Submission, Filing, and Recording

The differences among document submission, filing, recording, delivery, receipt, and acceptance in court, agency, and public-record processes.

Submission, filing, and recording are different events. Sending a document does not prove that an office accepted it for filing, and filing a document does not mean it entered a public recording system. Identify the office and the event you need before choosing a form, portal, or delivery method.

Submission

Submission describes sending or presenting a document to another person, organization, court, or agency. It is a broad movement or delivery concept.

Filing

Filing generally means that an office receives a document into a case, application, administrative process, or other official file. A document can be delivered to an office without necessarily being accepted for filing.

Recording

Recording generally refers to placing a document into an official public-record system, such as a land-records system. Recording is therefore different from filing a document in a court case or administrative matter.

Receipt is not the same as acceptance

A delivery confirmation can show that something arrived. Look for a separate filing stamp, docket entry, recording number, acceptance notice, or other status from the office when the process requires proof that the document was actually accepted or recorded.