Signing In

CottFile has two separate login portals depending on your role. Make sure you are using the correct one.

Filer Login

URL: /login

If you are an attorney, pro se litigant, organization administrator, or government filer, use the main filer login. From the CottFile homepage, click the Attorneys & Public card or the Sign In link in the top navigation bar.

You can sign in with:

• Google -- Click the Google button to sign in with your Google account.
• Email and password -- Enter the email and password you used when creating your account.

After signing in, you will land on your filer dashboard, where you can start new filings, check the status of existing ones, and view notifications.

📹 GIF: Signing in from the CottFile homepage -- clicking the "Attorneys & Public" portal card, entering email and password on the filer login page, and landing on the dashboard.

Staff Login

URL: /staff/login

If you are a court clerk, judge, judicial staff member, or court administrator, use the staff login portal. From the CottFile homepage, click the Court Staff card.

Staff login supports email and password only -- social login (Google) is not available for staff accounts.

After signing in, you will land on your role-specific home page:

• Clerks and Judicial Staff -- Filing review queue (/clerk/queue)
• Judges -- Judicial inbox (/judge/inbox)
• Court Administrators -- Filing review queue (with access to admin settings)
• Platform Administrators -- Admin panel (/admin)

📹 GIF: Signing in through the Court Staff portal -- clicking the "Court Staff" card on the homepage, entering credentials on the staff login page, and arriving at the clerk review queue.

Forgot Your Password?

If you cannot remember your password:

1. Go to the sign-in page (/login for filers or /staff/login for staff).
2. Click the Forgot password? link below the password field.
3. Enter the email address associated with your account.
4. Check your email for a verification code and follow the instructions to set a new password.

If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If you still need help, visit the Support page or contact your court administrator (for staff).

The forgot password page (/forgot-password) also provides a direct link back to the sign-in page and a link to the support page if you need further assistance.

Session and Security

• Your session will remain active as long as you are using the platform. After a period of inactivity, you will be signed out automatically and will need to log in again.
• For security, always sign out when you are finished, especially on shared or public computers.
• If you suspect someone has accessed your account without authorization, reset your password immediately and contact support.
• All routes except the homepage, login pages, registration, support, and documentation require authentication. Attempting to access a protected page while signed out will redirect you to the appropriate login page.