How to File a Writ of Execution Through Idaho iCourt Guide & File

You won your Idaho small claims case, but the court isn't going to collect the money for you. The next step is filing a Writ of Execution — and if you're in one of Idaho's e-filing counties, you can do most of it through the iCourt Guide & File portal without driving to the courthouse.

Here's exactly how the electronic filing process works, what it covers, and where the paper trail still matters.

What iCourt Guide & File Actually Does

The Idaho Supreme Court's iCourt system is the statewide electronic case management platform. Guide & File is the self-help portal built on top of it — it walks pro se filers through court documents using a question-and-answer format, then generates the completed forms for electronic submission.

For post-judgment enforcement, Guide & File can produce the Application and Affidavit for Writ of Execution (Form CAO SC 9-1) and the Application and Affidavit for Writ of Continuing Garnishment (Form CAO SC 9-2). You answer the prompts — case number, judgment amount, debtor information, type of enforcement — and the system assembles the filing.

Ada County and Canyon County require business entities and frequent litigants to e-file all writ applications through iCourt. Individual filers in these counties can also use the system. E-filing availability and requirements elsewhere vary by county, so confirm with the local clerk or the portal.

Step-by-Step: Filing Your Writ Electronically

Create or log into your iCourt account. You'll need the case number from your small claims judgment and the exact legal names of all parties.

Select the enforcement filing type. Guide & File will ask what you're trying to do. Choose the writ that matches your enforcement strategy — Writ of Execution for bank accounts or personal property, or Writ of Continuing Garnishment for wages.

Enter your judgment details. The system needs the original judgment amount, the date of entry, any payments already received, and the accrued post-judgment interest. Idaho's statutory interest rate for FY 2027 (July 2026 through June 2027) is 8.875% per annum under Idaho Code § 28-22-104(2). Calculate the interest owed through the filing date so your writ reflects the correct balance.

Pay the filing fee. The court charges $2.00 per writ application under I.C. § 31-3201A. Follow the payment instructions provided by the portal or court clerk.

Submit and wait for the clerk's issuance. The court clerk reviews your submission and, if everything checks out, issues the writ. You'll receive the issued writ electronically through your iCourt account.

Where Electronic Filing Ends and Paper Begins

This is the part that catches most people off guard: filing the writ with the court is only half the process. The court clerk issues the writ, but the County Sheriff executes it. And the sheriff still needs a physical packet.

After you receive the issued writ through iCourt, you'll need to:

1. Print the writ. The sheriff requires a physical original.
2. Write formal instructions. A one-page document directing the sheriff to the specific bank, employer, or property. Each county sheriff's Civil Division has its own Written Directions Form — the court's CAO forms don't include it.
3. Deliver the packet with fees. Sheriff service fees vary by method: $55 for first-class mail service, $82 for certified mail, or $180 for personal deputy service (Ada County 2026 schedule). Bring the writ, instructions, and payment to the sheriff's Civil Division in the county where the debtor's assets are located.

The electronic system handles the court side. The physical handoff to the sheriff is still manual — even in Ada and Canyon Counties where everything else is digital.

Rural Counties: When iCourt Isn't the Default

Not every Idaho county has fully adopted electronic filing for pro se small claims filers. In rural jurisdictions like Owyhee, Gem, or Adams County, counter filing and mail-in processing remain common. Sheriff departments may require exact payment by cash or cashier's check for execution fees; ask the court clerk how to pay the separate $2.00 writ application fee.

If you're unsure whether your county supports e-filing for enforcement writs, call the court clerk's office and ask directly. The iCourt system itself will tell you during the filing process whether electronic submission is accepted for your case type and county.

Tips for a Clean Electronic Filing

Double-check party names. iCourt pulls from the existing case record, but confirm that the debtor's name matches exactly. A mismatch between the writ and the judgment can cause the sheriff to reject the packet.

Don't file too early after a contested trial. Idaho imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period after a contested judgment before you can execute. Default judgments (where the other side didn't show up) allow immediate enforcement. Confirm that the waiting period has passed before submitting the application.

Track your filing. Check your iCourt account for the filing status and issued writ, and save the documents for your records.

The electronic filing gets your paperwork to the clerk faster, but collecting the judgment still requires coordinating with the sheriff's office in person or by mail. If you want a complete walkthrough of every enforcement tool — writs, garnishments, debtor exams, liens, and exemptions — the Idaho Small Claims Judgment Collection Guide covers the full process from the 30-day waiting period through final satisfaction.

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