The AO 440 Summons form is prescribed by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for use in all federal district courts. It initiates formal service of process under Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Once the court clerk signs and stamps this summons, the plaintiff must deliver it to the defendant along with a copy of the complaint. Proper service is a legal requirement that gives the court personal jurisdiction over the defendant.
The form contains 31 fillable fields spread across two pages. Page one identifies the parties, the court, and the civil action number. It also states the deadline for filing a response. Page two provides the proof of service section where the process server records the date, method, and location of delivery. Courts accept personal service, service on an authorized agent, or service by certified mail depending on the jurisdiction and the type of defendant.
Defendants who fail to file a timely answer risk a default judgment, which allows the court to grant the relief requested in the complaint without a trial. Understanding each field and completing the form accurately is essential for both plaintiffs and defendants involved in federal civil litigation. If your case also requires a formal complaint form, you can find fillable templates on FormsPal.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | AO 440 Form |
| Form Length | 2 pages |
| Fillable? | Yes |
| Fillable fields | 31 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 6 min 46 sec |
| Other names | ao 440 rev 06 12 summons in a civil action page 2 fillable form, 440 summons civil, 440 summons, 440 summons action form |