CIVIL COVER SHEET / CASE INFORMATION WORKSHEET

State of North Dakota — District Court

FORM PURPOSE: This civil cover sheet gathers all information required for filing a new civil action in a North Dakota District Court, including data needed for the Odyssey e-filing system. It mirrors the information fields required by the clerk at case initiation. A completed cover sheet must accompany the complaint or petition at filing.

IMPORTANT: All civil filings in North Dakota District Court must be submitted electronically through the Odyssey e-filing system, unless the filer is a self-represented litigant or incarcerated individual (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).

SECTION 1: COURT DESIGNATION

Judicial District: [________________________________]

North Dakota has seven judicial districts:

County of Filing: [________________________________]

SECTION 2: CASE CAPTION

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
[________________________________] JUDICIAL DISTRICT

________________________________________
[________________________________],
Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner(s),

v. Case No.: ____________________
(Assigned by Clerk)
[________________________________],
Defendant(s)/Respondent(s).
________________________________________

SECTION 3: CASE TYPE / CATEGORY

Select the applicable civil case type. Enter only ONE primary case type code.

A. General Civil

B. Real Property

C. Equity / Injunctive

D. Administrative / Writs

E. Special Proceedings

NOTE: Probate, family, juvenile, small claims, and other specialized proceedings use separate forms and tracks. Do not use this civil cover sheet for those case types.

SECTION 4: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY / RELIEF SOUGHT

A. Monetary Relief

• ☐ Amount in controversy exceeds $15,000
• ☐ Amount in controversy is $15,000 or less
• ☐ Amount in controversy is $15,000 or less (eligible for small claims transfer if $15,000 or less)

Specific amount claimed (exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees):
$[________________________________]

B. Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

• ☐ Injunctive relief sought
• ☐ Declaratory judgment sought
• ☐ Specific performance sought
• ☐ Writ of mandamus / prohibition / habeas corpus
• ☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

C. Punitive Damages

• ☐ Punitive damages claimed (N.D.C.C. § 32-03.2-11)
• ☐ No punitive damages claimed

SECTION 5: JURY DEMAND

• ☐ Jury trial demanded (N.D.R.Civ.P. 38)
• Number of jurors requested: ☐ 6 jurors (standard civil) ☐ 12 jurors
• ☐ Non-jury / bench trial
• ☐ Jury demand to be filed later (must be filed no later than 14 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue, per N.D.R.Civ.P. 38(b))

Jury Demand Fee: Included in the civil filing fee. No separate jury demand fee is required in North Dakota District Court.

SECTION 6: PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

Plaintiff 1:
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]
- City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
- Phone: [________________________________]
- Email: [________________________________]
- Party Type: ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [____]

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]
- City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
- Phone: [________________________________]
- Email: [________________________________]
- Party Type: ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [____]

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached sheet (total number of plaintiffs: [____])

B. Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

Defendant 1:
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]
- City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
- Phone (if known): [________________________________]
- Email (if known): [________________________________]
- Party Type: ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [____]

Defendant 2 (if applicable):
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]
- City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
- Phone (if known): [________________________________]
- Email (if known): [________________________________]
- Party Type: ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [____]

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached sheet (total number of defendants: [____])

SECTION 7: ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY INFORMATION

A. Filing Attorney

• Attorney Name: [________________________________]
• North Dakota Bar ID Number: [________________________________]
• Firm Name: [________________________________]
• Mailing Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Facsimile: [________________________________]
• Email Address: [________________________________]
• Odyssey E-Filing Account Email: [________________________________]
• Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff(s) ☐ Defendant(s) ☐ Other: [________________________________]

B. Self-Represented Party (if applicable)

• ☐ Party is self-represented (pro se)
• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Mailing Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email Address: [________________________________]

NOTE: Self-represented litigants are exempt from the mandatory e-filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).

SECTION 8: RELATED CASES

Are there any related, pending, or previously adjudicated cases involving the same parties or subject matter?

• ☐ No related cases
• ☐ Yes — Provide details below:

Is consolidation or coordination with a related case being sought?
- ☐ Yes — Motion to consolidate to be filed
- ☐ No

SECTION 9: SERVICE OF PROCESS

A. Method of Service Planned

• ☐ Personal service by sheriff (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(c))
• ☐ Personal service by process server (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(c))
• ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(d))
• ☐ Service by publication (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(e)) — requires court approval
• ☐ Waiver of service requested (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(f))
• ☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

B. Service Addresses

Defendant 1 Service Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Defendant 2 Service Address (if applicable):
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Registered Agent (for entity defendants)

• Registered Agent Name: [________________________________]
• Registered Agent Address: [________________________________]
• ND Secretary of State Filing Number: [________________________________]

SECTION 10: FILING FEE INFORMATION

Current Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2025)

Payment

• ☐ Filing fee of $[________] paid by credit/debit card via Odyssey e-filing
• ☐ Filing fee of $[________] paid at the clerk's counter (self-represented / exempt filers)
• ☐ Fee waiver requested (application for waiver attached per N.D.C.C. § 27-01-07)

NOTE: All filing fees paid through the Odyssey e-filing system must be paid by credit or debit card at the time of filing. The e-filing service provider may charge a convenience fee in addition to the statutory filing fee.

