Alberta lawyer/assistant with FDS access

The King’s Bench Filing Digital Service (FDS) is an online platform that allows lawyers and law firms to file many types of court documents electronically for stamping and entry into the court record. There are three dedicated FDS portals: one for Civil matters, one for Family & Divorce matters, and one for Surrogate (Probate) matters:

• Civil FDS: King’s Bench Filing Digital Service – Civil – for general civil claims and applications.

• Family & Divorce FDS: King’s Bench Family and Divorce Filing Digital Service – for divorce and other family law filings.

• Surrogate FDS (SDS): Surrogate Digital Service – for surrogate court (probate and estate) grant applications.

• Court Case Management Digital Service – This digital service enables lawyers and their assistants to manage commercial, civil special hearings and some SafeRoads matters digitally. Materials for commercial matters are filed using Civil FDS. You can read more information here.

Eligible Users: FDS is currently available only to active Alberta lawyers and their assistants (with a Law Society of Alberta number). Law firms must create an FDS account for each lawyer or assistant before filing; instructions and user guides for account creation and portal use are provided on the FDS websites.

Documents Eligible for FDS:

Civil – Accepted Document List

Family/Divorce – Accepted Document List

Surrogate – Accepted Document List

Email Filing

Email filing is an alternative digital filing method in use for those who are not eligible to use FDS or for types of documents not yet accepted in FDS.

Who can file by email: Email filing is generally used by out of province law firms, lawyers, court runners as well as self-represented litigants.

Lawyers and court runners who do not have a charge account agreement and wish to open a charge account for email filing may direct their inquiries at: QBAdminAssistant.Calgary@just.gov.ab.ca

Table of Contents:

Civil 

Criminal

Family/Divorce

Surrogate

Urgent

CIVIL

For a list of accepted documents on Civil FDS (Filing Digital Service) please visit: Accepted Document List

Civil forms may be found here: https://albertacourts.ca/kb/areas-of-law/civil/forms

If you are filing by email, please note the following items when sending your documents: 

1. Naming conventions for emails and documents must be followed as outlined below. For clarity, with regard to the naming convention, please ensure that no space precedes or follow dashes.

2. Your email must include the updated filing request form, and it can be found here.  (Items submitted on a Legal Aid Certificate do not need to include the filing request form).

3. Submitting duplicate filing requests will result in duplicate filing fees.

4. If your email is a follow up, please indicate FOLLOW UP at the beginning of the subject line. If your email is for a supervisor to FOLLOW UP on, please indicate ATTN SUPERVISOR at the beginning of the subject line and ensure to forward your original submission.

5. Once you file a document, through email or at a courthouse, you cannot change it. You may need to take legal steps to make any changes or corrections. Retracting your email will not work.

6. If you would like to add any identifying indicators for your file number, please include them at the end, enclosed in square brackets [  ].

7. If your document is rejected, please resubmit your filing with all documentation again, this includes your email request form. Your resubmitted document(s) will be filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.

8. Documents filed via email will be considered filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.  For more information on email filing and information related to urgent and limitation period submissions, click here.  

9. Please ensure affidavits are properly commissioned and sworn prior to submitting for filing.

Document Formats:

Please ensure that all documents are attached to the email separately. For example, if you are sending an application and affidavit, your application, and affidavit must all be sent in separate attachments. If your documents are sent as one large scan, your document will be rejected and you will be required to send a new email, with separated documents. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Additionally, the Court has posted Guidelines for Documents filed by email or digital upload.

Email Filing Invoice:

Please ensure you are using the correct, updated Filing invoice sheet. The form can be found at https://albertacourts.ca/qb/areas-of-law/civil/forms. If this version of the form is not used when submitting your documents for filing, your documents will be sent back to you (not filed) and you will be required to send a new email, with the proper invoice form. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Expected Timelines:

Documents will be filed in the order they are received and are filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations. King’s Bench Operation’s processing times may vary and can be found by sending in an email to the appropriate filing email address with the subject line “test”. The auto reply you receive will include the lead times as of the first day of the week for all areas. 

Orders for Justice or Applications Judge signature will be processed as the Judiciary sign them. Processing times may vary.

Document Submission:

Documents must only be submitted one way (e.g. email or FDS) please do not send your document multiple ways as this will result in duplications of documents and duplication of fees. Refunds will not be issued for documents submitted multiple times. For example, if a Statement of Defence is submitted by both email and FDS, a $100.00 filing charge and any applicable filing fees will be assigned.

