(a) Civil Cover Sheet. A party commencing an action shall file, as separate documents: (1)
the document initiating the civil action, and (2) a completed Civil Cover Sheet (Form JS-
44), which is available on the Court’s website. The civil cover sheet is for administrative
purposes and information appearing on the civil cover sheet will have no legal effect in the
action.
(b) Civil Cover Sheet Exceptions. Persons filing civil cases who are at the time of such filing
in custody of Civil, State, or Federal institutions, and persons filing civil cases pro se are
not required to file a civil cover sheet.
(c) Initiating Documents on Court Required Forms. Petitions for writs of habeas corpus
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 or 28 U.S.C. § 2254, motions to vacate sentence pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 2255, and civil rights complaints pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or Bivens v.
Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), filed
by persons in custody of Civil, State, or Federal institutions must be submitted on forms
approved by the Court and in accordance with the instructions provided with the forms.
Forms and Instructions are available on the Court’s website.
(d) Numbering Parties. Counsel and pro se parties are required to number each party only in
the caption of the initiating document. The initiating document should not include any
motion. Any motion intended to accompany an initiating document, such as a motion for a
temporary restraining order, must be prepared and filed as a separate document.
