FAQ
Start with the questions
that matter.
Clear answers for your next step — from requesting support
to records, membership, and what to expect.
Request ≠ invitation ≠ membership
These are distinct steps, each with a different purpose.
Request support
You tell us about your situation and what you’re looking for. Requests receive human review. A request does not guarantee an invitation or any specific outcome.
Request supportInvitation
If your request is a potential fit, you may receive an invitation to continue. Invitations are not automatic and are based on current capacity and alignment with our mission.
Membership
Membership follows a separate human-approved offer, acceptance and completed activation. A private invitation opens an application; it does not itself create membership.
Learn more about how it works →Getting started
Requests, invitations, and what to expect.
Does a request guarantee help?
No. A request does not guarantee an invitation, membership, or any specific outcome. All requests receive human review, and we respond based on current capacity and alignment with our mission.
How do invitations work?
If your request is a potential fit, you may receive a private invitation to continue. An invitation opens the applicant process; it does not itself create membership.
What information should I include in a request?
A brief, factual summary and contact information we can use privately. Provide the state and county, and the case number if known. Do not include identity documents, protected records or sensitive details about children.
Can I make more than one request?
Please avoid sending duplicate submissions. Contact PTB if you need to correct or add information to an earlier request.
Is there a cost to request support?
The public request form does not ask for payment. Review any proposed participation terms before agreeing to them; a request itself creates no membership or legal representation.
Access
Signing in, accounts, and availability.
How do members sign in?
Returning members sign in using their enrolled passkey. If you’ve been invited and enrolled, follow your activation instructions. Public self-signup is not available.
I was invited. What do I do next?
Use the invitation instructions and the email associated with your application. Applicant access is separate from membership.
I’m having trouble signing in. What can I try?
Confirm which portal you need. Applicants should use the invitation-associated email; members should use their enrolled passkey. Use the sign-in page’s recovery option or contact PTB without sharing codes or credentials.
Is membership available to everyone?
PTB is a selective program. A human review determines whether an offer is appropriate; acceptance and completed activation are separate steps.
Can I access resources without being a member?
Yes. The public resource guides are available without an account or identity verification.
Review
How requests are reviewed and decisions are made.
Who reviews requests?
Each request is reviewed by our team. We look for alignment with our mission and current capacity, and may request more information before deciding. Software does not independently decide membership. Records may support, complicate or contradict an initial account; no legal outcome is guaranteed.
How long does the process take?
There is no single timeline that applies to every case. Review time can depend on the information provided, verification requirements, available records, external custodians, and whether additional information is needed.
What happens if I’m not invited?
A request may not lead to an invitation. You can still use the public resources. A PTB decision does not determine the merits of a legal case.
Can I update my request?
Contact PTB with a brief description of the correction. Do not resend sensitive records through a public form.
Will I be notified either way?
PTB may contact you using the details you provide. There is no guaranteed response or decision timeline.
Is identity verification available during BETA?
Identity verification is deferred during BETA; portal access is not an identity-verification result. Do not send government IDs or facial captures for this deferred step.
Records
Preparing and preserving your materials.
What records should I keep?
Keep complete, original records whenever possible, including court filings, notices, orders, correspondence and relevant communications. Do not alter original documents. If you’re unsure what to keep, use the public resource guides.
Can I upload records with my request?
No. Public request, recommendation and contact forms do not accept attachments. Upload records only through an authorized private workflow when requested.
What file types are accepted?
Authorized private document uploads accept PDF, JPEG/JPG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF and WebP files, up to 20 MB each. The content must match the file type. A file accepted for upload is not a verified fact or a guarantee of legal admissibility.
Should I redact personal information?
Preserve the original separately. Make a working copy for appropriate redaction, and follow instructions for the authorized private workflow. Do not submit unnecessary sensitive details through public forms.
Will my records be shared with others?
Access to private materials depends on authorization and purpose. Participation does not authorize public publication. See Information Practices for the current plain-language explanation; final governing policies are pending.
Counsel & timing
Legal representation, timing, and next steps.
Can my attorney review PTB information?
PTB is designed to support counsel-review paths at appropriate stages. Protected counsel-review material is displayed only after the professional and the review request have been validated.
Can you recommend an attorney?
PTB does not guarantee an attorney referral or representation. For civil legal-help options, consult an established legal-aid directory or your local bar association.
How soon can I expect to hear back?
There is no set response timeline. Review depends on capacity, available information and whether clarification is needed.
What if my situation is urgent?
Do not rely on this form for emergency assistance or to protect a court deadline. Contact local emergency services for immediate danger, and your attorney or the court for time-sensitive legal instructions.
Where can I get additional help?
Our Who We Help page links to the Legal Services Corporation legal-aid directory. The Resources pages provide general organizational guidance, not legal advice.
Still have a question?
If you don’t see your question answered, contact our team for general guidance. Do not send sensitive records through the public contact form.