If you have any further questions, please contact your local Courthouse. Contact emails for questions can be found below.

Please note that due to high call volumes in some jurisdictions, phone lines may be rerouted to the CJS Contact Centre. The Contact Centre will transfer calls to the appropriate location if a matter is urgent or if they are unable to assist directly.

For more information on court locations, sittings and contact info, please visit:

https://albertacourts.ca/kb/about/locations-and-sittings

Preferred Method of Contact for Inquiries and Follow-ups

Email is the preferred method of communication, as it allows for more efficient tracking and response. Most emails are responded to within 24–48 business hours.

If you haven’t received a response within that timeframe, please forward your concerns to: KBA.Leadershipteam@just.gov.ab.ca  Be sure to include specific details about the issue you are trying to resolve.

King’s Bench Operations strives to provide consistent messaging and assistance regarding process and procedures. We may also redirect inquiries to:

Rules of Court

Procedures and policy documents

Appropriate departments, when necessary.

Guidelines for Follow-Up Inquiries

To ensure your submission is processed efficiently:

Include “FOLLOW UP” at the beginning of the subject line for follow-up emails.

Include “ATTN SUPERVISOR” at the beginning of the subject line if the matter requires supervisor attention and forward your original submission.

Digital Filing Support

General Filing Support: jsg.filingsupport@gov.ab.ca

Civil Digital Filing Inquiries: kbcivildigitalfilinginquires@just.gov.ab.ca

User guides and lists of acceptable documents are available on each digital service site.

Where to send your filing:

Email filing requests should be sent to the following email addresses for each judicial center:

Documents in French should be sent to: depotenfrancais.KB@just.gov.ab.ca

The filing instructions in French may be found here.

Naming Convention for Attached Documents

A designated naming convention must be followed for all documents sent to the Court of King’s Bench for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the document. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-submit all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for consistent document file names.

Naming Convention for Email Subject Submissions

A designated naming convention must be followed for all emails sent to the Court of King’s Bench which contain documents for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the covering email. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for the immediate distribution of your email and its documents to the designated filing area, and this will ensure faster processing of your filing request. The naming conventions are as follows:

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CRIMINAL

Criminal forms may be found here https://albertacourts.ca/kb/areas-of-law/criminal/forms

If you are filing by email, please note the following items when sending your documents: 

1. Naming conventions for emails and documents must be followed as outlined below. For clarity, with regards to the naming convention, please ensure that no space precedes or follow dashes.

2. If your email is a follow up, please indicate FOLLOW UP at the beginning of the subject line. If your email is for a supervisor to FOLLOW UP on, please indicate ATTN SUPERVISOR at the beginning of the subject line and ensure to forward your original submission.

3. Once you file a document, through email or at a courthouse, you cannot change it. You may need to take legal steps to make any changes or corrections. Retracting your email will not work.

4. If you would like to add any identifying indicators for your file number, please include them at the end, enclosed in square brackets [  ].

5. If your document is rejected, please resubmit your filing with all documentation again, this includes your email request form. Your resubmitted document(s) will be filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.

6. Documents filed via email will be considered filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.  For more information on email filing and information related to urgent and limitation period submissions, click here.  

7. Please ensure affidavits are properly commissioned and sworn prior to submitting for filing.

Document Formats:

Please ensure all documents are attached to the email separately. For example, if you are sending an application and affidavit, your application and affidavit must all be sent in separate attachments. If your documents are sent as one large scan, your document will be rejected and you will be required to send a new email, with separated documents. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Additionally, the Court has posted Guidelines for Documents filed by email or digital upload.

Email Filing Invoice:

Please ensure you are using the correct, updated Filing invoice sheet. The form can be found at https://albertacourts.ca/qb/areas-of-law/civil/forms. If this version of the form is not used when submitting your documents for filing, your documents will be sent back to you (not filed) and you will be required to send a new email, with the proper invoice form. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Expected Timelines:

Documents will be filed in the order they are received and are filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations. King’s Bench Operation’s processing times may vary and can be found by sending in an email to the appropriate filing email address with the subject line “test”. The autoreply you receive will include the lead times as of the first day of the week for all areas. 

