Courtpay

CourtPay FAQs

Public

Customer Service and Support

1. What is CourtPay?

   It is an online or electronic method of making court ordered maintenance payments.

2. Is CourtPay mandatory?

   Answer: Court Pay is mandatory if the court orders it.

3. Where can I access more information on CourtPay?

   Answer: Information on CourtPay can be accessed via the Judiciary’s website at http://www.ttlawcourts.org/ , the CourtPay Facebook Page, Information Fact Sheets and FAQ Brochures at Family Court.

Security

1. What are the terms and conditions for using the CourtPay account?

   Answer: The Terms and Conditions of Use can be found on the Judiciary’s website at http://www.ttlawcourts.org/

2. Do I need a password for my CourtPay account?

   Answer: Yes. A default password will be issued when you register for the service, however we strongly recommend that you change your password immediately.

3. How often do I need to change my password?

   Answer: There is no expiry period on your password. You can change your CourtPay password as often as you see fit.

4. What do I do if I forget my CourtPay password?

   Answer: Follow the steps listed on your online CourtPay account to issue a new password.

5. How do I know that my banking information will remain confidential and safe?

   Answer- Your personal information including your username, password and other sensitive information is transmitted over a secure channel via Secure File Transfer protocol (SFTP) technology and encrypted into our database on a secure server.  

Registration Process

1. Do I need a bank account to register for or to use CourtPay?

   Answer:

   1. If you are the Payor: You can access the CourtPay service without a bank account. If the court has ordered you (the Payor) to make maintenance payments into court and you DO NOT have a bank account, you can transact in cash by purchasing a CourtPay Top-up voucher at any NLCB Lotto Booth to transfer the funds to theA transaction fee will apply. (See the Schedule of fees and costs attached)  
   2. If you are the recipient (Payee): and DO NOT have a bank account, you will have to apply for a PayCard at the time of registration, which when issued, will allow you to receive the funds at any ABM at no cost to you unless the Court orders otherwise. The first issue of the card is free and it is valid for five (5) years.
2. Can I register for CourtPay after the court date?

   Answer: Registration for CourtPay AFTER the court date must be based on an order of the court. In such an instance, you must apply at the court hearing to have the registration process deferred to another date.  Please note that both parties must be present at the time of registration.

3. What happens if a person is unable to sign their name at registration?

   Answer: The appropriate attestation methods will be applied for that purpose.

4. What documents must persons have to register for a new account?

   Answer: Persons must present two (2) forms of valid picture IDs and their bank account information if they wish to pay or receive funds through their personal bank account.

5. What if I do not have two forms of picture ID?

   Answer: You will be required to swear by Statutory Declaration that you are the person named in the court order.

6. At what point does registration take place?

   Answer: Registration takes place immediately after the court hearing, unless the court orders otherwise.

7. Are any costs applied to the registration process?

   Answer: There is no cost to register for CourtPay.

8. Do I need to fill out any forms?

   Answer: Yes, the Court staff will provide guidance and assist with completing the required forms.

9. Can I register at home?

   Answer: No, registering for CourtPay must take place at the court at which the order was made.

General Questions on Payments and Fees

1. Can I still pay my maintenance fees at the counter?

   Answer: You must comply with the court’s order. Once the court orders that monies be paid and received using the CourtPay system, these instructions must be complied with.

2. What are the payment options?

   Answer: The payment options available to you are:

   • Cash Top-uP,
   • Credit Card On-line payments,
   • Credit Card at a CourtPay enabled Kiosk ttconnect
   • Linx at a court enabled,
   • Direct debit from your bank account. A form authorizing this deduction must be completed at the Court when registering
3. Can I switch to a different method of payment after registration?

   Answer: If the method of payment is not specified in the Court order you can pay by any method.

4. What are the different fees applicable to the Payor?

   Answer: A transaction fee is applied to each transaction the Payor undertakes. A list of transaction fees and costs is listed in the attached Schedule of fees and costs

   and can be obtained at the court office or the Judiciary’s website.

5. What are all the different fees applicable to the payee?

   Answer: There are no transaction fees applicable to the payee unless the Court orders otherwise.

6. If I deposit a lumpsum towards different scheduled payment periods will I be required to pay more than one transaction fee?

   Answer: The transaction fee is applied per transaction therefore if you make one lumpsum payment then one transaction fee is paid.

User Interface

1. Do I need a computer to use CourtPay?

   Answer: CourtPay is an on-line system. Therefore to use CourtPay you must have access to the Internet using a computer, SmartPhone, Tablet

   If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone or Tablet, you can use the Kiosk or self-serve desktop which is available at any court-enabled location or ttconnect

2. Can I use CourtPay with any web browser?

   Answer: You can use any standard web browser

3. Is there a CourtPay mobile app?

   Answer: There will soon be a CourtPay mobile app

4. What information can I access from my CourtPay account?

   Answer: You will have access to your transaction history

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE WITH THE BANK

ELECTRONIC DEBIT TO THE PAYOR’S BANK ACCOUNT

1. Can I arrange to debit any type of account?

   Answer: The deduction for CourtPay can be made from any chequing or savings account held at any commercial bank in Trinidad & Tobago. (It does not include Credit Unions, Unit Trust or any account that is not held at a commercial bank).

2. When will the deduction to my account be made?

   Answer: The deduction will be made on the date specified by the payor on the application form. This information must be provided at the time of registration.

3. What if the date of deduction falls on a weekend?

   Answer: If the date of deduction falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deduction will automatically shift to the next business day.

4. What if my account does not have sufficient funds to cover the deduction on the date of deduction?

   Answer:The deduction will not be processed and the payment will be reflected as outstanding on the Court system. You can however use another one of the options available to make your payment. We encourage you to always ensure funds are available on the date of deduction.

