Civil Cover Sheet — Indiana Appearance and Case Type Designation

INDIANA CIVIL COVER SHEET

Appearance and Case Type Designation

Trial Rule 3.1 / Administrative Rule 8(B)(3)

Court System: Indiana Trial Courts (Circuit Courts, Superior Courts, City/Town Courts)
Governing Rules: Indiana Trial Rule 3.1 (Appearance); Administrative Rule 8 (Case Numbering)
E-Filing System: Odyssey File & Serve (Indiana E-Filing System)

Important: This template is a comprehensive intake worksheet combining the requirements of the Indiana Appearance form (Trial Rule 3.1) and the case type designation under Administrative Rule 8(B)(3). In Indiana, each party must file an Appearance in every case. The Appearance, together with the case type code, functions as Indiana's civil cover sheet equivalent. Confidential personal identifiers must be placed on a separate Confidential Information Sheet — NOT in filed documents.

SECTION 1: COURT IDENTIFICATION AND CAPTION

1.1 Court Selection

Indiana has multiple trial-level courts. Select the appropriate court:

☐ Circuit Court — One per county; general jurisdiction over all matters
☐ Superior Court — Additional trial courts in larger counties; jurisdiction varies by county
☐ City Court / Town Court — Limited jurisdiction (smaller claims, ordinance violations)
☐ Small Claims Court — Division of Circuit/Superior Court (claims up to $10,000)

County: [________________________________]
Court Name: [________________________________] (e.g., Marion Superior Court, No. 1)

1.2 Case Caption

STATE OF INDIANA

COUNTY OF [________________________________]

IN THE [________________________________] COURT

CAUSE NO.: [________________________________] (assigned by the clerk)

1.3 Cause Number Format (Administrative Rule 8)

Indiana cause numbers follow the format: CC-YYMM-CT-NNNNN

Example: 49D01-2603-PL-00001 (Marion County Superior Court, Division 1, March 2026, Civil Plenary, Case 1)

SECTION 2: APPEARANCE — PARTY STATUS (Trial Rule 3.1)

Under Indiana Trial Rule 3.1, every party in a civil case must file an Appearance.

2.1 Nature of Appearance

This Appearance is filed on behalf of:

☐ Initiating Party (Plaintiff / Petitioner — filing this action)
☐ Responding Party (Defendant / Respondent — responding to this action)
☐ Intervening Party (seeking to intervene in pending action)
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff (filing third-party complaint)
☐ Cross-Claimant (filing cross-claim against co-party)

2.2 Request for Service of Papers

Under Trial Rule 3.1(A)(2), the filing party requests that copies of all further pleadings, orders, and entries be sent to:

☐ Attorney of record (address below)
☐ Self-represented party (address below)

SECTION 3: PARTY INFORMATION

3.1 Party Filing This Appearance

3.2 Opposing Party / Parties

☐ Additional parties — See attached continuation sheet

SECTION 4: ATTORNEY OR SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY

4.1 Attorney Information

Attorney Number Requirement: All attorneys filing in Indiana must include their Indiana Supreme Court attorney number. Attorneys must maintain active status with the Indiana Supreme Court — Disciplinary Commission.

4.2 Self-Represented Party

☐ This party is self-represented (pro se)

SECTION 5: CASE TYPE CODE (Administrative Rule 8(B)(3))

Instructions: Select the ONE case type code that best describes this action. The two-letter code is used in the cause number assignment and for statistical tracking. Refer to the Indiana Case Type Quick Reference Guide for complete descriptions.

