(a) Generally. A party filing a document electronically must ensure that the filing complies with the provisions of this Rule, and that the document is complete and readable.

(b) Portal. An attorney or a party must properly register on an appellate court's electronic filing portal before electronically filing a document. The portal may require payment of a fee in conjunction with an electronic filing.

(c) Format. A document filed electronically that contains text, other than a scanned document image that is submitted under this Rule, must be in a text-searchable .pdf, .odt, or .docx format. A document may not exceed the size limits allowed by the portal, but it may be broken up into multiple documents to accommodate such a limit. A filer may scan and file a document that requires a notarial officer if the scan contains the notarial officer's signature, a certificate as required by A.R.S. § 41-264, and stamp or seal, if applicable. A party may file an official record of a court or government body if the scanned copy contains the court or body's official stamp or seal of authenticity. A party may satisfy a court rule that requires the attachment of a document or exhibit by electronically attaching within the same submission either a scanned image or an electronic copy in an approved format.

(d) Bookmarks. A document filed electronically with the appellate clerk may include bookmarks, and appellate courts encourage their use. A bookmark is a linked reference to another page within the same document. A document reference that is incapable of bookmarking may be made accessible by a hyperlink.

(e) Hyperlinks. A document filed electronically with the appellate clerk may include hyperlinks, and appellate courts encourage their use. A hyperlink is an electronic link in a document to another document, or to a website. Material that is not in the official court record does not become part of the official record merely because it is made accessible by a hyperlink.

(g) Time of Filing. An electronically filed document will be deemed filed on the date and time that it is received by the appellate clerk, as shown on an email notification from the portal or as displayed within the portal.

(h) Electronic Distribution by an Appellate Clerk. An appellate clerk may electronically distribute appellate court documents to a party's or person's attorney of record. An appellate clerk also may electronically distribute documents to a self-represented party that has filed a completed and signed Form 5, which provides that party's email address and the party's written consent to electronic distribution at that email address. Electronic distribution of documents by the appellate clerk is complete when the documents are transmitted by an appellate clerk to the email address provided to the appellate clerk.