General Civil Case Cover Sheet

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET

STATE OF INDIANA — CIRCUIT, SUPERIOR, AND COUNTY COURTS

Filing Requirement Notice: This Civil Case Cover Sheet should accompany every new civil complaint or petition filed in an Indiana trial court (Circuit Court, Superior Court, or County Court). The cover sheet assists the Clerk in assigning the correct case-type code under Indiana Administrative Rule 8, assessing statutory fees under IC 33-37, and ensuring compliance with data collection requirements. Indiana has 92 counties, and e-filing through the Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS) is mandatory statewide for represented parties under Administrative Rule 16.

I. COURT AND CASE IDENTIFICATION

II. CASE CAPTION

IN THE [________________________________] COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY, INDIANA

Cause No. _________________________ (To be assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________],
Defendant(s).

III. FILER IDENTITY

IV. PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached schedule

B. Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached schedule

Confidentiality Note (Admin. Rule 9): Do not include Social Security numbers, full financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors, or any information restricted by Administrative Rule 9(G) on this cover sheet or any publicly filed document.

V. ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT INFORMATION

A. Attorney for Filing Party

B. Attorney for Opposing Party (if known)

C. Self-Represented Litigant

☐ Filing party is self-represented (pro se)

If self-represented, insert "Self-Represented" in the Attorney column of the case management system.

VI. CASE TYPE CODE (Indiana Administrative Rule 8)

Under Administrative Rule 8, all Indiana trial courts use a uniform case numbering system. The case type code is a two-letter designation that determines docketing, fee assessment, and statistical reporting. Select the single most appropriate case type code:

Tort

Contract / Commercial

Real Property / Landlord-Tenant

Domestic Relations

Protection Orders

Probate / Estate

Mental Health

Miscellaneous

Note: This is a condensed list of the most frequently used civil case type codes. For the complete Indiana Case Type Quick Reference Guide, visit https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/casetype-quick-reference.pdf. If no listed code fits, use "MI" (Miscellaneous Civil) and describe the nature of the action.

Selected Case Type Code: [____]

VII. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

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

$[________________________________]

☐ Amount exceeds $10,000 (Circuit/Superior Court jurisdiction)
☐ Amount is $10,000 or less (Small Claims jurisdiction available — IC 33-34-3-2)
☐ Non-monetary relief only
☐ Amount unspecified (unliquidated damages)

VIII. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial demanded pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 38
☐ No jury demand at this time

Indiana Jury Demand Rules:

• Under T.R. 38(B), a party may demand a jury trial by serving a written demand on all other parties no later than 10 days after the first responsive pleading is due or within the time set for a responsive pleading by court order.
• The demand must specify the issues to be tried by jury.
• Failure to make a timely demand constitutes a waiver of the right to jury trial (T.R. 38(D)), unless the court grants relief under T.R. 39(B).
• Indiana Constitution, Article 1, Section 20 guarantees the right to trial by jury in civil cases.
• There is no separate jury demand fee in Indiana; the jury costs are included in the general civil costs fee.

IX. SERVICE INFORMATION

Indiana Trial Rules 4 through 4.17 govern service of process. Select the intended method for each party:

Service Deadlines and Methods:

• Under T.R. 4(B), if service is not made within one year after filing the complaint, the case is subject to dismissal.
• Certified mail is the most common method (T.R. 4.1(A)(3)) — service is complete when the return receipt is received.
• Sheriff service is available in all 92 counties; fees vary by county.
• Private process server service is permitted under T.R. 4.1(A)(1).
• Service by publication requires a court order and is available only when the defendant's whereabouts are unknown after diligent search (T.R. 4.13).

X. RELATED AND COMPANION CASES

1. Are there prior or pending cases involving the same parties or related claims?

☐ No
☐ Yes — provide details:

2. Are there associated protective order, criminal, or juvenile matters related to this civil action?

☐ No
☐ Yes — describe: [________________________________]

XI. FILING FEES

Filing fees for Indiana trial courts are established by IC 33-37 and are subject to legislative change. Fees are uniform statewide.

Civil Filing Fee Schedule:

Total Estimated Filing Cost (typical complaint):

Important: Verify current fee amounts with the Clerk of the Court in the filing county. Fee amounts are established by statute and may be adjusted by the Legislature. Some counties assess additional local fees. If filing a fee waiver (pauper) petition, use Form 31-A or the local equivalent (IC 33-37-3-2).

☐ Filing fee tendered: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee Waiver Petition filed (IC 33-37-3-2)

XII. ELECTRONIC FILING — INDIANA E-FILING SYSTEM (IEFS)

Indiana has implemented statewide mandatory e-filing through the Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS), operated by the Indiana Office of Court Technology under Administrative Rule 16.

