Mississippi Civil Case Filing Form Cover Sheet (AOC/01)
COVER SHEET
Civil Case Filing Form (Form AOC/01)
State of Mississippi
AUTHORITY: Pursuant to the Mississippi Supreme Court Administrative Order dated October 25, 2000, a party or the party's representative must file a completed and signed cover sheet at the time of filing a civil case. This form shall be completed and filed with the initial pleading and again at final disposition. Failure to submit a completed cover sheet may result in the court staying proceedings or, upon proper notice, dismissal of the case.
PURPOSE: This form is designed for the uniform collection of case data. It shall be used in assigning and allocating cases and collecting statistical case data for the Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts (AOC). This cover sheet is NOT admissible as evidence in any court proceeding and does NOT replace or supplement the filing and service of pleadings, orders, or other papers as required by law or the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
FILING NOTE: Civil complaints cannot be initiated electronically through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system. The complaint and this cover sheet must be filed conventionally (hard copy by U.S. mail or in-person delivery) with the clerk of court, accompanied by the required filing fee. Subsequent filings after case initiation may be submitted electronically through MEC.
SECTION I: COURT IDENTIFICATION
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| County | [________________________________] |
| County Number | [____] |
| Judicial District | [________________________________] |
| Court Type | ☐ CH (Chancery) |
| Case Year | [____] |
| Docket Number | [________________________________] (Assigned by Clerk) |
| Local Docket ID | [________________________________] (If applicable) |
SECTION II: CASE CAPTION
IN THE ☐ CIRCUIT COURT ☐ CHANCERY COURT ☐ COUNTY COURT
OF [________________________________] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
| Plaintiff(s): | [________________________________] |
| v. | |
| Defendant(s): | [________________________________] |
| Civil Action No.: | [________________________________] (Assigned by Clerk) |
SECTION III: PLAINTIFF INFORMATION
Primary Plaintiff
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | [________________________________] |
| Street Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] |
| Telephone | [________________________________] |
| Email Address | [________________________________] |
Additional Plaintiffs
☐ Additional plaintiff(s) listed on attached addendum
| Additional Plaintiff Name | Address |
|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
Total Number of Plaintiffs: [____]
SECTION IV: DEFENDANT INFORMATION
Primary Defendant
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | [________________________________] |
| Street Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] |
| Telephone (if known) | [________________________________] |
| Email Address (if known) | [________________________________] |
Additional Defendants
☐ Additional defendant(s) listed on attached addendum
| Additional Defendant Name | Address |
|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
Total Number of Defendants: [____]
SECTION V: ATTORNEY / PRO SE PARTY INFORMATION
Filing Attorney
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Attorney Name | [________________________________] |
| Mississippi State Bar No. | MSB [________________________________] |
| Law Firm | [________________________________] |
| Street Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] |
| Telephone | [________________________________] |
| Facsimile | [________________________________] |
| Email Address | [________________________________] |
Pro Se Designation
☐ Filing party is self-represented (Pro Se)
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Pro Se Party Name | [________________________________] |
| Street Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] |
| Telephone | [________________________________] |
| Email Address | [________________________________] |
SECTION VI: NATURE OF SUIT / CASE TYPE
Instructions: Check ONE primary case type that best describes the principal nature of suit. These codes track the Mississippi AOC uniform case-type codes. If the case involves multiple claims, select the category of the primary or predominant claim.
