Creating a new agency in eCourtDate allows you to set up an isolated tenant for a specific department, use case, or location, keeping data and settings completely separate.

### Overview

- Each eCourtDate agency is an independent tenant with its own data, users, settings, and configurations
- Create separate agencies for different use cases such as Jury, Defendant, Probationer, or other programs
- Agencies allow you to manage staff across different physical locations or jurisdictions independently
- Administrative and IT offices serving multiple groups, departments, districts, or locations can use multiple agencies to maintain clear separation
- New agencies are created through the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com/)

### Prerequisites

- You must be a super admin for at least one agency in eCourtDate
- You must have access to the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com/)
- You should know which region you want to create the agency in (Staging, US-South, US-East, US-West, or US-Texas)

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Verify the Agency Does Not Already Exist

1. Log in to the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com/)
2. Click the **Agencies** link in the top navigation bar
3. Search for the agency name to verify it is not already listed

#### Step 2: Create the Agency

1. Click the **Tools** link in the top navigation bar
2. Locate the **Create Agency** form
3. Enter the agency name, region, and any other required details
4. Click the **Create** button

![Create Agency Tool in the eCourtDate Console](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/images/articles/console-create-agency.png)

#### Step 3: Confirm Creation

1. Check your email for a notification confirming the agency has been created
2. If you have multiple agencies, switch to the new agency to verify access

### What to Expect

After clicking **Create**, the system will provision the new agency. You will receive an email notification when the agency is ready. The agency will appear in the agency switcher dropdown once it is fully created. If you already have multiple agencies, you will need to switch to the new one to begin configuring it.

### Best Practices

- Use the **Staging** region for testing and development agencies so you can safely experiment without sending live messages
- Choose the **US-South** region for production agencies unless you have a specific geographic requirement
- Name your agencies clearly and consistently (e.g., include the department, location, or use case in the name)
- After creating the agency, complete the full setup process before inviting other users
- Use the **Send Mode** feature in production agencies to control whether messages are simulated or sent live during initial testing

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Which region should I choose for my new agency?**
A: Choose **Staging** for testing and development. For production use, select one of US-South, US-East, US-West, or US-Texas. We recommend US-South for most agencies.

**Q: Do I have to invite users to the new agency separately?**
A: Yes. Each agency is a separate tenant. Even if you already have users in another agency, you will need to invite them to the new agency by going to **Admin** > **Users** and filling in the **Create User** form.

**Q: Can I send live messages from a staging agency?**
A: No. Staging does not support live outbound messages, though you can test live inbound messages. If you need to test outbound messages, create a production agency and use the **Send Mode** feature to control whether messages are simulated or sent live.

**Q: What should I do after the agency is created?**
A: Complete the initial agency setup, which includes configuring users, templates, and settings. See [How to Set Up a New Agency](/how-to-set-up-a-new-agency) for a detailed walkthrough.

**Q: I created the agency but I cannot see it in the agency switcher. What should I do?**
A: Make sure you are signed into the correct environment. Staging agencies only appear when you are signed into [staging.ecourtdate.com](https://staging.ecourtdate.com), and production agencies only appear when you are signed into [app.ecourtdate.com](https://app.ecourtdate.com). Check that you are in the correct region by clicking the **Globe** icon in the top right corner.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** The new agency does not appear in the agency switcher
**Symptoms:** You created the agency but cannot find it when switching agencies.
**Solution:**

1. Confirm you received the creation confirmation email
2. Verify you are signed into the correct environment (staging vs. production)
3. Click the **Globe** icon in the top right corner and confirm you are in the correct region
4. Try refreshing the page or signing out and back in

**Issue:** You do not see the **Tools** link or **Create Agency** form in the Console
**Symptoms:** The Tools page does not display the Create Agency option.
**Solution:**

1. Verify you are logged into the [eCourtDate Console](https://console.ecourtdate.com/) (not the main application)
2. Confirm your account has super admin permissions
3. If the issue persists, contact support by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen

### Related Articles

- [How to Set Up a New Agency](/how-to-set-up-a-new-agency)
- [How to Switch Agencies](/how-to-switch-agencies)
- [How to Copy Settings From One Agency to Another](/how-to-copy-settings-from-one-agency-to-another)
- [How to Run Console Tools](/how-to-run-console-tools)
- [How to Deactivate Agencies](/how-to-deactivate-agencies)
- [Roles and Permissions](/roles-and-permissions)