E-Filing Requirements:

• Attorneys: Electronic filing is mandatory for all attorneys in all Indiana trial courts under Admin. Rule 16.
• Pro Se Litigants: May file electronically or in paper at the Clerk's Office.
• Document Format: PDF; comply with formatting requirements under Admin. Rule 16.
• Envelope Order: Many Indiana counties require documents to be uploaded in a specific order within the e-filing envelope. Confirm local protocol, especially for motions, protective orders, and documents under Admin. Rule 9(G).
• Cover Sheet: Upload this Cover Sheet as a separate document within the e-filing envelope.
• Service: Electronic service through IEFS is available and encouraged for registered users.

IEFS Portal: https://efiling.courts.in.gov
Indiana Courts E-Filing Information: https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/

☐ Filing submitted electronically via IEFS
☐ Filing submitted in paper at the Clerk's Office (pro se)

XIII. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that:

1. The information contained in this Cover Sheet is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief;
2. This filing complies with the provisions of Trial Rule 5(G) regarding exclusion of confidential information and Administrative Rule 9 regarding restricted access information;
3. I have tendered the correct filing fee or filed a proper fee waiver petition under IC 33-37-3-2; and
4. A copy of this Cover Sheet will be served on all parties contemporaneously with the initial pleading.

XIV. CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY

XV. PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Court Selection

1. Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction in each of Indiana's 92 counties (IC 33-28-1-2). Every county has at least one Circuit Court.
2. Superior Court is available in most counties and has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for civil matters (IC 33-29-1-1.5).
3. Small Claims Courts handle disputes where the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000 (IC 33-34-3-2). Attorneys may represent parties in small claims.
4. Commercial Courts are available in designated counties (e.g., Marion County) for complex business disputes. Check the Indiana Supreme Court's Commercial Court designation orders.

Case Numbering (Admin. Rule 8)

5. The Indiana uniform case number consists of four groups: (1) court code (county + court number), (2) year and month of filing, (3) two-letter case type code, and (4) sequential filing number. Example: 49D01-2603-CT-000123.
6. The case type code is critical for proper docketing. Misclassification may result in incorrect fee assessment or routing.

Venue

7. Venue is generally proper in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action arose, or where the real property at issue is located (T.R. 75).
8. A motion for change of venue from the county must be filed within 60 days of the initial filing or 10 days after the opposing party's first appearance, whichever is later (T.R. 76).
9. A motion for change of judge (change of venue from the judge) must be filed within 30 days of the first hearing or 30 days after the issues are first closed on the merits, whichever occurs first (T.R. 76).

Medical Malpractice

10. Indiana has a Medical Malpractice Act (IC 34-18) that requires proposed complaints to be filed with the Indiana Department of Insurance before filing suit in court.
11. A medical review panel must render an opinion before the action can proceed in court (IC 34-18-8 et seq.).
12. Damages in medical malpractice cases are capped at $1,800,000 for acts occurring on or after July 1, 2019 (IC 34-18-14-3).
13. The qualifying health care provider pays the first $500,000; the Indiana Patient's Compensation Fund covers amounts above $500,000 up to the cap.

Statute of Limitations

14. General personal injury: 2 years (IC 34-11-2-4)
15. Contract: 6 years for written contracts, 6 years for oral contracts (IC 34-11-2-7; IC 34-11-2-9)
16. Property damage: 2 years (IC 34-11-2-4)
17. Medical malpractice: 2 years from the act, omission, or neglect (IC 34-18-7-1)

Service Notes

18. Indiana Trial Rules 4 through 4.17 provide detailed service requirements. The most common methods are personal service, service at dwelling, and certified mail.
19. Service by certified mail is considered "complete" when the return receipt is received by the Clerk showing delivery or refusal (T.R. 4.1(A)(3)).
20. Failure to effect service within one year of filing may result in dismissal (T.R. 4(B)).

XVI. FILING CHECKLIST

☐ Civil Complaint / Petition (separate pleading document)
☐ Appearance Form (Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure, Form #49)
☐ Summons(es) — one for each defendant
☐ This Civil Case Cover Sheet (completed in full)
☐ Filing Fee or Fee Waiver Petition (Form 31-A or local equivalent)
☐ Proposed Order (if required by local rule)
☐ Confidential Information Sheet (if applicable under Admin. Rule 9(G))
☐ Medical Malpractice — Department of Insurance filing (if applicable, IC 34-18)
☐ Affidavit of Debt (for collection cases, if required)

Sources and References

• 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 Rules: https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/trial/index.htm
• Indiana Administrative Rules: https://www.in.gov/courts/rules/admin/
• IC 33-37 (Court Fees): https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-33/article-37/
• Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS): https://efiling.courts.in.gov
• Case Initiation & Filings Guide (Updated 1/1/2026): https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/pubs-trial-court-initiating-case.pdf
• IC 34-18 (Indiana Medical Malpractice Act): https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-34/article-18/
• IC 33-37-3-2 (Fee Waiver): https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-33/article-37/chapter-3/section-33-37-3-2/
• Indiana Office of Court Services: https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/

This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all case type codes, filing fees, statutory citations, and procedural requirements against current Indiana law, Supreme Court orders, and local court rules before filing. Fee amounts and case type codes are subject to change by legislative action or Supreme Court administrative order.