A. DOMESTIC RELATIONS (Chancery Court Jurisdiction)
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| DR-01 | Child Custody / Visitation | ☐ |
| DR-02 | Child Support | ☐ |
| DR-03 | Contempt (Domestic) | ☐ |
| DR-04 | Divorce: Fault Grounds | ☐ |
| DR-05 | Divorce: Irreconcilable Differences | ☐ |
| DR-06 | Domestic Abuse Protection | ☐ |
| DR-07 | Emancipation of Minor | ☐ |
| DR-08 | Modification of Prior Order | ☐ |
| DR-09 | Paternity | ☐ |
| DR-10 | Property Division | ☐ |
| DR-11 | Separate Maintenance | ☐ |
| DR-12 | Termination of Parental Rights (Chancery) | ☐ |
| DR-13 | UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) | ☐ |
| DR-14 | Adoption | ☐ |
| DR-15 | Other Domestic Relations: [________________________________] | ☐ |
B. ESTATES AND TRUSTS (Chancery Court Jurisdiction)
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| ET-01 | Conservatorship | ☐ |
| ET-02 | Guardianship | ☐ |
| ET-03 | Heirship Determination | ☐ |
| ET-04 | Intestate Estate Administration | ☐ |
| ET-05 | Minor's Settlement | ☐ |
| ET-06 | Muniment of Title | ☐ |
| ET-07 | Name Change | ☐ |
| ET-08 | Power of Attorney | ☐ |
| ET-09 | Testate Estate (Probate of Will) | ☐ |
| ET-10 | Trust Administration / Dispute | ☐ |
| ET-11 | Will Contest | ☐ |
| ET-12 | Other Estates/Trusts: [________________________________] | ☐ |
C. BUSINESS / COMMERCIAL
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| BC-01 | Accounting | ☐ |
| BC-02 | Bankruptcy-Related Proceeding | ☐ |
| BC-03 | Business Dissolution - Corporation | ☐ |
| BC-04 | Business Dissolution - Partnership/LLC | ☐ |
| BC-05 | Debt Collection | ☐ |
| BC-06 | Employment Dispute (Discrimination, Wage, FLSA) | ☐ |
| BC-07 | Examination of Debtor (Judgment Debtor) | ☐ |
| BC-08 | Execution on Judgment | ☐ |
| BC-09 | Foreign Judgment Domestication | ☐ |
| BC-10 | Garnishment | ☐ |
| BC-11 | Pension / ERISA | ☐ |
| BC-12 | Receivership | ☐ |
| BC-13 | Replevin | ☐ |
| BC-14 | Stockholder Suit / Derivative Action | ☐ |
| BC-15 | Other Business/Commercial: [________________________________] | ☐ |
D. CONTRACT
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| CT-01 | Breach of Contract (General) | ☐ |
| CT-02 | Installment Contract / Sales | ☐ |
| CT-03 | Insurance Contract Dispute | ☐ |
| CT-04 | Product Liability (Contract Theory) | ☐ |
| CT-05 | Specific Performance | ☐ |
| CT-06 | Account and Demand | ☐ |
| CT-07 | Other Contract: [________________________________] | ☐ |
E. REAL PROPERTY
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| RP-01 | Adverse Possession | ☐ |
| RP-02 | Boundary / Easement Dispute | ☐ |
| RP-03 | Ejectment | ☐ |
| RP-04 | Eminent Domain / Condemnation | ☐ |
| RP-05 | Eviction / Unlawful Detainer | ☐ |
| RP-06 | Judicial Foreclosure | ☐ |
| RP-07 | Lien Assertion / Enforcement | ☐ |
| RP-08 | Partition | ☐ |
| RP-09 | Quiet Title | ☐ |
| RP-10 | Tax Sale Challenge | ☐ |
| RP-11 | Other Real Property: [________________________________] | ☐ |
F. TORTS
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| TT-01 | Bad Faith (Insurance) | ☐ |
| TT-02 | Fraud / Misrepresentation | ☐ |
| TT-03 | Intentional Tort (Assault, Battery, etc.) | ☐ |
| TT-04 | Loss of Consortium | ☐ |
| TT-05 | Medical Malpractice | ☐ |
| TT-06 | Legal Malpractice | ☐ |
| TT-07 | Other Professional Negligence | ☐ |
| TT-08 | Mass Tort / Multi-District Litigation | ☐ |
| TT-09 | General Negligence | ☐ |
| TT-10 | Motor Vehicle Accident | ☐ |
| TT-11 | Premises Liability | ☐ |
| TT-12 | Product Liability (Tort Theory) | ☐ |
| TT-13 | Wrongful Death | ☐ |
| TT-14 | Wrongful Termination / Discharge | ☐ |
| TT-15 | Other Tort: [________________________________] | ☐ |
G. STATUTES / RULES
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| SR-01 | Bond Validation | ☐ |
| SR-02 | Civil Forfeiture | ☐ |
| SR-03 | Civil Rights (State Law) | ☐ |
| SR-04 | Declaratory Judgment | ☐ |
| SR-05 | ERISA | ☐ |
| SR-06 | Extraordinary Writ (Mandamus, Prohibition, etc.) | ☐ |
