Guide & File: Interactive Online Forms
Oregon circuit courts provide online forms (sometimes called iForms) for self-represented court users to electronically complete forms and file or respond to cases. Guide & File is an online program that works on any computer or mobile device.
Using Guide & File is FREE. The only cost is the required filing fee when you turn in the form to the court. Note: Restraining orders never require a fee.
Learn more about filing fees.
Guide & File is only available for these types of cases:
- Protection orders (restraining orders, elder abuse, sexual abuse, stalking)
- Divorce, separation, or custody cases
- Changing a family judgment (modification)
- Developing a parenting plan
- Application for a court-appointed lawyer (criminal cases only)
- Residential evictions
- Small claims complaints
- Name or legal sex change
- Motion to seal your eviction, marijuana, or criminal record (expungement)
- Satisfaction of a money award (when you have received payment on a court judgment in your favor)
- Firearms surrender declaration (responding to a court order to give up your firearms)
If your case is about something else, please go to our
Forms Center to find the right forms.
How does Guide & File work?
Fill out the online questionnaire (the program calls it an "interview"). Guide & File uses your answers to fill out the correct court form.
Next, you can choose one of three ways to turn it in:
- print the completed form and deliver it in person to the court;
- print the completed form and mail it to the court; or
- turn in the completed form online through the Guide & File program.
How long does it take to use Guide & File?
This depends on the type of case. A small claims case may take less than 30 minutes, but a divorce case may take more than an hour.
Guide & File lets you create an account so that you can save your work, leave, and come back later to finish.
To use Guide & File, you will need:
All case-related information: Names, addresses, dates, and other relevant information. For cases related to family issues, you will need birth dates for everyone involved, and Social Security numbers, if you have them. All documents need to be in PDF format. The program will ask you to upload documents, if appropriate.
A credit or debit card: If you file your form electronically, and it requires a filing fee, you will need a card for payment.
- If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask the court to let you turn in the form for free (a waiver) or pay later (a deferral).
- Restraining orders never require a fee.
The ability to download the completed form for your records.
Access to a printer: You may need to print the form and deliver it to the court in person or by mail.
Time to watch a six-minute video: After you click “Start Using Guide & File Now,” look for the video called “Using the Site.” It will help you learn how to use Guide & File.
Information About Other Languages
- Most iForms are only available in English, but we are adding Spanish interviews.
- Go to the interview you need and look for the language drop-down box at the top of the page. If the interview has been translated, switch the language selection to access the Spanish language version.
- NOTE: Your answers must be provided in English or the court may reject your filing. Check the completed forms to make sure all your answers are in English.