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Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form JS 44, Civil Cover Sheet (Rev. 03/24)

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Form JS 44, Civil Cover Sheet (Rev. 03/24), page 1
Moderate · 61/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

The AI fills all of it, from your answers or your documents.

Form JS 44, the Civil Cover Sheet, is a mandatory document used in United States federal district courts to initiate a civil lawsuit. It provides the court with a summary of the case, including details about the parties involved, the legal basis for the court's jurisdiction, the nature of the suit, and the relief sought. This information is crucial for the court's administrative purposes, such as case assignment and statistical reporting. Today this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields137
Pages1
Sections16
Form Complexity IndexModerate, 61/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

13 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Ensures Plaintiff Name is Provided

This validation confirms that the 'PLAINTIFFS' field is not empty. Identifying the plaintiff is the most fundamental requirement for initiating a legal action, as it establishes who is bringing the suit. A failure to provide a plaintiff name would make the form invalid and lead to immediate rejection by the court clerk.

Ensures Defendant Name is Provided

This check verifies that the 'Defendants' field contains at least one name. The defendant must be clearly identified so they can be properly served and notified of the lawsuit against them. Without a named defendant, the case cannot proceed, and the filing will be rejected.

Requires Selection of a Jurisdictional Basis

This validation ensures that one of the options under 'Basis of Jurisdiction' has been selected. The court must have proper jurisdiction to hear a case, and this selection is the filer's assertion of why that jurisdiction exists. A form submitted without this information is incomplete and cannot be processed.

Validates Diversity of Citizenship for Jurisdiction

If 'Diversity' is selected as the basis for jurisdiction, this check confirms the parties are from different states. It cross-references the 'Citizenship of Principal Parties' checkboxes to ensure a plaintiff and defendant are not both marked as citizens of the same state. This is a critical requirement for diversity jurisdiction, and failure to meet it would result in the case being dismissed.

Ensures Mutually Exclusive Citizenship Selection

This validation ensures that for each party (plaintiff and defendant), only one citizenship checkbox is selected. For example, a plaintiff cannot be both 'a citizen of this state' (PTF 1) and 'a corporation incorporated in another state' (PTF 5). This prevents contradictory information and ensures the party's status is clearly and unambiguously defined.

Validates Consistency Between Filing Fee and IFP Status

This check enforces a logical rule between the filing fee fields and the In Forma Pauperis (IFP) application. If the 'APPLYING IFP' box is checked, the 'AMOUNT' and 'RECEIPT' fields should be empty. Conversely, if 'APPLYING IFP' is not checked, the 'AMOUNT' field must contain a valid monetary value.

And 7 more checks
  • Validates Attorney Telephone Number Format
  • Ensures Demand Amount is a Valid Number
  • Validates Form Completion Date
  • Requires Both Statute Citation and Description for Cause of Action
  • Ensures Completeness of Related Case Information
  • Ensures a 'Nature of Suit' is Selected
  • Requires Plaintiff Attorney Contact Information

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How to Fill Out JS 44 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload your JS 44 form or select it from the template library to begin.
  2. Use the AI assistant to accurately enter the full names, counties of residence, and citizenship details for all plaintiffs and defendants.
  3. Provide the firm name, address, and contact information for the attorneys representing the plaintiffs and, if known, the defendants.
  4. Specify the basis for the court's jurisdiction (e.g., Federal Question, Diversity), cite the relevant U.S. Civil Statute for your cause of action, and write a brief description of the cause.
  5. Select the appropriate codes for the 'Nature of Suit' section and indicate other case details, such as whether it is a class action or if a jury demand is being made.
  6. If there are any related cases, provide their docket numbers and judge information. Enter filing fee details or indicate if you are applying to proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP).
  7. Review all the information auto-filled by the AI for accuracy, then electronically sign and date the form to complete the process before filing with the court.

