Civil Actions Branch
Hours of Operation
Mondays-Fridays: 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. (For filings only)
Location
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room JM-170
Washington, D.C. 20001
Main Contact
Derrick Monroe, Branch Chief
Phone: (202) 879-1143
Information: (202) 879-1133
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The Civil Actions Branch has jurisdiction over civil actions
for more than $5,000 in damages brought in the District of
Columbia, except where the federal court has exclusive jurisdiction.
The Civil Actions Branch is commonly referred to as the Civil
Clerk's Office.
View Civil Cases Online
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Filing Information
The filing party must provide the clerk with:
- An original complaint that includes the name and address
of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s);
- One copy of the original complaint for each defendant
listed on the complaint; and
- A summons for each named defendant. Please note that all
filing fees must be paid by cash, money order, or cashier's
check. Money orders or cashier's checks should be made payable
to: "Clerk, D.C. Superior Court." (Only members of the D.C. Bar may pay filing fees by personal check. Bar members should include the Bar number on the complaint. The Bar number and case number should appear on subsequent pleadings.)
The complaint and subsequent papers must be on white 8-1/2
x 11 paper. "D.C. Superior Court" must be indicated
across the top of the first page. Pro se parties (parties
representing themselves in court proceedings without the assistance
of an attorney) must sign the complaint and include their
address and telephone number. A handwritten signature must
be provided. A name affixed by a rubber stamp is not acceptable
as a signature. Bar members should include the Bar number on the complaint. The Bar number and case number should appear on subsequent pleadings.
Discovery pleadings are not filed with the court unless the
court so orders.
eFiling
To find out about filing on-line, click here.
Filing Fees
|
Civil Actions
|
Small Claims |
Landlord &Tenant |
Filing a Complaint
|
$120* |
$5-45 |
$15 |
Jury Demand |
- |
$75 |
$75 |
Filing a Motion |
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Motion to Reinstate after dismissal under Rule 41-I |
$35 |
- |
- |
Writ of Attachment |
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Writ of Fieri Facias |
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Writ of Restitution |
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Triplicate Certificateof Judgment |
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Alias Summons |
$10 |
$5 |
$5 |
Notice of Appeal |
$100 |
$10 |
$100 |
Certified Copy |
$5 |
$5 |
$5 |
*Requests for issuance of additional summonses are $10.00 each. Additional summonses are needed when requests are made for service upon multiple defendants and upon a defendant/defendants at more than one address and when bringing suit against the District of Columbia or the Mayor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of cases are filed in the Civil Clerks
Office and what are the filing fees?
Civil law suits where the monetary amount exceeds
$5,000 and cases where parties are requesting equitable relief
(e.g. temporary restraining order or injunctive relief) are
filed in the Civil Clerk's Office, Room JM-170 in the
Moultrie Courthouse. The filing fee for a new complaint is
$120.
Temporary Restraining Order |
$160 |
Petition to Change Name |
$60 |
Petition to Amend Birth Certificate |
$60 |
Merit Personnel Action |
$60 |
Fees are payable by cash, certified check, or money
order, made payable to: Clerk, D.C. Superior Court. These
fees are subject to change. (Only D.C. Bar members may pay
filing fees by personal check).
2. How is service made upon the defendant, i.e. how
do we notify the defendant that he or she is being sued?
The plaintiff is responsible for service of process
upon the defendant, by the following methods:
- Special process server-someone over eighteen years
of age and not involved in the case.
- Certified or registered mail-with a return receipt
from the U.S. Postal Service.
- First-class mail-regular mail with an acknowledgment
form enclosed for the defendant to sign and return to the
court.
3. What is the current interest rate on judgments?
The interest rate on judgments is four percent (4%) for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2009 (D.C. Code §28-3302(c)). Pursuant to D.C. Code §28-3302(b), this rate does not apply to judgments against the District of Columbia or its employees acting within the scope of their employment. In such situations the judgment interest rate remains 4%. The new interest rate is for post judgments only. The pre-judgment interest rate remains 6% in the absence of an expressed contract specifying otherwise, pursuant to D.C. Code §28-3302 (a).
4. How many copies of a summons do I need?
An original summons (front & back page), and two copies are needed for each defendant who is to be served. The original and the two copies are to be presented at the time the complaint is filed or when an alias summons is being issued.
General Order and Judges' Supplements
Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure [847k]
Historical Interest Rates on Judgments [22k]
Civil Actions Information
Handbook [47k]
List of Legal Service Providers [33k]
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