Rule 3 Commencing an Action

(a) IN GENERAL. The following domestic relations actions are commenced by filing a complaint or counterclaim with the court:

(1) actions for divorce from the bond of marriage and legal separation from bed and board, including proceedings incidental thereto for alimony, temporary and permanent, and for support and custody of minor children;

(2) actions for revocation of divorce from bed and board;

(3) actions seeking custody of minor children, including incidental proceedings for support of the minor children;

(4) actions to declare marriages void;

(5) actions to declare marriages valid;

(6) actions for annulments of marriage; and

(7) determinations and adjudications of property rights, both real and personal, in any action referred to in this rule.

(b) PETITIONS. Proceedings to determine parentage, to appoint a standby guardian, or for a writ of habeas corpus are commenced by filing a petition with the court.

(c) OTHER PROCEEDINGS.

(1) Except as provided by Rule 3(c)(3), a domestic relations action to enforce support of any person may be initiated by either complaint or petition.

(2) Proceedings to modify support or custody under D.C. Code §§ 16-831.11, -914, or -916.01 (2012 Repl.) may be brought by motion in the underlying case, if any, or by complaint.

(3) Proceedings for interstate or reciprocal support or to register an order from another jurisdiction under D.C. Code §§ 46-351.01 to -359.03 and 16-4603.05 (2012 Repl. & 2018 Supp.) are commenced by filing the documentation required by statute.