Orders for Justice or Applications Judge signature will be processed as the Judiciary sign them. Processing times may vary.

Document Submission:

Documents must only be submitted one way (e.g. email or in-person) please do not send your document multiple ways as this will result in duplications of documents and duplication of fees. Refunds will not be issued for documents submitted multiple times. For example, if a Statement of Defence is submitted by both email and in person, a $100.00 filing charge and any applicable filing fees will be assigned.

If you have any further questions, please contact your local Courthouse. Contact emails for questions can be found below.

Please note that due to high call volumes in some jurisdictions, phone lines may be rerouted to the RCAS Contact Centre. The Contact Centre will transfer calls to the appropriate location if a matter is urgent or if they are unable to assist directly.

For more information on court locations, sittings and contact info, please visit:

https://albertacourts.ca/kb/about/locations-and-sittings

Preferred Method of Contact for Inquiries and Follow-ups

Email is the preferred method of communication, as it allows for more efficient tracking and response. Most emails are responded to within 24–48 business hours.

If you haven’t received a response within that timeframe, please forward your concerns to: KBA.Leadershipteam@just.gov.ab.ca  Be sure to include specific details about the issue you are trying to resolve.

King’s Bench Operations strives to provide consistent messaging and assistance regarding process and procedures. We may also redirect inquiries to:

Rules of Court (Volume II)

Procedures and policy documents

Appropriate departments, when necessary.

Guidelines for Follow-Up Inquiries

To ensure your submission is processed efficiently:

Include “FOLLOW UP” at the beginning of the subject line for follow-up emails.

Include “ATTN SUPERVISOR” at the beginning of the subject line if the matter requires supervisor attention and forward your original submission.

Digital Filing Support

General Filing Support: jsg.filingsupport@gov.ab.ca

Family Digital Filing Inquiries: kbfddigitalfilinginquires@just.gov.ab.ca

Civil Digital Filing Inquiries: kbcivildigitalfilinginquires@just.gov.ab.ca

User guides and lists of acceptable documents are available on each digital service site.

Where to send your filing:

Email filing requests should be sent to the following email addresses for each judicial center:

Documents in French should be sent to: depotenfrancais.KB@just.gov.ab.ca

The filing instructions in French may be found here.

Naming Convention for Attached Documents

A designated naming convention must be followed for all documents sent to the Court of King’s Bench for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the document. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-submit all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for consistent document file names.

Naming Convention for Email Subject Submissions

A designated naming convention must be followed for all emails sent to the Court of King’s Bench which contain documents for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the covering email. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for the immediate distribution of your email and its documents to the designated filing area, and this will ensure faster processing of your filing request. The naming conventions are as follows:

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FAMILY/DIVORCE

For a list of accepted documents on Family & Divorce FDS (Filing Digital Service) visit here: Accepted Document List

Family law forms may be found here: https://albertacourts.ca/kb/areas-of-law/family/family-law-forms

The new Family Focused Protocol (FFP) is explained in more detail here: https://albertacourts.ca/kb/resources/announcements/notice-to-the-profession---public---new-processes-in-family-law---family-focused-protocol

If you are filing by email, please note the following items when sending your documents: 

1. Naming conventions for emails and documents must be followed as outlined below. For clarity, with regards to the naming convention, please ensure that no space precedes or follow dashes.

2. Your email must include the updated filing request form, and it can be found here.  (Items submitted on a Legal Aid Certificate do not need to include the filing request form.)

3. Submitting duplicate filing requests will result in duplicate filing fees.

4. If your email is a follow up, please indicate FOLLOW UP at the beginning of the subject line. If your email is for a supervisor to FOLLOW UP on, please indicate ATTN SUPERVISOR at the beginning of the subject line and ensure to forward your original submission.

5. Once you file a document, through email or at a courthouse, you cannot change it. You may need to take legal steps to make any changes or corrections. Retracting your email will not work.

6. If you would like to add any identifying indicators for your file number, please include them at the end, enclosed in square brackets [  ].

7. If your document is rejected, please resubmit your filing with all documentation again, this includes your email request form. Your resubmitted document(s) will be filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.

8. Documents filed via email will be considered filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.  For more information on email filing and information related to urgent and limitation period submissions, click here.  

