Free Information for Parties who Wish to File a Civil Complaint - District of Columbia

Rev. 4/06 Pro Se Pd./ Attorney

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INFORMATION FOR PARTIES WHO WISH TO FILE A CIVIL COMPLAINT
The following instructions have been compiled to assist a party wishing to file a complaint in this Court. Although we have attempted to simplify procedures, we cannot provide legal advice, pursuant to our Local Rules. It is not anticipated that these instructions will satisfy all of your needs. The Local Rules are available in the Clerk's Office at no charge, and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are available at any public library. Both sets of rules are also available on our website at: www.dcd.uscourts.gov/rules-forms.html. FILING FEE: The required filing fee for a new case is $350.00. Your check or money order should be made payable to "Clerk, U.S. District Court." CIVIL COVER SHEET: Our Civil Cover Sheet, Form JS-44, must be completed and submitted with your complaint. COMPLAINT: The name of this Court must be written at the top of the first page. The complete name and address for each plaintiff must be included in the caption of the complaint. A Post Office Box is insufficient as an address, unless you file a separate motion asking the Court to permit such an address. All defendants must be named in the caption. The use of et al. is not permitted as the rules require you to name each defendant. The word COMPLAINT must appear under the caption. Clearly set out your grievance in the body of the complaint, name those against whom you have a grievance, and what you would like the Court to do to correct the situation. If you are requesting a jury trial, the jury demand must be stated in your complaint. The complaint must be double-spaced, on white, letter size (8 1/2 x 11 inch) paper, and two-hole punched at the top. Write only on the front of each page. You must originally sign your complaint in ink. The complaint must be filed in duplicate. (Sample format attached). SUMMONS: Your summons must comply with Federal Rule 4(a) and 4(b) before it will be signed by a Deputy Clerk. A summons must be prepared for each defendant listed in your complaint prior to filing. You are responsible for service of the summons and complaint. If a U.S. Government agent or agency is a named defendant, your must prepare two additional summons; one for the U.S. Attorney General, and one for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorney General is located at: 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is located at: 501 Third Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. You must serve the originally signed and sealed summons, a copy of the complaint, and any other motion(s) and/or 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statements presented at the time of filing on each named defendant in your complaint. EXECUTED RETURN OF SERVICE: Litigants must file an executed return of service with the Court for each summons issued. (Sample format attached). EEOC COMPLAINT: If you have been issued a Right to Sue Letter, you should attach it to each complaint. CLERK'S OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS: U.S. District Court Clerk's Office, 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 1225, Washington, DC 20001.

NANCY MAYER-WHITTINGTON, CLERK