(a) A prevailing party who claims costs must file and serve a bill of costs and
disbursements on the form provided by the clerk no later than 14 days after the
date of entry of the judgment or decree. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1920, 1921, and 1923;
Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1).
(b) A bill of costs and disbursements must be supported by an affidavit and distinctly
set forth each item so that its nature can be readily understood. An itemization
and, where available, documentation of requested costs in all categories must be
attached to the bill of costs. See 28 U.S.C. § 1924.
(c) The deadline to file and serve any objection to a bill of costs is 14 days after
service of the bill of costs. An objection must specify each item to which
objection is made and the grounds for the objection and, if appropriate, must
include supporting declarations or other material. The deadline to file and serve
any response to an objection is seven days after service of the objection.
(d) If no objection is filed, the clerk must enter the bill of costs as submitted. Failure
to object to a bill of costs may constitute a consent to the award of all costs
included, but it does not prevent a party from filing a motion to re-tax as provided
in LR 54-12, subject to the court’s consideration of the party’s failure to file an
objection.
(e) If an objection is filed, once a response to the objection is filed or the deadline for
doing so has passed, the clerk may prepare, sign, and enter an order disposing of a
bill of costs, subject to a motion to re-tax under LR 54-12. The clerk’s taxation of
costs is final, unless modified on review as provided in these rules.
(f) Notice of the clerk’s taxation of costs must be given by serving a copy of the bill
of costs approved by the clerk on all parties in compliance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.
(g) Neither the parties nor their attorneys may appear on the date set for the taxation
of costs.
