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Civil Cover Sheet Eastern District Court of Virginia

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CIVIL COVER SHEET

The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE OF THE FORM.)

I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS

(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff County of Residence of First Listed Defendant

(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)

(c) Attorney's (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number)

Attorneys (If Known)

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an "X" in One Box Only)

III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an "X" in One Box for Plaintiff and One Box for Defendant)

For Plaintiff



For Defendant



IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an "X" in One Box Only)

CONTRACT











TORTS / REAL PROPERTY





















CIVIL RIGHTS / PRISONER PETITIONS












FORFEITURE / PENALTY / BANKRUPTCY / OTHER STATUTES / LABOR / IMMIGRATION





































V. ORIGIN (Place an "X" in One Box Only)

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):

VI. CAUSE OF ACTION

VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT

JURY DEMAND:

VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM JS 44

Authority For Civil Cover Sheet

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. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. Consequently, a civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of Court for each civil complaint filed. The attorney filing a case should complete the form as follows:

I. (a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. 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.

(b) County of Residence. 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. (NOTE: In land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the "defendant" is the location of the tract of land involved.)

(c) Attorneys. 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)".

II. Jurisdiction. The basis of jurisdiction is set forth under Rule 8(a), F.R.C.P., which requires that jurisdictions be shown in pleadings. Place an "X" in one of the boxes. If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown below.

III. Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. This section of the JS 44 is to be completed if diversity of citizenship was indicated above. Mark this section for each principal party.

IV. Nature of Suit. Place an "X" in the appropriate box. If the nature of suit cannot be determined, be sure the cause of action, in Section VI below, is sufficient to enable the deputy clerk or the statistical clerks in the Administrative Office to determine the nature of suit. If the cause fits more than one nature of suit, select the most definitive.

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

VI. Cause of Action. Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause. Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity.

VII. Requested in Complaint. Class Action. Place an "X" in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P. Demand. In this space enter the dollar amount (in thousands of dollars) being demanded or indicate other demand such as a preliminary injunction. Jury Demand. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded.

VIII. Related Cases. This section of the JS 44 is used to reference related pending cases if any. If there are related pending cases, insert the docket numbers and the corresponding judge names for such cases.

Date and Attorney Signature. Date and sign the civil cover sheet.

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What the Civil Cover Sheet Eastern District Court of Virginia Is

The Civil Cover Sheet Eastern District Court of Virginia is a standardized intake form filed with a federal complaint to summarize key case information for the court clerk. It identifies the parties, indicates the nature of the suit and jurisdictional basis, records the amount in controversy where applicable, and lists counsel contact data. The clerk uses the sheet for docketing, statistical reporting, and case assignment; it does not replace the complaint or serve as a pleading under the Federal Rules.

Why Accurate Completion Matters for Court Processing

Completing the Civil Cover Sheet accurately helps the clerk assign the correct case type, route the matter to the appropriate judge or calendar, and reduces avoidable processing delays. Clear entries decrease risk of administrative rejection and ensure accurate public docket metadata for case management and reporting.

Why Accurate Completion Matters for Court Processing

Who Typically Prepares the Civil Cover Sheet

Regardless of who completes it, ensure contact information and attorney bar numbers are accurate to avoid clerk follow-up or rejection.

  • Plaintiff's counsel completing initial filing and docketing details.
  • Defendant's counsel reviewing the entry for related-case reporting.
  • Pro se litigants preparing and signing filings without attorney assistance.

Step-by-Step: Filling the Civil Cover Sheet Eastern District Court of Virginia

Follow these core steps when preparing the cover sheet so the clerk can process your filing without routine questions.

  • 01
    Caption: Enter plaintiff and defendant names exactly as used in the complaint.
  • 02
    Counsel Details: Provide firm name, counsel name, full address, phone, and bar number.
  • 03
    Nature of Suit: Select the code and short description that best matches the primary claim.
  • 04
    Signature: Sign and date; include attorney bar number before submitting to the clerk.

