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AO 440

Summons in a Civil Action

Federal · United States Courts · Effective June 1, 2012

This form is a notice that a lawsuit has been started against someone in federal court. It tells the person being sued that they must file a response with the court within a certain number of days.

Open the official PDFfrom United States Courts

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when a lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court. It officially notifies the person being sued that they have been sued and tells them what steps they must take next.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Common questions

What does this form tell me?
This form is a summons that tells you a lawsuit has been filed against you in federal court. It also gives you a deadline to respond to the complaint.
What happens if I do not respond?
The form states that if you fail to respond, the court may enter a judgment against you for what the complaint asks for.
Who fills out the Proof of Service section?
The Proof of Service section is filled out by the person who served the summons, not usually filed with the court unless required by a specific rule.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect June 1, 2012.

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