| SR-07 | Federal Statute (Filed in State Court) | ☐ |
| SR-08 | Injunction / Temporary Restraining Order | ☐ |
| SR-09 | Workers' Compensation | ☐ |
| SR-10 | Zoning / Land Use | ☐ |
| SR-11 | Other Statutory Action: [________________________________] | ☐ |
H. APPEALS
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| AP-01 | Administrative Agency Appeal | ☐ |
| AP-02 | County Court Appeal | ☐ |
| AP-03 | Hardship Petition for Driver License | ☐ |
| AP-04 | Justice Court Appeal | ☐ |
| AP-05 | Municipal Court Appeal | ☐ |
| AP-06 | Election Contest | ☐ |
| AP-07 | Other Appeal: [________________________________] | ☐ |
I. OTHER CIVIL
| Code | Case Type | Select |
|---|---|---|
| OC-01 | Commitment | ☐ |
| OC-02 | Habeas Corpus | ☐ |
| OC-03 | Subrogation | ☐ |
| OC-04 | Other Civil (Specify): [________________________________] | ☐ |
SECTION VII: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY
Monetary Damages Sought (exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees):
| Range | Select |
|---|---|
| $0 - $200 (Justice Court jurisdiction; see Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9) | ☐ |
| $201 - $3,500 (Justice Court concurrent jurisdiction) | ☐ |
| $3,501 - $200,000 (County Court concurrent jurisdiction, where established; see Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-21) | ☐ |
| Over $200,000 (Circuit Court exclusive original jurisdiction) | ☐ |
| Non-monetary / Equitable Relief Only | ☐ |
| Amount Not Yet Determined | ☐ |
Specific Amount Claimed (if determinable): $ [________________________________]
Description of Non-Monetary Relief Sought (if applicable):
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
SECTION VIII: JURY DEMAND
☐ Jury trial demanded pursuant to Miss. R. Civ. P. 38
☐ Non-jury / Bench trial requested
☐ Jury demand to be filed separately
Note: Under Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 38(b), a party may demand a jury trial by serving upon the other parties a written demand therefor at any time after commencement of the action and not later than ten (10) days after service of the last pleading directed to such issue. Failure to timely demand may constitute a waiver of the right to jury trial under Rule 38(d).
SECTION IX: RELATED OR COMPANION CASES
☐ There are NO related or companion cases pending in any Mississippi court.
☐ The following related or companion cases are pending:
| Case Number | Court | County | Judge (if known) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
☐ Prior or pending appeals: [________________________________]
SECTION X: CLASS ACTION DESIGNATION
☐ This action IS filed as a class action under Miss. R. Civ. P. 23.
☐ This action is NOT filed as a class action.
If class action, estimated class size: [________________________________]
SECTION XI: SERVICE AND PROCESS INFORMATION
Method of Service Requested (per Miss. R. Civ. P. 4):
| Method | Select |
|---|---|
| Personal service by sheriff/process server (Rule 4(d)(1)) | ☐ |
| Certified mail, return receipt requested (Rule 4(c)(3)) | ☐ |
| Service by publication (Rule 4(c)(4)) | ☐ |
| Waiver of service requested (Rule 4(d)) | ☐ |
| Long-arm service on out-of-state defendant (Miss. Code Ann. § 13-3-57) | ☐ |
| Other method: [________________________________] | ☐ |
Primary Service Address(es) for Each Defendant:
| Defendant Name | Service Address |
|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
Special Service Instructions: [________________________________]
Interpreter or Accommodation Required:
☐ No ☐ Yes - Language: [________________________________]
☐ ADA Accommodation Required: [________________________________]
SECTION XII: FILING FEE INFORMATION
Note: Filing fees vary by court type and county. The following represents the standard state-mandated fees under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13 (Circuit Court) and § 25-7-9 (Chancery Court). Contact the clerk of court for the total deposit amount required.
