Noting here Federal Rules of procedure allow you to fax in a presentment or an answer to an action:
First stop, Notes on FRCP Rule 5(2)e:
The present Rule 5(e) has authorized filing by facsimile or other electronic means on two conditions. The filing must be authorized by local rule. Use of this means of filing must be authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States and must be consistent with standards established by the Judicial Conference. Attempts to develop Judicial Conference standards have demonstrated the value of several adjustments in the rule.
The most significant change discards the requirement that the Judicial Conference authorize local electronic filing rules. As before, each district may decide for itself whether it has the equipment and personnel required to establish electronic filing, but a district that wishes to establish electronic filing need no longer await Judicial Conference action.
The role of Judicial Conference standards is clarified by specifying that the standards are to govern technical matters. Technical standards can provide nationwide uniformity, enabling ready use of electronic filing without pausing to adjust for the otherwise inevitable variations among local rules. Judicial Conference adoption of technical standards should prove superior to specification in these rules. Electronic technology has advanced with great speed. The process of adopting Judicial Conference standards should prove speedier and more flexible in determining the time for the first uniform standards, in adjusting standards at appropriate intervals, and in sparing the Supreme Court and Congress the need to consider technological details. Until Judicial Conference standards are adopted, however, uniformity will occur only to the extent that local rules deliberately seek to copy other local rules.
It is anticipated that Judicial Conference standards will govern such technical specifications as data formatting, speed of transmission, means to transmit copies of supporting documents, and security of communication. Perhaps more important, standards must be established to assure proper maintenance and integrity of the record and to provide appropriate access and retrieval mechanisms. Local rules must address these issues until Judicial Conference standards are adopted.
The amended rule also makes clear the equality of filing by electronic means with written filings. An electronic filing that complies with the local rule satisfies all requirements for filing on paper, signature, or verification. An electronic filing that otherwise satisfies the requirements of 28 U.S.C. s 1746 need not be separately made in writing. Public access to electronic filings is governed by the same rules as govern written filings.
The separate reference to filing by facsimile transmission is deleted. Facsimile transmission continues to be included as an electronic means.
Source:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/ACRule5.htm
Now for the Actual FRCP Rule 5(2)e:
Source:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/Rule5.htm#Rule5
Also on this next page scroll further down on using a "Certificate of Service"
FYI, North Carolina General Statutes 1A-5 & 1A-11
'Silver Dollar
Electronic filing of documents into a court, No more Green Cards
