Rule 3 Commencement of Civil Action

To start a civil case in justice court, you need to file a complaint. This is the official document that tells the court what your case is about and what you're asking for.

When you file the complaint, you also have to fill out a civil cover sheet. This is a separate form that gives the court basic details about your case, like what type of dispute it is. The state court administrator approves the design of this form, and you or your representative must sign it.

If you forget to include the cover sheet, the court can reject your filing. This means your case won't officially start until you fix the problem and submit both documents together. It's a simple step, but skipping it can delay your case before it even begins.