Standard Circuit Court Filing Fees:
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base filing / docketing fee (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13) | $85.00 |
| Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund | $10.00 |
| Judicial System Operation Fund | $40.00 |
| Civil Legal Assistance Fund | $5.00 |
| Estimated Total (excluding local costs deposit) | $140.00 |
Method of Fee Payment:
☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Cash (if accepted by clerk) ☐ Credit/Debit Card (if accepted)
Fee Waiver / In Forma Pauperis:
☐ Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis filed pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 11-53-17
SECTION XIII: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Basis of Venue (check all that apply):
| Basis | Select |
|---|---|
| Defendant resides in this county (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-11-3) | ☐ |
| Cause of action arose in this county | ☐ |
| Contract was to be performed in this county | ☐ |
| Property at issue is located in this county | ☐ |
| Defendant corporation's principal place of business in this county | ☐ |
| Other statutory basis: [________________________________] | ☐ |
Demand for Mediation:
☐ Mediation requested ☐ Mediation not requested at this time
Business Court Designation (where available):
☐ Business court assignment requested under applicable local rules
Confidentiality / Sealed Filing:
☐ Motion to seal or for confidential treatment filed contemporaneously
☐ Case involves minor(s) - confidentiality protections apply
SECTION XIV: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE
I, the undersigned, certify that the information provided on this cover sheet is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this cover sheet is required by order of the Mississippi Supreme Court dated October 25, 2000, and that it is used for case management and statistical purposes only. I further understand that this cover sheet does not replace or supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law or court rules.
Attorney / Pro Se Signature:
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Signature | ____________________________________________ |
| Printed Name | [________________________________] |
| Mississippi State Bar No. | MSB [________________________________] (or "Pro Se" if self-represented) |
| Attorney for | ☐ Plaintiff(s) ☐ Defendant(s) |
| Date | [__/__/____] |
| Firm | [________________________________] |
| Address | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | |
| Telephone | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] |
SECTION XV: CLERK'S USE ONLY
(This section is completed by the Clerk of Court upon filing.)
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Date Filed | [__/__/____] |
| Civil Action Number Assigned | [________________________________] |
| Filing Fee Received | $ [________________________________] |
| Receipt Number | [________________________________] |
| Judge Assigned | [________________________________] |
| Clerk's Initials | [________________________________] |
PRACTICE NOTES FOR MISSISSIPPI PRACTITIONERS
Court Jurisdiction Guide
| Court | Jurisdiction | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | General civil jurisdiction; actions exceeding $200 in principal; all matters not exclusively cognizable in another court | Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-81 |
| Chancery Court | Equity jurisdiction; domestic relations; estates, trusts and guardianships; property matters; specific contract enforcement | Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-81 |
| County Court | Concurrent jurisdiction with circuit and chancery courts in civil matters up to $200,000 (where county courts are established) | Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-21 |
| Justice Court | Civil jurisdiction for claims not exceeding $3,500 | Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9 |
Key Filing Reminders
-
Cover Sheet Mandatory: The Mississippi Supreme Court requires this cover sheet with every initial civil filing. Filing without it may result in stayed proceedings or dismissal upon proper notice.
-
Conventional Filing Required for New Cases: Initial complaints and this cover sheet must be filed in hard copy (mail or in-person). Electronic filing through MEC is available only for subsequent filings after case initiation.
-
Second Cover Sheet at Disposition: A completed cover sheet must also be filed at final disposition of the case for statistical tracking purposes.
-
Cost Deposit: A cost deposit must accompany the complaint at filing. The amount is established by local court rule approved by the Mississippi Supreme Court. Contact the clerk for the applicable amount.
-
Local Rule Variations: Individual counties and judicial districts may have additional requirements in an Addendum to the Civil Cover Sheet. Verify local rules with the appropriate clerk before filing.
-
Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC): All 82 Mississippi counties now utilize the MEC system for electronic filing. Registered attorneys must file subsequent documents electronically per MEC Administrative Procedures. Registration information is available at courts.ms.gov/mec.
-
Service of Process: Under Miss. R. Civ. P. 4, the summons and complaint must be served within 120 days of filing. Failure to effect timely service may result in dismissal without prejudice under Rule 4(h).
-
Venue Considerations: Mississippi venue statutes (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-11-3 et seq.) require filing in the county where the defendant resides, or where the cause of action arose, or as otherwise specified by statute for particular case types.
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
- Mississippi Judiciary - Official Website
- Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure (PDF)
- Uniform Civil Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice (PDF)
- Mississippi Civil Case Filing Form (AOC/01) (PDF)
- Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) - Forms and Filing Events
- MEC General Information
- Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-81 - Circuit Court Jurisdiction
- Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-81 - Chancery Court Jurisdiction
- Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-21 - County Court Jurisdiction
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13 - Circuit Court Clerk Fees
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 - Chancery Court Clerk Fees
- Mississippi Bar - Understanding the Court System
- Mississippi Trial Courts Information
About This Template
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: February 2026