General Civil Case Cover Sheet

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA — DISTRICT COURTS

Filing Requirement Notice: This Civil Case Cover Sheet should accompany every new civil action filed in a North Dakota District Court. The cover sheet assists the Clerk in assessing the correct filing fee under NDCC 27-05.2-03, assigning a case type code for statistical reporting, and routing the case for case management and scheduling purposes. North Dakota has a unified court system with District Courts serving as the trial courts of general jurisdiction across all 53 counties, organized into eight judicial districts.

I. COURT AND CASE IDENTIFICATION

North Dakota Judicial Districts:

• Northwest Judicial District — Burke, Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward, Williams Counties
• Northeast Judicial District — Benson, Bottineau, Cavalier, McHenry, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Renville, Rolette, Towner, Walsh Counties
• Northeast Central Judicial District — Grand Forks, Nelson Counties
• East Central Judicial District — Cass, Traill Counties
• Southeast Judicial District — Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman Counties
• South Central Judicial District — Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux Counties
• Southwest Judicial District — Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark Counties
• Northwest Judicial District (additional) — see current court directory

II. CASE CAPTION

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA                    )    IN DISTRICT COURT
                                          )
COUNTY OF [______________________]        )    [______________] JUDICIAL DISTRICT
                                          )
[________________________________],       )
               Plaintiff(s),             )    Case No. _______________
                                          )    (To be assigned by Clerk)
     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

V. ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT INFORMATION

A. Lead Counsel for Filing Party

B. Counsel for Opposing Party (if known)

C. Self-Represented Litigant (Pro Se)

☐ Filing party is self-represented

VI. CASE TYPE CLASSIFICATION

Select ONE primary category and ONE sub-category. These codes are used for court statistical reporting, docketing, and fee assessment.

A. TORT

☐ A1 — Personal Injury — Motor Vehicle
☐ A2 — Personal Injury — Premises Liability
☐ A3 — Personal Injury — Other
☐ A4 — Wrongful Death (NDCC 32-21-01 et seq.)
☐ A5 — Medical Malpractice (NDCC 32-29.2)
☐ A6 — Other Professional Malpractice (Legal, Accounting, etc.)
☐ A7 — Product Liability (NDCC 28-01.3)
☐ A8 — Property Damage
☐ A9 — Defamation / Invasion of Privacy
☐ A10 — Intentional Tort (Assault, Battery, False Imprisonment, etc.)
☐ A11 — Other Tort (specify): [________________________________]

B. CONTRACT / COMMERCIAL

☐ B1 — Breach of Contract — Goods / Services (Buyer Plaintiff)
☐ B2 — Breach of Contract — Goods / Services (Seller Plaintiff)
☐ B3 — Consumer Credit / Debt Collection (NDCC 13-01 et seq.)
☐ B4 — Employment — Contract / Non-Compete / Wage Claim (NDCC 34-14)
☐ B5 — Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith (NDCC 26.1)
☐ B6 — Uniform Commercial Code (NDCC Title 41)
☐ B7 — Other Contract (specify): [________________________________]

C. REAL PROPERTY

☐ C1 — Foreclosure — Judicial (NDCC 32-19)
☐ C2 — Quiet Title / Title Dispute (NDCC 32-17)
☐ C3 — Boundary / Easement Dispute
☐ C4 — Landlord-Tenant — Residential (NDCC 47-16)
☐ C5 — Landlord-Tenant — Commercial
☐ C6 — Eminent Domain / Condemnation (NDCC 32-15)
☐ C7 — Partition (NDCC 32-16.1)
☐ C8 — Other Real Property (specify): [________________________________]

D. CIVIL RIGHTS / EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

☐ D1 — Employment Discrimination (NDCC 14-02.4 — North Dakota Human Rights Act)
☐ D2 — Housing Discrimination
☐ D3 — Public Accommodation Discrimination
☐ D4 — Federal Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. Section 1983)
☐ D5 — Other Civil Rights (specify): [________________________________]

