Institution of Suit, Pleadings, and Other Procedural Matters

Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest 3. ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. In cases exempt from electronic filing, counsel shall submit to the Clerk the following number of copies when process is to be served: (a) two (2) copies of any summons for each party to be served, except that in cases where the United States, a federal agency, or a federal employee in his official capacity is named as a defendant, six (6) copies of the summons should be submitted; (b) five (5) copies of a warrant for arrest or summons with process of maritime attachment and garnishment for tangible property or two (2) copies of such documents for intangible property; and (c) three (3) copies of all writs, including writs of possession, replevin, execution, garnishment, and attachment before a judgment. b) When Served by Marshal Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the United States Marshal shall not serve any process or subpoenas except the following: (a) all process for a party proceeding in forma pauperis without counsel; (b) warrants of arrests in rem or process of maritime attachment and garnishment; (c) writs of possession, replevin, execution, garnishment, and attachment before a judgment; (d) process served under 28 U.S.C. § 2361; and (e) when requested by the plaintiff, process in suits where the plaintiff is authorized to proceed as a seaman under 28 U.S.C. § 1916. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, and except for a party who is proceeding in forma pauperis or as a seaman under 28 U.S.C. § 1916, the Marshal may require a party to pay or secure the fees and expenses before serving any process which this Rule requires that the Marshal serve. c) Waiver Procedure Whenever the waiver procedure under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) is invoked, counsel shall submit to the Clerk a notice identifying the defendant(s) to whom the notice and request to waive service of summons is being sent. The notice shall be filed upon the filing of the complaint or such later date that counsel decides to invoke the waiver procedure.

Plaintiff is required to promptly file such notice, and failure to do so may result in the Court declining to impose costs under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) absent a showing of good cause. d) Issuance of Summons in Self-Represented Cases To ensure a summons is “properly completed” under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(b), the Clerk shall not issue a summons to any self-represented litigant without first obtaining an order from the Court authorizing issuance of the summons. 3. Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest When filing an initial pleading, motion or other paper that initiates a civil action, including the removal of a state action, or promptly after learning of the information to be disclosed, counsel shall file a statement (separate from any pleading, motion, or other paper) containing the following information. U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (December 1, 2025) 8