing date, and a file-stamped copy through the portal. If the clerk finds a defect, you get a rejection notice explaining what to fix.
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Common Rejection Reasons
- Wrong court division selected (venue doesn't match the plaintiff's or defendant's residence, employment, or business, or the rental property's location for a landlord-tenant dispute)
- Missing the Verification of Defendant's Address form for a business-related claim
- Documents not in flattened PDF format
- Filing fee not paid or payment method declined
- Defendant's name doesn't match a recognizable legal entity
A rejection doesn't bar you from filing — you correct the issue and resubmit. The timestamp resets to the new submission date.
When to File In Person Instead
Online filing works well for straightforward claims where you know the defendant's exact legal name and address. In-person filing at the courthouse clerk's office makes more sense when:
- You need help identifying the right court division
- You want to ask the clerk procedural questions while filing
- You're combining the filing with other courthouse business (like requesting an interpreter for the hearing)
The Court Service Centers at major courthouses assist self-represented filers with form selection and the online portal. Staff cannot give legal advice about the merits of your claim, but they can help you navigate the administrative process.
Email filing is not accepted — Massachusetts courts do not process small claims submitted by email.
Our Massachusetts Small Claims Filing Guide includes a step-by-step walkthrough of both the eFileMA portal and in-person filing, with document formatting checklists.
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