5.1 Civil Plenary / General Civil

☐ PL — Civil Plenary

• All civil cases filed after 1/1/2002 except those specifically designated below
• Includes: breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, business disputes, employment disputes, civil rights, insurance coverage, and all other general civil matters

5.2 Civil Tort

☐ CT — Civil Tort

• Cases filed before 1/1/2002 (legacy code — no new CT cases after 12/31/2001)
• Current tort cases use PL

5.3 Civil Collection

☐ CC — Civil Collection

• Debt collection actions
• Credit card suits, medical debt, promissory notes, accounts receivable

5.4 Mortgage Foreclosure

☐ MF — Mortgage Foreclosure

• Actions to foreclose on mortgages, deeds of trust, or land contracts
• Includes judicial foreclosure proceedings

5.5 Eviction

☐ EV — Eviction (Petition for Eviction)

• Residential and commercial evictions filed on or after 1/1/2021
• Includes claims for related damages filed with the eviction

5.6 Small Claims

☐ SC — Small Claims

• Claims not exceeding $10,000 (effective 7/1/2022; previously $8,000)
• Filed in the Small Claims division of Circuit or Superior Court

5.7 Miscellaneous Civil

☐ MI — Miscellaneous Civil

• Civil cases not specifically identified in other categories
• Includes: change of name, appointment of appraisers, marriage waiver, foreign judgment registration

5.8 Administrative / Judicial Review

☐ RA — Review of Administrative Agency Decision

• Petitions for judicial review under Indiana Code 4-21.5-5

5.9 Commercial Court

☐ CE — Commercial Court Eligible

• Cases qualifying for Indiana Commercial Court under Administrative Rule 13.1
• Includes: business governance disputes, trade secrets, non-compete agreements, derivative actions, business-to-business disputes exceeding $1,000,000

5.10 Protective Orders

☐ PO — Civil Protective Order

• Orders for protection under Indiana Code 34-26-5

5.11 Expungement

☐ XP — Expungement Petition

• Petitions filed under Indiana Code 35-38-9

5.12 Other Civil Case Types

☐ AD — Adoption (if civil filing)
☐ DN — Determination of Paternity
☐ DR — Dissolution of Marriage
☐ GU — Guardianship
☐ ES — Supervised Estate
☐ EU — Unsupervised Estate
☐ TR — Trust Action

Selected Case Type Code: [________]
Description: [________________________________]

SECTION 6: RELATED CASES

6.1 Related Case Disclosure

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Indiana court?

☐ No related cases
☐ Yes — Provide details below:

6.2 Consolidation Request

☐ Request for consolidation with related case(s)
☐ Request for assignment to same judge
☐ None

SECTION 7: JURY DEMAND

Indiana Trial Rule 38 governs the right to jury trial.

☐ Jury trial demanded

• The written demand must be filed and served after the action begins and no later than ten days after the first responsive pleading to the complaint or other properly pleaded claim.
• If no responsive pleading is filed or required, the demand is due within ten days after the time the pleading otherwise would have been required.
• The demand may be endorsed on a timely pleading or filed separately. Verify any clerk fee through the current local filing-fee schedule.

☐ Non-jury (bench trial)

Note: Failure to serve and file the demand as Rule 38 requires constitutes waiver. After the Rule 38(B) deadline, the court may grant a jury trial only if all parties file a written agreement; any later grant remains discretionary. Rule 38(A) separately distinguishes issues historically triable in equity from issues triable by jury.

Current official rule: https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/trial/rule38/current.htm

SECTION 8: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY AND RELIEF SOUGHT

8.1 Monetary Relief

Total monetary damages claimed (exclusive of interest, fees, and costs):

☐ Under $10,000 (small claims eligible)
☐ $10,000 — $49,999
☐ $50,000 — $99,999
☐ $100,000 — $249,999
☐ $250,000 — $499,999
☐ $500,000 — $999,999
☐ $1,000,000 or more
☐ Amount unspecified

Specific amount (if stated): $ [________________________________]

8.2 Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

☐ Injunctive relief (temporary restraining order / preliminary / permanent injunction)
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Specific performance
☐ Quiet title
☐ Foreclosure
☐ Ejectment / eviction
☐ Accounting
☐ Partition
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

8.3 Punitive Damages

☐ Punitive damages claimed
☐ No punitive damages claimed

Indiana Punitive-Damages Limits: Indiana Code § 34-51-3-4 caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $50,000. Section 34-51-3-6 allocates 25% of a paid punitive award to the person awarded damages and 75% to the State fund.

