Case Opening Checklist (Revised 3/2018) (PDF)
Attorney's Guide to Opening a
Civil Case (Revised 1/2019) (4.6 mb PDF)
The Attorney's Guide is also available in smaller file sizes by section:
4. Adding Case Participants - 1
5. Adding Case Participants - 2
Filer tasks (via CM/ECF):
- Enter Civil Cover Sheet information
- Add case participants from the Complaint or Notice of Removal
- Upload initial pleadings in PDF format
- Pay the filing fee through Pay.gov, and
- Transmit the case information and documents to the court
Court staff tasks:
- Issue summons, if any
- Assign the judge to the case
- Do a quality check of the new case after it is filed, and
- Notify filer of deficiencies or errors
Civil case forms:
- Civil Cover Sheet (PDF)
- Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (PDF)
- Summons (PDF)
- Report on Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright (PDF)
- Report on Filing or Determination of an Action Regarding a Patent or Trademark (PDF)