serif · OFL-1.1 · 2 weights
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Fonts for Legal Documents
Typography for court filings, contracts, legal briefs, and law firm communications. Many courts have specific font requirements for submitted documents.
20 free fonts | 1 source | Updated: Jan 2026
Typography Requirements
Source-backed compliance information for legal & law applications.
Federal Court PDF Requirements (Example: TX Northern District)
- • Times New Roman is the preferred font for court filings
- • Font size should be 10-12 points for body text
- • Black text only (no colors)
- • Standard page margins (typically 1 inch)
Source: TX Northern District PDF File Specifications (retrieved 2026-01-14)
Note: Requirements may vary by jurisdiction. Consult relevant authorities for your specific context.
Font Selection Checklist
Key questions to consider when choosing fonts for legal & law applications.
1
Which court or jurisdiction will receive this document?
Different courts have different requirements. Always check the specific court's local rules before finalizing typography.
2
Is this a court filing or client-facing document?
Court filings typically require Times New Roman or similar serif. Client communications allow more flexibility.
3
Does the document need to be electronically filed?
Electronic filings often require embedded fonts or specific PDF standards. Test compatibility before submission.
Recommended Fonts
Curated free fonts well-suited for legal & law applications.
serif · OFL-1.1 · Variable (100-900)
serif · OFL-1.1 · Variable (100-900)
serif · OFL-1.1 · Variable (100-900)
More Options
Additional fonts tagged for legal & law applications.
Josefin Slab
Var
serif Libre Bodoni
Var
serif Libre Franklin
Var
sans-serif Lora
Var
serif Playfair Display
Var
serif Source Sans Pro
Var
sans-serif Vollkorn
Var
serif Arvo
serif Cormorant Garamond
serif Lato
sans-serif Libre Caslon Display
serif Libre Caslon Text
serif Merriweather
serif Slabo 27px
serif Zilla Slab
serif Migrating from Premium Fonts?
Common premium fonts used in legal & law and their free alternatives.
| Premium Font | Free Alternative | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Times New Roman | EB Garamond | 85% |
| Garamond | EB Garamond | 92% |
| Baskerville | Libre Baskerville | 90% |
| Palatino | Libre Baskerville | 82% |
| Helvetica | Inter | 88% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What font do courts require for legal filings?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Many federal and state courts prefer or require Times New Roman in 12-point size. Some courts allow Century Schoolbook or similar traditional serifs. Always check the specific court's local rules, as non-compliant documents may be rejected.
Can I use sans-serif fonts in legal documents?
For court filings, serif fonts are typically preferred or required. However, for client communications, marketing materials, and internal documents, professional sans-serif fonts like Helvetica or Source Sans Pro are commonly used by modern law firms.
Related Industries
Sources
- TX Northern District PDF File Specifications — Retrieved 2026-01-14