SECTION 9: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION (Administrative Rule 9(G) / RACR)

CRITICAL: Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9(G) and the Rules on Access to Court Records, certain personal identifiers must NOT be included in publicly filed documents. Instead, place them on the separate Confidential Information Sheet (CIS).

9.1 Confidential Information Sheet Required?

☐ Yes — Confidential Information Sheet will be filed separately
☐ No — No confidential information is required for this case

9.2 Information That Must Be on the CIS (NOT in the complaint)

☐ Social Security Numbers
☐ Dates of Birth (full — use year only in public filings)
☐ Financial Account Numbers (bank, credit card — use last 4 digits only in public filings)
☐ Driver's License Numbers
☐ Passport Numbers
☐ State Identification Numbers
☐ Tax Identification Numbers (of individuals)

9.3 Redaction Certification

☐ I certify that this filing has been reviewed and all confidential personal identifiers required to be excluded under Administrative Rule 9(G) have been redacted or omitted from publicly accessible documents.

SECTION 10: FILING FEES

10.1 Current Filing Fee Schedule (Indiana Code 33-37-4)

Civil Filing Fees:

Additional Fees:

Note: Fees are set by Indiana Code 33-37-4 and are uniform statewide for state-mandated fees. Some counties may assess additional local fees. Verify current amounts with the clerk before filing.

10.2 Payment Information

Filing fee amount: $ [________________________________]
Payment method: ☐ Odyssey e-filing (credit/debit card / eCheck) ☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Cash (in person only)
☐ Fee waiver / in forma pauperis petition (Indiana Trial Rule 83)

SECTION 11: SERVICE OF PROCESS

11.1 Service Methods (Indiana Trial Rule 4 et seq.)

Defendant / Respondent 1: [________________________________]
☐ Service by registered or certified mail (Trial Rule 4.1(A)(1)) — Default method
☐ Personal service by the sheriff (Trial Rule 4.1(A)(2))
☐ Personal service by a private process server (Trial Rule 4.16)
☐ Service at the defendant's dwelling by leaving copy with person of suitable age (Trial Rule 4.1(A)(3))
☐ Service by publication (Trial Rule 4.13 — requires court order)
☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent (corporate defendant — IC 23-0.5-4-4)
☐ Waiver of service (Trial Rule 4.12)

Defendant / Respondent 2: [________________________________]
☐ Service by registered or certified mail
☐ Personal service by the sheriff
☐ Personal service by a private process server
☐ Service at the defendant's dwelling
☐ Service by publication
☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent
☐ Waiver of service

11.2 Service Addresses

11.3 Registered Agent Service (Corporate / LLC Defendants)

Note: Search the Indiana Secretary of State — INBiz (https://inbiz.in.gov/BOS/Search/Business) for current registered agent information.

SECTION 12: E-FILING — ODYSSEY FILE & SERVE

12.1 Indiana E-Filing System

Indiana uses Odyssey File & Serve (powered by Tyler Technologies) for electronic filing.

• E-Filing Portal: https://indiana.tylerhost.net/ofsweb
• Mandatory for Attorneys: Yes — E-filing is mandatory for all attorneys in all Indiana courts
• Self-Represented Litigants: May e-file or file on paper at the clerk's window
• Registration: Free registration through the Odyssey File & Serve portal
• Accepted Formats: PDF (required; max 25 MB per document)
• Filing Time: Documents filed by 11:59 PM EST are deemed filed that day

12.2 Odyssey Filing Steps

1. Register at https://indiana.tylerhost.net/ofsweb
2. Select "File into New Case" or "File into Existing Case"
3. Select County and Court
4. Select the Case Type Code (per Admin. Rule 8)
5. Enter party information and attorney details
6. Upload the complaint, appearance, and all supporting documents
7. Select the filing code for each document (e.g., "Complaint," "Appearance," "Summons")
8. Enter payment information for filing fees
9. Submit — confirmation email with envelope number
10. Monitor for clerk acceptance; summons issued after acceptance

12.3 Mycase.IN.gov — Public Access

• Public Case Search: https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/
• Search by party name, case number, or attorney name
• View case status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings

