JS 44: Civil Cover Sheet

Enter names (last, first, middle initial) of plaintiff and defendant.

If the plaintiff or defendant is a government agency, use only the full name or standard abbreviations.

If the plaintiff or defendant is an official within a government agency, identify first the agency and then the official, giving both name and title.

For each civil case filed, except U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at the time of filing.

In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed defendant resides at the time of filing.

In land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the "defendant" is the location of the tract of land involved.

Enter the firm name, address, telephone number, and attorney of record.

If there are several attorneys, list them on an attachment, noting in this section "(see attachment)".

Place an "X" in one of the boxes.

United States plaintiff, box 1: jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. 1345 and 1348; suits by agencies and officers of the United States are included.

United States defendant: when the plaintiff is suing the United States, its officers or agencies, place an "X" in box 2.

Federal question, box 3: this refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1331, where jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an amendment to the Constitution, an act of Congress or a treaty of the United States.

Diversity of citizenship, box 4: this refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1332, where parties are citizens of different states.

In cases where the U.S. is a party, the U.S. plaintiff or defendant code takes precedence, and box 1 or 2 should be marked.

Federal question actions take precedence over diversity cases.

If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown.

When Box 4 is checked, the citizenship of the different parties must be checked.

Mark this section for each principal party.

Place an "X" in the appropriate box.

If there are multiple nature of suit codes associated with the case, pick the nature of suit code that is most applicable.

Place an "X" in one of the seven boxes.

Original Proceedings (1): cases which originate in the United States district courts.

Removed from State Court (2): proceedings initiated in state courts may be removed to the district courts under Title 28 U.S.C., Section 1441.

Remanded from Appellate Court (3): check this box for cases remanded to the district court for further action. Use the date of remand as the filing date.

Reinstated or Reopened (4): check this box for cases reinstated or reopened in the district court. Use the reopening date as the filing date.

Transferred from Another District (5): for cases transferred under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1404(a). Do not use this for within district transfers or multidistrict litigation transfers.

Multidistrict Litigation - Transfer (6): check this box when a multidistrict case is transferred into the district under authority of Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1407.

Multidistrict Litigation - Direct File (8): check this box when a multidistrict case is filed in the same district as the Master MDL docket.

There is not an origin code 7. Origin Code 7 was used for historical records and is no longer relevant due to changes in statute.

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing; do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity.

Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause.

Example: U.S. Civil Statute: 47 USC 553 Brief Description: Unauthorized reception of cable service.

Place an "X" in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P.

In this space enter the actual dollar amount being demanded or indicate other demand, such as a preliminary injunction.

Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded.

This section of the JS 44 is used to reference related cases, if any.

If there are related cases, insert the docket numbers and the corresponding judge names for such cases.

Date and sign the civil cover sheet.

The JS 44 civil cover sheet, approved by the Judicial Conference in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. In JS 44 Reverse (Rev. 03/24), the JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and service of pleading or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court.

A civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of Court for each civil complaint filed.