5. Are there any limits to the amount of money I (payor) can transfer? –

   Answer: Your normal banking criteria will apply. Check your bank for details.

6. Will I be notified once a deduction is made?

   Answer: You should check with your bank or utilise your bank’s online banking facilities if available, to ensure the deduction was made.

7. What happens to the deduction when the term of my payments has expired?

   Answer: The deductions will automatically cease on the expiry date noted on the form that authorizes the electronic debit to your account.

8. How soon will the receiver get the payment?

   Answer: If the payment is received in the Judiciary’s account by 11:30 AM on a regular business day, the funds will be credited to the receiver’s account by the end of business on the same day. If the bank receives the payment after 11:30 AM on a regular business day, the funds will be credited to the receiver on the following business day. If the bank receives the payment on a weekend or a public holiday, the funds will be credited to the receiver’s account on the next business day.

ELECTRONIC CREDIT TO THE PAYEE/RECEIVER’S BANK ACCOUNT

1. Can I arrange to credit any type of account?

   Answer: The credit can be made only to a chequing or savings account held at any commercial bank in Trinidad & Tobago. (NOTE: This does not include Credit Unions, Unit Trust Corporation or any account that is not at a commercial bank)

2. When will the credit to my bank account be made?

   Answer: The credit will be made once funds are received on your behalf.

3. What if my date of credit falls on a weekend?

   Answer: If the date of credit falls on a weekend or public holiday, the transaction processing will automatically shift to the next business day as long as funds have been deposited to your account.

4. How much does it cost to use the electronic credit to your account option?

   Answer: There is no cost to the receiver (payee) unless the Court orders otherwise.

5. What if my account is closed during the term?

   Answer: We encourage you to always ensure that your account remains active. Should the account be closed however, you will be required to visit the Court to update your CourtPay account information and complete a new authorization form with your new account information.

6. Will I be notified once a payment has been made?

   Answer: If you are the payee, when a payment is made to your account, a notification will be sent to the cell phone number or email address given by the recipient/payee at registration. You are obliged to notify the court promptly of any change in phone numbers, email addresses or mailing address.

ELECTRONIC CREDIT TO YOUR PAYCARD (PAYEE/RECEIVER)

1. What is a Republic Pay Card?

   Answer: The Republic Pay Card is a reloadable Electron Visa Stored Value Card issued by the Bank. Only payments ordered by the court to be paid into court can be made to the Paycard and only those court ordered funds can be accessed from the PayCard.

2. What do I need to obtain a Republic Pay Card?

   Answer: Where the recipient does not have a personal bank account and the court orders maintenance payments using the PayCard option, you simply need to apply for the card at the court location where you are being registered. You will be required to supply two (2) forms of valid and current photo Identification. If you only have one current picture ID or none at all your photograph will be taken and you will swear to and sign a Statutory Declaration verifying that the photo taken is indeed yours. The information you give on the Statutory Declaration Form must be true.

3. What are the terms and conditions for using the Paycard?

   Answer: You will receive official Terms and conditions, which you will be required to sign when applying for the card.

4. Where can I use the Republic Pay Card?

   Answer: You can use the Pay Card to withdraw cash at all ABMs and make purchases at Point of Sale Merchants in Trinidad & Tobago.

5. How can I find out the balance on my card?

   Answer: Balance enquiries are available via any ABM

6. Can the Paycard be skimmed?

   Answer: Yes. Any card can be skimmed if you are not careful. You must take all precautions to safeguard your pay card and its use as you would any other bank card

7. Does the Republic PayCard expire?

   Answer: Yes, every five (5) years. You will be sent notification close to the date of expiry, advising you to visit the Court location to begin the process of obtaining a new card. It is important that you do this.

8. How much does the Republic PayCard cost?

   Answer: The first issue of the card is FREE. Replacement cards for lost, stolen or expired cards cost TT$20.00.

9. Are there any fees for the use of the Republic Pay Card?

   Answer: There are no fees for the use of the Pay card at any ABM or Point of Sale.

10. Is there a limit to the withdrawal amount for the Republic Pay Card?

    Answer: Yes. Normal ABM cash withdrawal limits apply for funds to be dispensed at any one time or within one day.

11. What if my card is lost or stolen?

    Answer: You must immediately contact the Republic Bank Limited Call Centre at 1-868-627-3348 or the nearest branch of Republic Bank advising that the card has been lost or stolen. Thereafter you must inform the Court at which the card was issued and begin the application process for receiving a replacement card.

12. Is a police report needed if my card is stolen?

    Answer: To obtain your replacement card a police report must be submitted to the Court along with the application for a new card. You must walk with a valid form of identification when visiting the Court for your replacement.

13. How soon will I obtain my replacement card?

    Answer: Your replacement card will be available for your collection at the identified location within five (5) business days of applying for it.

14. When will the credit to my card be made?

    Answer: If the bank receives the payment by 11:30 AM on a regular business day, the funds will be credited to your card on the same day. If the bank receives the payment after 11:30 AM on a regular business day, the funds will be credited to your card on the following day. If the bank receives the payment on a weekend or a public holiday, the funds will be credited to your account on the next business day.

15. For unbanked customers how is the Paycard activated? Is it assigned on-site at registration, at a later date at the court location or will the customer be directed to visit a bank for card activation?

    Answer: The application for the Paycard is made at the time of registration. The application is sent to the bank who issues the card and it will be available for collection three (3) working days after registration at the court location where the application was made. The card is activated automatically after funds are loaded unto it.

Schedule of Transaction Fees:

Terms and Conditions of Use