file

verb
  1. a : to submit (a legal document) to the proper office (as the office of a clerk of court) for keeping on file among the records especially as a procedural step in a legal transaction or proceeding filed a tax return a financing statement filed with the Secretary of State filing a notice of appeal; also : record filed a mortgage in the Registry of Deeds : record filed a mortgage in the Registry of Deeds

    Note: In nearly all cases, a document is deemed to be filed when it is actually received by the office to which it is directed. A few cases, however, have held that a document is filed upon the mailing of it.

    b : to place (as a document) on file among the records of an office especially by formally receiving and endorsing a complaint filed by the clerk despite the absence of the filing fee

    : to register as a candidate especially in a primary election

  1. : to place items in a file

    : to place items in a file

  1. : to initiate (a judicial or administrative proceeding) by submitting the proper documents or following proper procedure : bring threatened to file charges two separate actions were filed by representatives of the estates —J. H. Friedenthal et al.

file

noun
  1. : a collection of papers or publications usually arranged or classified; specifically : the papers that make up the record of a case : the papers that make up the record of a case