(a) Page Size. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the page size of all documents filed
in all courts of this State shall be 8½ inches by 11 inches. The court encourages use of recycled paper if the filing is in paper form.
Rule 10.Size and Specifications of Documents Filed in the Illinois Courts
Article I. General Rules · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 10 sets the physical and electronic format requirements for documents filed in Illinois courts, including paper size, legibility, and e-filing technical standards.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 10
(b) Legibility. Documents filed shall be legibly written, typewritten, printed, or otherwise prepared.
(c) Electronic Specifications. Documents filed electronically must conform to the technical specifications contained in the eFileIL Electronic Document Standards (as published at http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov).
(d) Rejection. If a document is rejected by the clerk, the party may correct the deficiency identified by the clerk and resubmit the document for filing. If the filing party believes, in good faith, that the deficiency identified by the clerk cannot or should not be corrected, the filing party may seek appropriate relief from the court, upon good cause shown.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 10 keeps filings uniform in format. Paper documents must be 8½ by 11 inches and legible, whether handwritten, typed, or printed. Electronic filings must meet the technical specifications published in the eFileIL Electronic Document Standards.
If a clerk rejects a document for failing to meet these specifications, the filer can fix the problem and resubmit. If the filer believes in good faith that the flagged defect cannot or should not be corrected, the rule lets the filer ask the court for relief instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper size does Illinois require for court filings?
8½ by 11 inches, unless another rule specifically provides otherwise.
Can I file a handwritten document in an Illinois court?
Yes, as long as it is legibly written, along with being typewritten, printed, or otherwise prepared.
What happens if the clerk rejects my document for a formatting problem?
You can correct the deficiency and resubmit. If you believe in good faith the defect should not require correction, you can ask the court for relief instead.
Where do the technical standards for e-filed documents come from?
The eFileIL Electronic Document Standards, published on the Illinois courts' e-filing website, set the technical specifications for electronically filed documents.
Does Rule 10 apply to appellate filings too?
Yes. It applies to documents filed in all courts of the state, not just the trial court.
Committee Comments
Rule 10 was added in 1981.
Amendment History
Adopted January 5, 1981, effective January 1, 1982; amended June 25, 1990, effective July 1, 1990; amended Oct. 24, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013; amended June 22, 2017, eff. July 1, 2017.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: court filing paper size illinoisdocument formatting requirementsefileil document standardsrejected filing correctionlegibility requirement court filing