E. FAMILY LAW

☐ E1 — Divorce — Uncontested (NDCC 14-05)
☐ E2 — Divorce — Contested (NDCC 14-05)
☐ E3 — Child Custody / Parenting Time (NDCC 14-09)
☐ E4 — Child Support (NDCC 14-09)
☐ E5 — Adoption (NDCC 14-15)
☐ E6 — Guardianship / Conservatorship (NDCC 30.1-28 et seq.)
☐ E7 — Domestic Violence Protection Order (NDCC 14-07.1)
☐ E8 — Paternity (NDCC 14-20)
☐ E9 — Name Change (NDCC 32-28)
☐ E10 — Other Family (specify): [________________________________]

F. PROBATE / TRUST / ESTATE

☐ F1 — Formal Probate (NDCC 30.1-14)
☐ F2 — Informal Probate (NDCC 30.1-12)
☐ F3 — Trust Dispute (NDCC 59-09)
☐ F4 — Estate Administration
☐ F5 — Will Contest
☐ F6 — Other Probate (specify): [________________________________]

G. OTHER STATUTORY / SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

☐ G1 — Administrative Agency Appeal (NDCC 28-32)
☐ G2 — Declaratory Judgment (NDCC 32-23)
☐ G3 — Foreign Judgment Domestication (NDCC 28-20.1)
☐ G4 — Post-Judgment — Garnishment / Execution (NDCC 28-21 et seq.)
☐ G5 — Election Contest / Ballot Issue (NDCC 16.1-16)
☐ G6 — Extraordinary Writ (Mandamus, Prohibition, Habeas Corpus)
☐ G7 — Injunction
☐ G8 — Other (specify): [________________________________]

VII. MANNER OF FILING

☐ Original filing — new civil action
☐ Reopened case — post-judgment proceedings
☐ Transferred from another court (Case No.: [________________________________])
☐ Remanded from Supreme Court (Case No.: [________________________________])

VIII. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

A. Monetary Damages Sought

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

$[________________________________]

B. Amount Classification

☐ $15,000 or less (Small Claims Court jurisdiction under NDCC 27-08.1 — if eligible)
☐ More than $15,000
☐ Non-monetary relief only
☐ Amount unspecified (unliquidated damages)

IX. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial demanded pursuant to N.D.R.Civ.P. 38
☐ No jury trial demanded at this time

North Dakota Jury Demand Rules:

• Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 38(b), a party may demand a jury trial by serving a written demand on all other parties no later than 14 days after the last pleading directed to the issue is served.
• The demand must specify the issues to be tried by jury. If no specification is made, the demand is deemed to cover all issues triable by jury.
• Failure to serve a timely demand constitutes a waiver, unless the court orders otherwise under N.D.R.Civ.P. 38(d).
• North Dakota Constitution, Article I, Section 13 guarantees the right to jury trial in civil cases.
• A jury fee is required at the time of demand — verify current amount with the Clerk.

X. SERVICE INFORMATION

Service Deadline: Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(i), if service is not made within 90 days after the filing of the complaint, the court must dismiss the action without prejudice or order that service be made within a specified time.

XI. RELATED, COMPANION, OR PRIOR CASES

☐ No related cases
☐ Yes — provide details below:

XII. CASE COMPLEXITY DESIGNATION

☐ Standard — expected to be resolved within standard scheduling order parameters
☐ Complex — requires specialized scheduling (check applicable factors):
☐ Multi-party litigation (more than 5 parties)
☐ Extensive discovery anticipated
☐ Expert testimony on complex scientific or technical issues
☐ Class action or mass tort
☐ Multiple related pending actions
☐ Anticipated trial length exceeding 5 days
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Estimated trial length: [____] days

XIII. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)

Under N.D.R.Ct. 3.4, courts may refer cases to ADR, and parties are encouraged to consider mediation or neutral evaluation early in the litigation.

☐ Parties have discussed mediation or neutral evaluation
☐ Parties will confer and report ADR status at the scheduling conference
☐ Parties request referral to court-annexed mediation
☐ ADR not appropriate for this case (explain): [________________________________]

XIV. FILING FEES

Filing fees for North Dakota District Courts are established by NDCC 27-05.2-03 and are subject to periodic adjustment by legislative action.