SECTION 13: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided in this Appearance and case type designation is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that all confidential personal identifiers have been placed on a separate Confidential Information Sheet and have been redacted from all publicly filed documents. I have read and understand my obligations under Indiana Trial Rule 11 regarding certification of pleadings.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________________________
Signature

_________________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Indiana Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Representing: ☐ Plaintiff/Petitioner  ☐ Defendant/Respondent  ☐ Self (Pro Se)

Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
         [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

SECTION 14: FILING CHECKLIST

Before filing, confirm the following documents are prepared:

☐ Appearance (Trial Rule 3.1) — completed and signed
☐ Complaint / Petition (original, signed)
☐ Summons (to be issued by Clerk upon filing per Trial Rule 4)
☐ Case Type Code designation (Admin. Rule 8)
☐ Confidential Information Sheet (if applicable — Admin. Rule 9(G))
☐ Filing fee payment or in forma pauperis petition (Trial Rule 83)
☐ Copies for service on each defendant/respondent
☐ Jury demand (if requesting jury trial — Trial Rule 38)
☐ Lis pendens (if real property action — Indiana Code 32-30-11-3)
☐ Emergency motion / TRO (if expedited relief sought)
☐ Corporate disclosure statement (if applicable)
☐ Proposed order (if filing with a motion)
☐ Certificate of service (Trial Rule 5(B)(2))

SECTION 15: PRACTITIONER NOTES

15.1 Venue Rules (Indiana Trial Rule 75)

• Preferred venue: County where defendant resides at the time of filing, or county where the claim arose (Trial Rule 75(A))
• Real property: County where the property is situated (Trial Rule 75(A)(1))
• Corporate defendants: County of principal office or county where a transaction occurred (Trial Rule 75(A)(3))
• Government entities: County where the cause of action arose
• Objection to venue: Must be raised in the first responsive pleading or motion (Trial Rule 75(C))
• Change of venue from the county: Available under Trial Rule 76; motion must be filed before trial

15.2 Statute of Limitations Reminders

15.3 Indiana-Specific Procedural Notes

1. Medical Malpractice — Proposed Complaint: Under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act (IC 34-18), medical malpractice claims must first be submitted to the Indiana Department of Insurance for a medical review panel before filing in court. File a proposed complaint with the Department of Insurance.

2. Comparative Fault: Indiana follows modified comparative fault (IC 34-51-2-6). A plaintiff who is more than 50% at fault is barred from recovery. Damages are reduced by the plaintiff's percentage of fault.

3. Indiana Commercial Court: Administrative Rule 13.1 created the Indiana Commercial Court for complex business disputes. Cases qualifying as "commercial court eligible" (CE) are assigned to designated commercial court judges.

4. Confidential Information Sheet (CIS): The CIS is filed under seal with the clerk and is NOT accessible to the public. It contains full Social Security numbers, dates of birth, account numbers, and other protected identifiers.

5. Provisional Remedies / TRO: Under Trial Rule 65, a temporary restraining order may be granted without notice to the adverse party if irreparable injury will result before the adverse party can be heard. A TRO expires after 10 days unless extended for good cause.

6. Summary Judgment: Under Trial Rule 56, summary judgment motions must be served at least 30 days before the hearing. The non-moving party has 30 days to respond.

15.4 Key Court Contacts

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Indiana Judicial Branch — Forms: https://www.in.gov/courts/publications/forms/
• Indiana Administrative Rule 8 (Uniform Case Numbering): https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule8/current.htm
• Indiana Case Type Quick Reference Guide: https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/casetype-quick-reference.pdf
• Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual: https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/courtmgmt-pubs-trial-court-fee-manual.pdf
• Indiana E-Filing User Guide: https://www.in.gov/courts/files/efiling-user-guide.pdf
• Odyssey File & Serve: https://indiana.tylerhost.net/ofsweb
• Mycase.IN.gov (Public Case Search): https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/
• Indiana Secretary of State — INBiz: https://inbiz.in.gov/BOS/Search/Business
• Case Initiation and Filings Guide: https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/pubs-trial-court-initiating-case.pdf