SECTION 11: SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

• Interpreter needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
• Language: [________________________________]
• ADA / disability accommodation needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
• Describe accommodation: [________________________________]
• Hearing impairment services needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
• Type of service: ☐ Sign language interpreter ☐ Real-time captioning ☐ Other: [________]

SECTION 12: VENUE CERTIFICATION

I certify that venue is proper in [________________________________] County because (check all that apply):

• ☐ The defendant resides in this county (N.D.C.C. § 28-04-01)
• ☐ The cause of action arose in this county (N.D.C.C. § 28-04-01)
• ☐ The property at issue is located in this county (N.D.C.C. § 28-04-03)
• ☐ The defendant has a principal place of business in this county
• ☐ Other statutory basis for venue: [________________________________]

SECTION 13: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned, certify that the information provided on this civil cover sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that this cover sheet is filed for administrative purposes and does not constitute a pleading.

I further certify that, to the best of my knowledge, this filing is not being presented for any improper purpose, and the claims and legal contentions are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for modification of existing law (N.D.R.Civ.P. 11).

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
Signature

________________________________________
Printed Name

________________________________________
ND Bar ID Number (or "Pro Se")

________________________________________
Firm Name (if applicable)

________________________________________
Address

________________________________________
City, State, ZIP

________________________________________
Telephone

________________________________________
Email Address

SECTION 14: E-FILING INSTRUCTIONS AND CHECKLIST

Odyssey E-Filing System

Portal: https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-courts/e-filing-portal

Pre-Filing Checklist

• ☐ Registered for an Odyssey e-filing account
• ☐ Complaint / petition drafted and finalized
• ☐ Civil cover sheet completed
• ☐ Summons prepared for issuance
• ☐ Filing fee payment method confirmed (credit/debit card)
• ☐ All documents comply with Appendix K formatting requirements:
• ☐ 8.5 x 11 inch paper size
• ☐ Minimum 1-inch margins
• ☐ Minimum 12-point font
• ☐ Black text on white background
• ☐ No headers or footers in the margin area
• ☐ Documents converted to PDF format
• ☐ Confidential information properly redacted (N.D.R.Ct. 3.4)
• ☐ Any required attachments or exhibits included

Filing Steps (Odyssey)

1. Log in to the Odyssey e-filing portal
2. Select "File a New Case"
3. Select the appropriate court (judicial district and county)
4. Enter case type / category from Section 3 above
5. Enter party information from Sections 6-7
6. Upload complaint/petition (PDF)
7. Upload civil cover sheet (PDF)
8. Upload summons for issuance (PDF)
9. Pay filing fee by credit/debit card
10. Submit filing and retain confirmation number

Post-Filing Steps

• ☐ Receive case number assignment from clerk
• ☐ Receive issued summons from clerk
• ☐ Serve complaint and summons on all defendants within required time
• ☐ File proof of service / return of service through Odyssey
• ☐ Monitor case for scheduling orders

SECTION 15: PRACTITIONER NOTES

Venue Rules

• General venue is in the county where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arose (N.D.C.C. § 28-04-01).
• Real property actions must be filed in the county where the property is located (N.D.C.C. § 28-04-03).
• Actions against the state must be filed in Burleigh County (state capital) unless otherwise provided by statute.
• Corporate defendants may be sued where they have a registered office or principal place of business.

Statute of Limitations (Common Civil Actions)

Service of Process Deadlines

• Summons must be served within a reasonable time, but the court may dismiss for failure to prosecute if service is not timely.
• The defendant has 21 days after service to file an answer (N.D.R.Civ.P. 12(a)).
• If service is waived, the defendant has 60 days from the date the waiver request was sent to answer (N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(f)).

Confidential Information

Under N.D.R.Ct. 3.4, the following information must be redacted from all filings:
- Social Security numbers (use last four digits only)
- Financial account numbers (use last four digits only)
- Dates of birth for minors (use year of birth only)
- Names of minor children (use initials only)

Rural District Considerations

Several North Dakota judicial districts serve large rural areas with limited court days. Some single-judge districts may have limited hearing availability. Contact the clerk of court in the specific county to confirm:
- Available hearing dates
- Whether the judge travels a circuit
- Local administrative procedures
- Any local rules supplementing the statewide rules

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• North Dakota Rules of Court: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules
• North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrcivp
• North Dakota Century Code, Title 28 (Judicial Remedies): https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t28.html
• Odyssey E-Filing Portal: https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-courts/e-filing-portal
• Court Fee Schedule (eff. July 1, 2025): https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/court-fees
• General-Use Forms for District Court: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/general-use-forms
• Fee Waiver Information: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws, rules, fees, and procedures change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the North Dakota court system and consult a licensed North Dakota attorney before filing.