North Dakota Court Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2025):

Important: These fees were updated effective July 1, 2025 (SB 2057). Always verify the current fee schedule with the Clerk of Court or at https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/court-fees. Fee waivers are available for indigent parties (NDCC 27-01-07).

☐ Filing fee tendered: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee waiver petition filed (NDCC 27-01-07)

XV. ELECTRONIC FILING INFORMATION

North Dakota uses the Odyssey court case management system. Electronic filing availability varies by judicial district.

E-Filing Status:

• Mandatory E-Filing: Some judicial districts have implemented mandatory e-filing under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 41. Check with the local Clerk of Court.
• Voluntary E-Filing: Where not mandatory, e-filing is available and encouraged.
• Pro Se Litigants: May file in paper at the Clerk's Office in all districts.
• Document Format: PDF; comply with applicable formatting requirements.

North Dakota Courts Website: https://www.ndcourts.gov

☐ Filing submitted electronically
☐ Filing submitted in paper at the Clerk's Office

XVI. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that:

1. The information provided on this Cover Sheet is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief;
2. I have provided all information required by applicable North Dakota statutes, court rules, and administrative orders;
3. I have tendered the correct filing fee or filed a proper fee waiver petition under NDCC 27-01-07; and
4. I understand that misclassification or omission may result in processing delays, reassignment, or sanctions.

XVII. CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY

XVIII. PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Jurisdiction

1. General Jurisdiction: North Dakota District Courts are courts of general jurisdiction with authority over all civil and criminal matters except those assigned exclusively to other courts (NDCC 27-05-06).
2. Small Claims: Small Claims Court has jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000 (NDCC 27-08.1-01). Attorneys may not represent parties in small claims actions.
3. Tribal Court Jurisdiction: For actions involving tribal members or occurring on reservation land, consider whether tribal court has concurrent or exclusive jurisdiction.

Venue

4. General Rule: Venue is proper in the county where the defendant resides at the time the action is commenced (NDCC 28-01-15).
5. Real Property: Actions affecting title to or possession of real property must be brought in the county where the property is located (NDCC 28-01-16).
6. Transitory Actions: Actions for personal injuries, property damage, or breach of contract may be brought where the cause of action arose or where the defendant resides (NDCC 28-01-18).
7. Change of Venue: A motion for change of venue must be filed before the time for answer expires or within 30 days of service (NDCC 28-01-22).

Service of Process

8. 90-Day Rule: Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(i), service must be completed within 90 days of filing. The court must dismiss or order service within a specified time if the deadline is missed.
9. Certified Mail: North Dakota permits service by certified mail, return receipt requested, under N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(d)(6). This is a commonly used and cost-effective method.
10. Secretary of State: Service on out-of-state corporations doing business in North Dakota may be made through the Secretary of State (NDCC 10-19.1-13).

Scheduling and Case Management

11. After filing, expect issuance of a scheduling order under N.D.R.Civ.P. 16 setting deadlines for discovery, motions, and trial.
12. Parties should be prepared to discuss ADR options at the initial scheduling conference (N.D.R.Ct. 3.4).

Medical Malpractice

13. North Dakota requires an expert opinion letter before filing a medical malpractice action (NDCC 32-29.2-01). The opinion letter must be obtained within the applicable statute of limitations.
14. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years from the act or omission, with a discovery rule extending the deadline in certain circumstances (NDCC 28-01-18(3)).

Sources and References

• NDCC 27-05.2-03 (District Court Filing Fees): https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t27c05-2.pdf
• North Dakota Court Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2025): https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/district-courts/Court-Fees.pdf
• North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.ndcourts.gov/rules
• North Dakota Court System — Forms: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/general-use-forms
• North Dakota Court System — Court Fees: https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/court-fees
• North Dakota Court System — Fee Waiver Forms: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver
• NDCC Chapter 28-01 (Civil Actions — General Provisions): https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t28.html
• North Dakota Human Rights Act (NDCC 14-02.4): https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t14c02-4.pdf

This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all statutory citations, filing fees, court rules, and local procedures against current authority before filing. Fees and procedures are subject to change by legislative action or North Dakota Supreme Court order.