Legal Document Size Requirements: Standards for Valid Documents
May 28, 2025
Legal documents don't have universal size requirements, but certain standards and practical considerations make some formats more acceptable than others.
Standard Paper Sizes for Legal Documents
Most legal documents in the United States use:
- Letter size (8.5" x 11") - Most common for contracts, agreements, and general legal documents
- Legal size (8.5" x 14") - Traditional for certain court documents and formal agreements
- A4 size (8.27" x 11.69") - International standard, accepted in most jurisdictions
Court-Specific Requirements
Different courts may have specific requirements:
- Federal courts typically accept 8.5" x 11" documents
- Some state courts require legal-size paper for certain filings
- Local rules may specify margins, font sizes, and formatting
Best Practices
- Check specific court or jurisdiction requirements
- Use standard 8.5" x 11" for most documents
- Ensure adequate margins (typically 1" on all sides)
- Use readable fonts and appropriate spacing