Local Rule 3.0: Materials to Accompany a Complaint
D. Vt. — Civil rule
Rule 3. Materials to Accompany a Complaint.
(a) Filing. To institute a civil action, a plaintiff must submit the following to the court:
(1) the original complaint;
(2) the filing fee or a motion and affidavit to proceed in forma pauperis;
(3) a Civil Cover Sheet [form JS 44];
(4) When applicable, a Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service [AO 398 or Fed. R. Civ. P. Form 5] for each defendant;
(5) When applicable, a Waiver of Service of Summons [AO 399 or Fed. R. Civ. P. Form 6] for each defendant.
(b) Waiver of Service. When sent to a defendant, the Notice of Lawsuit and Waiver of Service forms must be accompanied by a means for cost-free return of the forms back to the plaintiff after signing. Executed Waiver of Service of Summons forms must be filed with the Clerk's Office by the plaintiff.
(c) In Forma Pauperis Status. The granting of in forma pauperis status waives the cost of filing and serving the complaint, but not litigation expenses unless provided by statute. A party seeking to proceed in forma pauperis should refer to the Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis available on the court's website.