U.S. Merit Systems 

Protection Board

Susan Tsui Grundmann, Chairman

Anne M. Wagner, Vice Chairman

Mary M. Rose, Member
MSPB e-filing

Elect e-filing online at

e-appeal.mspb.gov

Select the e-Filing Status option

Or

Do as part of initial pleading




MSPB e-filing

• You can start with:

Pleading, or

e-Filing Status.
MSPB e-filing

• First step is to create a user_id.

• In addition to providing a 

password, you will be asked to 

provide answers to 3 security 

questions, which are used for a 

secondary security check when 

accessing the repository.
MSPB e-filing

• After logging in, you will be 

prompted for the MSPB Docket 

Number.

• You will be then asked to 

confirm that the correct case has 

been selected and your identity.
MSPB e-filing
MSPB e-filing
MSPB e-filing

• The system is designed for 

paralegals and other support 

staff to access using their own 

id.

• They would select On Behalf of 

Someone Else. An email is sent 

to the ‘other’ advising of this 

access the first time it occurs. 


• Most times, you will be 

presented with the generic 

pleading option; where you enter 

the title for your pleading.

• Depending on case status the 

options may be restricted to 

specific pleadings.

MSPB e-filing

• You are then prompted to select 

whether you want to upload your 

pleading or enter it on-line.

• Upload is best for any 

substantive pleading.

• On-line for short replies to orders 

or another pleading.
MSPB e-filing
• For the enter on-line option you 

receive a text box for typing up 

to 4000 characters but often less 

as italics indents, etc count as 

characters.

• Some pleadings such as Petition 

for Review have a series of 

questions.

MSPB e-filing

• Either option will allow you to add 

attachments later in the process.

• Upload is best with word processing 

or pdf documents but will accept a 

range of file formats.

• Do not include electronic signatures

• Do not include oversize images
MSPB e-filing
• Once you have selected your file 

for upload, need to decide 

whether either of the 2 check 

boxes are applicable:

• Continuation of prior pleading, or

• More than 3 documents are contained in 

the uploaded file.

• Check the continuation box, if 

this is additional part to the prior 

pleading.

• This is most often used when 

uploading an agency file or other 

large submission where total file 

size exceeds 10 MB.
MSPB e-filing

• When using the continuation 

option, the pleading title should 

identify it as a part; for example: 

Agency File – Part 2 or the 

more descriptive; Agency File –

Part 2 Tabs m – p.
MSPB e-filing
• If the file contains more than 3 

documents and bookmarks were 

not inserted into the file, then 

check the second box, and you 

will be provided prompts to 

identify on which page of your 

file the various documents begin.

• Enter the page number, a 

description of the document, 

then click ADD.

• You will then be given a prompt 

for the next document.

• Once you have entered all the 

documents, click Continue. 
• You will see a confirmation of 

the ‘bookmarks’ to be added.

• Then a confirmation of the file 

uploaded.

• Continue through the 

Declaration of Facts and Penalty 

of Perjury prompts.

• You will be asked if you have 

additional attachments.

• You may upload as many 

attachments as you would like, within 

the total pleading file size of 10 MB.

• With attachments like main pleading, 

if more than 3 documents in the 

attachment and not bookmarked, use 

the check box so you can add online.


• If you have an attachment, which 

cannot be uploaded, you may 

include a reference in your 

pleading by making an entry on 

the attachment page, with paper 

as the upload option, you will 

then need to send copy to MSPB 

and other parties.

• The pleading will be validated 

after attachment processing. If 

errors you will be prompted to 

correct.

• Otherwise, the Certificate of 

Service prompts will begin.
• If there are parties to be served 

by traditional means, you will be 

asked to enter service method.


• The final submission page will 

display after completion of the 

service prompts.

• There are 3 options:

• Print/Review draft

• Final Submission

• Save and Do Not Submit.

• Print Draft Copy for Review will 

open the pleading as a PDF file 

for your review.

• You should NOT print this copy 

for serving others, as it is still a 

DRAFT.
• Save and Do Not Submit –

allows for you to place the 

submission on hold. When you 

next log on provide the docket 

number for this case. You will 

be asked if you want to resume 

this pleading.

MSPB e-filing

• After receiving the confirmation 

page, print a copy of the file or 

save to your computer.

• If you need to serve other party 

with paper copy, print the 

document now. It will contain 

MSPB page footer with page 

numbers.



MSPB e-filing
• Note the options on the blue toolbar.

• You may submit another pleading 

in this case, or

• You may submit a pleading in 

another case.

• Using these options allows you to 

proceed without entering user_id

and password again.
• Submission of pleadings and MSPB 

distribution of documents generate 

an email notice to the user with a link 

to the e-appeal Repository.

• Using the link, passes the docket 

number without asking you to type it. 

However, you may always go directly 

to the Repository option on

e-appeal.mspb.gov and log in.
• Generally, documents will post to the 

Repository within an hour. However 

if MSPB is experiencing peak 

demand the time can be longer.

• In addition, there are documents 

which require manual processing and 

these may not appear until the next 

business day.
• When accessing the Repository, 

you will be asked one of your 

security questions.

• Be careful to select the correct 

role when logging on.

• You will have to attest to your 

identity.

• In the Repository – any document 

which is available in electronic format 

can be viewed and/or printed.

• If there is no download/view option 

shown, there is no electronic copy of 

the document. It was received in 

hardcopy and has not been scanned.


• When in the Repository, you 

may go directly to pleading 

submission on this case by using 

the File A Pleading option on the 

blue toolbar.

• You may also access pleadings 

in another case from the blue 

toolbar.
MSPB e-filing
MSPB e-filing

• A sample of the properly 

bookmarked agency file is under 

FAQs on web site at 

https://eappeal.mspb.gov/Images/AgencyFile

Sample.jpg
Sample 
Not Properly Bookmarked
Known Issues

• Some pleadings may not post as 

quickly as others into repository – if 

you have a confirmation do NOT 

resubmit.

• Do not include electronic signatures.

• PDFs from Konica Minolta scanners 

– pages assemble as blank pages.

• Do not include oversized pages.

MSPB e-filing

• For tech support call:

• 202-653-8878 8 AM – 5 PM

• Eastern Standard Time

• on business days.