What is the filing date of a document?

The filing date of a document is specifically defined as the date when the court clerk receives and accepts the document. This is significant because it marks the official entry of the document into the court's records, establishing a timeline for any proceedings related to that document.

In legal terms, the date of submission does not necessarily equate to the filing date; a document may be submitted but not officially filed until the court clerk processes it. Additionally, any dates specified within the document itself do not determine the filing date, as they pertain to the content of the document and not to its acceptance by the court. Serving the document to other parties also does not establish the filing date; service pertains to notifying other involved parties, which is a separate process from filing. Therefore, the correct answer accurately reflects the formal process that gives a document legal standing in court proceedings.