9. Please ensure affidavits are properly commissioned and sworn prior to submitting for filing.

Document Formats:

Please ensure all documents are attached to the email separately. For example, if you are sending an application and affidavit, your application and affidavit must all be sent in separate attachments. If your documents are sent as one large scan, your document will be rejected and you will be required to send a new email, with separated documents. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Additionally, the Court has posted Guidelines for Documents filed by email or digital upload.

Email Filing Invoice:

Please ensure you are using the correct, updated Filing invoice sheet. The form can be found at https://albertacourts.ca/qb/areas-of-law/civil/forms. If this version of the form is not used when submitting your documents for filing, your documents will be sent back to you (not filed) and you will be required to send a new email, with the proper invoice form. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Expected Timelines:

Documents will be filed in the order they are received and are filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations. King’s Bench Operation’s processing times may vary and can be found by sending in an email to the appropriate filing email address with the subject line “test”. The autoreply you receive will include the lead times as of the first day of the week for all areas. 

Orders for Justice or Applications Judge signature will be processed as the Judiciary sign them. Processing times may vary.

Document Submission:

Documents must only be submitted one way (e.g. email or FDS) please do not send your document multiple ways as this will result in duplications of documents and duplication of fees. Refunds will not be issued for documents submitted multiple times. For example, if a Statement of Defence is submitted by both email and FDS, a $100.00 filing charge and any applicable filing fees will be assigned.

If you have any further questions, please contact your local Courthouse. Contact emails for questions can be found below.

Please note that due to high call volumes in some jurisdictions, phone lines may be rerouted to the CJS Contact Centre. The Contact Centre will transfer calls to the appropriate if a matter is urgent or if they are unable to assist directly.

For more information on court s, sittings and contact info, please visit:

https://albertacourts.ca/kb/about/locations-and-sittings

Preferred Method of Contact for Inquiries and Follow-ups

Email is the preferred method of communication, as it allows for more efficient tracking and response. Most emails are responded to within 24–48 business hours.

If you haven’t received a response within that timeframe, please forward your concerns to: KBA.Leadershipteam@just.gov.ab.ca  Be sure to include specific details about the issue you are trying to resolve.

King’s Bench Operations strives to provide consistent messaging and assistance regarding process and procedures. We may also redirect inquiries to:

Rules of Court

Procedures and policy documents

Appropriate departments, when necessary.

Guidelines for Follow-Up Inquiries

To ensure your submission is processed efficiently:

Include “FOLLOW UP” at the beginning of the subject line for follow-up emails.

Include “ATTN SUPERVISOR” at the beginning of the subject line if the matter requires supervisor attention and forward your original submission.

Digital Filing Support

General Filing Support: jsg.filingsupport@gov.ab.ca

Family Digital Filing Inquiries: kbfddigitalfilinginquires@just.gov.ab.ca

User guides and lists of acceptable documents are available on each digital service site.

Where to send your filing:

Email filing requests should be sent to the following email addresses for each judicial center:

Documents in French should be sent to: depotenfrancais.KB@just.gov.ab.ca

The filing instructions in French may be found here.

Naming Convention for Attached Documents

A designated naming convention must be followed for all documents sent to the Court of King’s Bench for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the document. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-submit all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for consistent document file names.

Naming Convention for Email Subject Submissions

A designated naming convention must be followed for all emails sent to the Court of King’s Bench which contain documents for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the covering email. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for the immediate distribution of your email and its documents to the designated filing area, and this will ensure faster processing of your filing request. The naming conventions are as follows:

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SURROGATE

For a list of accepted documents on Surrogate FDS (Filing Digital Service) visit here: Accepted Document List

Surrogate forms may be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/surrogate-forms-non-contentious-matters

If you are filing by email, please note the following items when sending your documents: 

1. Naming conventions for emails and documents must be followed as outlined below. For clarity, with regards to the naming convention, please ensure that no space precedes or follow dashes.

2. Your email must include the updated filing request form, and it can be found here.  (Items submitted on a Legal Aid Certificate do not need to include the filing request form.)

3. Submitting duplicate filing requests will result in duplicate filing fees.

4. If your email is a follow up, please indicate FOLLOW UP at the beginning of the subject line. If your email is for a supervisor to FOLLOW UP on, please indicate ATTN SUPERVISOR at the beginning of the subject line and ensure to forward your original submission.

5. Once you file a document, through email or at a courthouse, you cannot change it. You may need to take legal steps to make any changes or corrections. Retracting your email will not work.

