(a) Applicable Rules for Ineligible Parties. Those who are ineligible to file documents through the electronic filing system shall comply with all provisions of Rules 81 to 84 except, to the extent for the requirements in this Rule 81.21 replace them for formatting and filing the documents.
Rule 81.21.Parties Ineligible to File Documents Through The Electronic Filing System.
Part I · Rule 81: Appeals · Last amended January 1, 2024 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 81.21 sets the paper-filing rules for parties who can't use the electronic filing system, covering paper size and binding, page limits for a paper legal file, filing a paper transcript with its required electronic copy, and page limits for typewritten briefs.
Full Text of Rule 81.21
(b) Format and Filing of Paper Documents — Generally. Documents filed on paper shall conform to the following provisions:
(1) Documents shall be printed on one side of paper, size 8 ½ X 11 inches, weighing between 18 and 24 pounds to the ream;
(2) Documents shall be secured by affixing a temporary binding such as a rubber band or a binder clip but not with adhesive tape, staples, spiral binding, or edge sealing products; and
(3) Except as provided by local court rule, only the original document shall be filed in the clerk’s office.
(c) Legal File Volume Page Limit. A paper legal file volume shall not exceed 200 pages.
(d) Filing of Paper Transcript. A party who files a paper transcript shall also file the electronic medium provided by the court reporter. The reporter or transcriber shall certify that the electronic copy has been scanned for viruses and that it is virus-free. The appellate court, on motion, may make such order respecting delivery of paper copies of the transcript as may be just and equitable.
(e) Typewritten Documents. Any person unable to produce documents as provided by Rule 84.03 may file typewritten documents.
(1) A typewritten document shall:
(A) Use fixed space type not less than a ten pitch and ten characters to the inch; and
(B) Be double-spaced, except that the cover, certificate of service, and signature block may be single-spaced.
(2) If the typewritten document is a brief, it shall not exceed the following page limitations:
(A) Appellant's brief and all briefs in a cross appeal except the reply brief, 100 pages;
(B) Respondent's brief, 90 pages; and
(C) Reply brief, 25 pages.
Amendment History
Adopted May 19, 2016, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Amended Mar. 7, 2022, eff. Jan 1, 2024.
Plain-English Summary
Parties who are ineligible to file documents through the electronic filing system still have to comply with everything in Rules 81 through 84; Rule 81.21 only replaces the formatting and filing mechanics for those parties. Paper documents have to be printed on one side of 8½-by-11-inch paper weighing between 18 and 24 pounds to the ream, secured with a temporary binding such as a rubber band or binder clip, not tape, staples, spiral binding, or edge sealing, and, except where local rule says otherwise, only the original needs to be filed in the clerk's office.
A paper legal file volume cannot exceed 200 pages. A party filing a paper transcript also has to file the electronic medium the reporter provides, with a certification that it has been scanned for viruses and is virus-free, and the appellate court can order how paper transcript copies are delivered in a way that is just and equitable.
Anyone unable to produce documents in the standard format allowed under Rule 84.03 can file typewritten documents instead, using fixed-space type no smaller than ten pitch and ten characters to the inch, double-spaced except for the cover, certificate of service, and signature block. A typewritten brief is capped at specific page limits: 100 pages for the appellant's brief and any brief in a cross-appeal other than a reply brief, 90 pages for the respondent's brief, and 25 pages for a reply brief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't file electronically in a Missouri appeal?
You still must follow all of Rules 81 through 84, but you file on paper and follow Rule 81.21's formatting rules instead of the electronic-filing requirements.
What paper specifications does a paper filing need?
One-sided printing on 8½-by-11-inch paper weighing 18 to 24 pounds to the ream, bound with a temporary fastener, not tape, staples, spiral binding, or edge sealing.
Is there a page limit on a paper legal file?
Yes. A paper legal file volume cannot exceed 200 pages.
Do I need to include an electronic copy of a paper transcript?
Yes. A party filing a paper transcript must also file the electronic medium provided by the court reporter, certified virus-free.
How long can a typewritten brief be?
100 pages for the appellant's brief and most cross-appeal briefs, 90 pages for the respondent's brief, and 25 pages for a reply brief.
Do ineligible filers still have to follow the regular appeal rules?
Yes. Rule 81.21 only replaces the formatting and filing mechanics; every other requirement in Rules 81 through 84 still applies.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: paper filing appeal missouriineligible to e-filepaper transcript requirementstypewritten brief page limit