Federal court is limited. Check venue, limitations periods, required notices, exhaustion rules, and whether the issue belongs in state court, federal court, agency process, or appeal.

Use LSC, LawHelp, state legal-aid programs, law-school clinics, civil-rights nonprofits, and lawyer-referral services before assuming pro se filing is the best path.

U.S. Courts civil pro se forms are a starting point. The district court’s local rules, standing orders, privacy rules, fee schedule, and judge-specific procedures still matter.

PACER says non-attorneys must register and courts must approve filing privileges. Some courts use EDSS/upload portals, some allow pro se e-filing after permission, and some require mail or in-person filing.

Check the filing fee or in forma pauperis forms, summons/service requirements, exhibit formatting, redactions, signatures, and proof of submission. Keep copies and timestamps.

If a deadline, restraining order, custody, jail, eviction, foreclosure, or safety issue is urgent, call the clerk and seek counsel immediately. An upload queue may not be enough.