Civil Cover Sheet and Format of Initiating Document

Every complaint or other document initiating a civil action must be accompanied by a completed civil cover sheet (Form JS-44), available from the court clerk’s office or on the court’s website. This requirement is solely for administrative purposes and matters appearing only on the civil cover sheet will have no legal effect in the action. If the complaint or other initiating document is submitted without a completed civil cover sheet, the Clerk must file the complaint or other initiating document as of the date received and promptly give notice of the omission of the civil cover sheet to the party initiating the federal court action. Counsel and pro se litigants are required to number each party separately in the caption of the initiating document, plaintiffs consecutively and defendants consecutively.

Pro se litigants are also required to complete the form furnished by the court for issuance of summons.