Common Mistakes in Completing JS 44

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Incorrectly Selecting the Basis of Jurisdiction
This form requires the filer to select the legal basis for the court's authority, such as 'Federal Question' or 'Diversity of Citizenship'. Many filers, particularly those without legal training, misunderstand these complex legal concepts and select the wrong option. An incorrect selection can lead to the case being dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, wasting time and filing fees. To avoid this, carefully review the definitions for each jurisdictional basis or consult with legal counsel, and use tools that can provide guidance on these fields.
Citing a Jurisdictional Statute as the Cause of Action
The form explicitly warns, 'Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity,' yet it's a frequent error to list statutes like 28 U.S.C. § 1331 in the 'Cause of Action' field. This field is for the substantive law that creates the legal claim (e.g., 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for a civil rights violation), not the law that gives the court power to hear the case. This mistake shows a misunderstanding of the legal claims and can cause confusion or require amendment. Always cite the specific statute your claim is based on, not the general jurisdictional one.
Mismatched Citizenship and Jurisdictional Basis
A filer might select 'Diversity' as the basis of jurisdiction but then check boxes indicating the plaintiff and defendant are citizens of the same state. This creates a direct contradiction on the face of the form, making the claim for diversity jurisdiction invalid. Court clerks will immediately flag this inconsistency, leading to rejection of the filing. To prevent this, ensure the citizenship information provided in the 'Citizenship of Principal Parties' section directly supports the jurisdictional basis selected.
Providing Incomplete or Incorrect Party Names
Filers sometimes use nicknames, initials, or incomplete business names for plaintiffs and defendants instead of their full, legal names. This can create significant problems for serving process, enforcing judgments, and maintaining a clear court record. An incorrect party name may require filing an amended complaint to fix, causing delays. Always use the complete and official legal name for all individuals and entities involved in the lawsuit.
Confusing County of Residence with Court Location
The form asks for the 'County of Residence' for the plaintiff and defendant, which is critical for determining the proper venue. A common mistake is to enter the county where the courthouse is located or a person's county of work, rather than their actual county of legal residence. This error can lead to challenges over improper venue and potential transfer of the case. Double-check the legal residence of all parties before filling out this section.
Choosing an Inaccurate 'Nature of Suit' Code
The form provides a long list of codes for the 'Nature of Suit,' and filers often pick one that is only generally related to their case instead of the most specific and accurate option. This information is used for statistical tracking and proper case assignment to judges with relevant expertise. While not always a fatal error, a significantly incorrect code can delay case processing or assignment. Carefully read all available options to find the one that best describes the primary cause of action.
Failing to Disclose Known Related Cases
The 'Related Cases' section is frequently overlooked or intentionally left blank. Filers are required to disclose any pending or prior cases that are factually or legally related to the current one. Failing to do so can be viewed as an attempt to 'judge shop' and may result in sanctions from the court or forced consolidation of the cases later. Diligently research and report any related matters, including the docket number and judge, if known.
Missing Signature or Date
An unsigned or undated form is legally invalid and will be rejected by the court clerk, halting the entire filing process. This often happens when filers print a non-fillable PDF, fill it out by hand, and forget to sign before scanning. This simple oversight can cause you to miss a critical statute of limitations deadline. To avoid this, always perform a final check for a signature and date before submission. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can convert flat PDFs into fillable forms, which can include validation checks to ensure these critical fields are not left empty.
Incomplete Attorney Contact Information
The form requires the firm name, address, and telephone number for the attorneys, not just their name. Filers may omit the firm name or provide a P.O. Box instead of a full street address, which can be insufficient for service. Incomplete information hinders communication from the court and opposing counsel, causing unnecessary delays. Ensure all contact details are complete and accurate as per the court's requirements.
Incorrectly Checking the 'Class Action' Box
The 'Class Action' checkbox should only be marked if the lawsuit is being formally filed on behalf of a larger group under specific procedural rules (e.g., FRCP 23). Some filers mistakenly check this box simply because their case involves multiple plaintiffs or defendants, which is incorrect. Improperly designating a case as a class action creates immediate and significant procedural hurdles and will be quickly questioned by the court, requiring clarification and amendment.

Frequently Asked Questions About JS 44

 

Is it really free for 7 days?
Yes. You pay $0 today. Cancel before Nov 5 and you are never charged. Keep it, and it is $19.99 a month for 5 fills of your JS 44.
Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your JS 44: your own AI agent fills it as often as 5 times a month. To fill other forms and upload your own, choose a Professional plan from your account.
How do I cancel?
From your account, in two clicks, any time. No email, no call.
How does the AI fill out JS 44?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of JS 44, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is JS 44 to fill out?
JS 44 has a Form Complexity Index of 61 out of 100, in the moderate tier: 137 fillable fields across 1 page. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is the purpose of this form?
This form, often called a Civil Cover Sheet, provides the court with a summary of a new lawsuit for administrative and statistical purposes. It identifies the parties, the legal basis for the case, and the nature of the suit.
Who is required to fill out this form?
The plaintiff or their attorney must complete and submit this form when they first file a new civil case with the court.
What information do I need to have ready before filling out this form?
You will need the names and counties of residence for the main plaintiff and defendant, your attorney's contact information, and the specific U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing the case.
What do I do if I don't know who the defendant's attorney is?
The form includes the field 'Attorneys (If Known)' for the defendant's side. If this information is not known at the time of filing, you can leave this section blank.
How do I fill out the 'Citizenship of Principal Parties' section?
For both the plaintiff and defendant, check the box that best describes their status, such as a citizen of the state, a citizen of another state, a corporation, or a foreign national. This is critical for establishing the court's jurisdiction.
What is the difference between 'Basis of Jurisdiction' and 'Cause of Action'?
'Basis of Jurisdiction' is the legal reason the court has authority to hear the case, like 'Federal Question' or 'Diversity'. 'Cause of Action' is the specific law you are suing under and a brief description of your claim.
What does 'APPLYING IFP' mean?
IFP stands for 'In Forma Pauperis,' which is a request to the court to waive filing fees due to financial hardship. If you check this, you will likely need to submit a separate application to prove you qualify.
How do I request a jury trial on this form?
In the 'Case Details' section, there should be a radio button or checkbox labeled 'jury' or 'Jury Demand'. Select this option to formally request a trial by jury.
Should I fill in the 'JUDGE' and 'MAG. JUDGE' fields?
No, you should typically leave the 'JUDGE' and 'MAG. JUDGE' fields blank. These are filled in by the court clerk after the case is assigned.
What if my case has more defendants than the form allows for?
The form provides checkboxes for up to six defendants. If your case involves more parties, list the primary ones and attach a separate sheet with the complete list, following court rules.
Can AI tools help me fill out this form?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to accurately auto-fill form fields with your saved information, which can save you time and help prevent errors.
How can I use Instafill.ai to complete this form online?
Upload the form to the Instafill.ai platform. The AI will make the fields interactive, and you can use the auto-fill feature to populate your information instantly before downloading or printing.
The PDF version of this form I found is not fillable. What can I do?
You can use a service like Instafill.ai, which can convert flat, non-fillable PDFs into interactive, fillable forms. This allows you to easily type your information directly into the fields online.
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