6. If you would like to add any identifying indicators for your file number, please include them at the end, enclosed in square brackets [  ].

7. If your document is rejected, please resubmit your filing with all documentation again, this includes your email request form. Your resubmitted document(s) will be filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.

8. Documents filed via email will be considered filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations.  For more information on email filing and information related to urgent and limitation period submissions, click here.  

9. Please ensure affidavits are properly commissioned and sworn prior to submitting for filing.

Document Formats:

Please ensure all documents are attached to the email separately. For example, if you are sending an application and affidavit, your application and affidavit must all be sent in separate attachments. If your documents are sent as one large scan, your document will be rejected and you will be required to send a new email, with separated documents. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Additionally, the Court has posted Guidelines for Documents filed by email or digital upload.

Email Filing Invoice:

Please ensure you are using the correct, updated Filing invoice sheet. The form can be found at https://albertacourts.ca/qb/areas-of-law/civil/forms. If this version of the form is not used when submitting your documents for filing, your documents will be sent back to you (not filed) and you will be required to send a new email, with the proper invoice form. You will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed.

Expected Timelines:

Documents will be filed in the order they are received and are filed on the date that they are processed and stamped by King’s Bench Operations. King’s Bench Operation’s processing times may vary and can be found by sending in an email to the appropriate filing email address with the subject line “test”. The autoreply you receive will include the lead times as of the first day of the week for all areas. 

Orders for Justice or Applications Judge signature will be processed as the Judiciary sign them. Processing times may vary.

Document Submission:

Documents must only be submitted one way (e.g. email or FDS) please do not send your document multiple ways as this will result in duplications of documents and duplication of fees. Refunds will not be issued for documents submitted multiple times. For example, if a Statement of Defence is submitted by both email and FDS, a $100.00 filing charge and any applicable filing fees will be assigned.

If you have any further questions, please contact your local Courthouse. Contact emails for questions can be found below.

Please note that due to high call volumes in some jurisdictions, phone lines may be rerouted to the CJS Contact Centre. The Contact Centre will transfer calls to the appropriate if a matter is urgent or if they are unable to assist directly.

For more information on court s, sittings and contact info, please visit:

https://albertacourts.ca/kb/about/locations-and-sittings

Preferred Method of Contact for Inquiries and Follow-ups

Email is the preferred method of communication, as it allows for more efficient tracking and response. Most emails are responded to within 24–48 business hours.

If you haven’t received a response within that timeframe, please forward your concerns to: KBA.Leadershipteam@just.gov.ab.ca  Be sure to include specific details about the issue you are trying to resolve.

King’s Bench Operations strives to provide consistent messaging and assistance regarding process and procedures. We may also redirect inquiries to:

Rules of Court (Volume II)

Procedures and policy documents

Appropriate departments, when necessary.

Guidelines for Follow-Up Inquiries

To ensure your submission is processed efficiently:

Include “FOLLOW UP” at the beginning of the subject line for follow-up emails.

Include “ATTN SUPERVISOR” at the beginning of the subject line if the matter requires supervisor attention and forward your original submission.

Digital Filing Support

General Filing Support: jsg.filingsupport@gov.ab.ca

Family Digital Filing Inquiries: kbfddigitalfilinginquires@just.gov.ab.ca

User guides and lists of acceptable documents are available on each digital service site.

Where to send your filing:

Email filing requests should be sent to the following email addresses for each judicial center:

Documents in French should be sent to: depotenfrancais.KB@just.gov.ab.ca

The filing instructions in French may be found here.

Naming Convention for Attached Documents

A designated naming convention must be followed for all documents sent to the Court of King’s Bench for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the document. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-submit all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for consistent document file names.

Naming Convention for Email Subject Submissions

A designated naming convention must be followed for all emails sent to the Court of King’s Bench which contain documents for filing. If the naming convention as outlined below is not followed, your documents will be sent back to you unfiled, advising you did not use the proper naming convention for the covering email. Should this happen, you will be required to send a new email, with the proper naming convention and will be required to re-attach all documents you wish to be filed. The purpose of the designated naming convention allows for the immediate distribution of your email and its documents to the designated filing area, and this will ensure faster processing of your filing request. The naming conventions are as follows:

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URGENT

The urgent matters process is detailed here: https://albertacourts.ca/kb/court-operations-schedules/urgent

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