eSubmission instructions

To electronically submit filings to Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) REF, use the eSubmission Portal.

The REF eSubmission Portal has two main parts: the Activation Tool and the Upload Tool. You must use both tools to complete your initial or final submission. Additionally, you must use the REF eSubmission Portal for both initial and final electronic submissions to REF. We no longer accept initial or final submissions via email or OAG Secure Cloud.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to complete your eSubmission to REF.  

Create account or log in

• If you don't have an account, create one by following the prompts and providing your basic information.
• If you already have an account, simply log into the Activation Tool. Note that if you previously created an account for REF’s ePayment Portal, you can use those same login credentials to activate your submission. You do not need a new account for the eSubmission Portal.

Access the Activation Tool 

Once you log in, you will automatically be directed to the Activation Tool. 

Select filing type 

Choose the appropriate filing type category for your submission from the dropdown menu. 

Enter basic information 

Complete all required fields, including:

• Submission details
• Plan ID (if required)
• Any additional information specific to your submission type. Note that much of your contact information will be automatically populated, based on the information you provided when creating your account. 

Add filing

• After you provide the required information about your filing, review the information and click the “Add This Filing” button.
• Note that any mistakes in your entry may significantly delay the submission date for your filing. If you realize that you made a mistake before activating your submission, you can click the X button to remove the filing from your invoice and start over. 

Review payment requirements

• If your submission requires payment, the required filing fee amount will be automatically calculated by the Activation Tool and shown on your screen.
• Input your payment information on the secure, third-party payment screen.
• Note that some submission types (such as most final submissions, other than offering plans) are free and will not require payment. You will see a payment amount of $0.00. You will not be prompted to enter your payment information. 

Activate your submission:

• Select “Activate Submission and Proceed to Payment ” to submit your information and complete your payment.
• If your submission does not require payment, you will be prompted to select “Activate Submission.” 

After successfully activating your submission, you will:

• Receive an immediate onscreen confirmation.
• Get a confirmation email within a few minutes that will contain:
  • Your unique Upload Code. – you will need this upload your submission files on the Upload Tool
  • A direct link to the Upload Tool
  • An attached PDF receipt for your submission activation and payment (if applicable) 

Important: Save the confirmation email and receipt and keep your upload code secure. You will need it to access the Upload Tool. 

Access the Upload Tool 

Access the Upload Tool in any of the following ways:

• Use the direct link provided in your activation confirmation email.
• Navigate directly to the Upload Tool using this link.
• Type https://ag.ny.gov/ref-upload-tool into your browser.  

Log in 

If prompted, use your same account credentials to log in. 

Enter Upload Code

• Enter your unique Upload Code into the designated area of the Upload Tool.
• Input the Upload Code exactly as provided in your confirmation email.
• Your Upload Code provides secure, temporary access to your specific submission that you activated with the Activation Tool. 

Upload required files

• The Upload Tool will display the specific documents required for your submission type. Upload each required file using the designated upload areas.
• Note that all documents must be in PDF format. 

Review your submission

• Verify that all required files have been uploaded successfully and that you have uploaded the correct files in the correct locations.
• Note that incomplete or inaccurate submissions may cause processing and review delays. 

Submit documents

• Select “Transmit Submission” to transmit your submission to REF.
• The Upload Tool will ask you to confirm that you want to transmit the submission. If yes, select “Confirm Transmit Submission.”
• Note that all information and files are transmitted using secure, encrypted connections and that files are processed in accordance with our privacy policies. 

Once you complete your submission:

• You will receive immediate onscreen confirmation that REF has received your submission.
• You will get a confirmation email with further instructions about the next steps in the process. 

Important: Successfully transmitting your submission does not mean that your submission is accepted for submission or is registered, accepted for filing, or filed. It simply indicates that you have succeeded at uploading and transmitting your submission files to REF. You will receive a separate email from REF indicating whether your submission was accepted for submission.