Configuring an Online Filing with the Civil Cover Sheet

When e-filing, prepare the cover sheet as a separate, clearly labeled attachment and confirm platform settings match court requirements.

Field Configuration
Platform Access Use PACER/CM-ECF credentials with two-factor authentication for e-filing.
Attach Document Upload a single PDF and attach the Civil Cover Sheet as the first filing attachment.
File Types PDF/A or flattened PDF preferred; preserve legibility of entered fields.
Signer Authentication Attorney signature is via CM-ECF login; no separate image signature is required.

Where to File and How the Clerk Processes the Cover Sheet

The cover sheet is submitted with the initiating pleading and follows the court's electronic or paper intake process for docketing.

  • Attach to Complaint: Include the cover sheet with the complaint or initiating document at filing.
  • Electronic Filing: File via CM/ECF using your PACER account when required by the district.
  • Paper Filing: For permitted paper filings, deliver the cover sheet to the clerk with required copies.
  • Clerk Processing: Clerk assigns a case number and updates docket metadata upon acceptance.

Platform and Format Considerations for Electronic Submission

Verify local rules for any additional attachments, signature formats, or required certificates when using third-party integrations.

  • File Formats: PDF, Word DOCX accepted; PDF/A or flattened PDF preferred for long-term preservation.
  • Integrations: Cloud storage integrations (Box, Google Drive) can simplify uploads during e-filing.
  • Authentication: PACER/CM-ECF login provides required attorney authentication for filings.

Key Timelines and Court Processing Expectations

Understand timing for filing, service, and initial responsive pleadings to stay within Federal Rules and local deadlines.

Filing Time:

Complaint and cover sheet filed together at the initiating filing event.

Case Number Assignment:

Clerk typically assigns a case number upon acceptance of the filing.

Service Deadline:

Serve defendants within 90 days under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m).

Responsive Pleading:

Defendant generally must answer or move within the time set by the rules.

Processing Expectations:

Local clerk's office may take several business days for docketing and scanning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Cover Sheet

  • Using an incorrect nature-of-suit code leads to improper case assignment and possible clerk follow-up requiring amendment.
  • Entering mismatched party names between the complaint and cover sheet creates service confusion and administrative delays.
  • Omitting the attorney bar number or contact details frequently triggers clerk requests for corrected filings and slows docketing.
  • Uploading non-searchable or poorly scanned PDFs can prevent the clerk from reading entries and delay acceptance.

Penalties and Risks of an Incorrect Civil Cover Sheet

Administrative Rejection: Filing may be returned for correction.
Delayed Docketing: Case assignment and scheduling postponed.
Service Issues: Incorrect names can impede proper service.
Statute Risks: Late service may affect timely claims under FRCP 4(m).
Clerk Inquiries: Additional correspondence increases attorney time.
Public Record Errors: Misstated relief or jurisdiction may mislead stakeholders.

Required Information and Essential Fields on the Cover Sheet

Case Caption: Plaintiff and defendant names
Attorney Info: Counsel name, address, phone, bar number
Nature of Suit: Code and short description
Jurisdiction Basis: Federal question, diversity, other
Amount Claimed: Monetary amount or 'N/A'
Signature: Signed name, date, bar number

Practical Examples of Cover Sheet Use

Two concise examples show typical entries and why certain details matter for clerk processing and related-case reporting.

Employment Dispute Example

A terminated employee files a discrimination complaint

  • Nature-of-suit code: 442 employment discrimination
  • Accurate amount-in-controversy entries and clear jurisdictional basis prevent referral errors and speed assignment to the appropriate calendar.

Contract Dispute Example

A breach-of-contract suit asserts $125,000 in damages

  • Nature-of-suit code: 190 contract dispute
  • Listing the exact contract date and parties on the cover sheet helps clerks match related filings and prior state-court proceedings.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Comparison for Filing and Signing Documents

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HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About the Civil Cover Sheet Eastern District Court of Virginia

Answers to common procedural and e-filing questions about the cover sheet and how it interacts with federal filing rules and electronic signatures.


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