Skip to content
LitigationForms
Pro Se 3

Defendant’s Answer to the Complaint

Federal · United States Courts · Effective December 1, 2016

This form is used by a defendant to formally respond to a complaint filed by a plaintiff in federal court. It asks the defendant to state whether they admit or deny the claims made in the complaint and to raise any defenses they have against those claims.

Open the official PDFfrom United States Courts

Where this fits in a case

Respond

Stage: Respond

This form is used by a defendant who has been sued in federal court to provide their official written response to the initial complaint filed by the person suing them.

Usually filed by the person responding.

Common questions

Who should fill out this form?
This form is for the defendant who is responding to the complaint. It is designed for people representing themselves (pro se).
What does the defendant have to do when answering?
The defendant must state for each paragraph in the complaint whether they admit, deny, or lack enough knowledge to admit or deny the facts. They must also list any defenses they have.
Does this form require a filing fee?
The provided text does not mention any filing fees associated with submitting this form.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect December 1, 2016.

Related forms

  • AO 241

    Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254

    This form is a petition used by a person currently in state custody to ask the court for relief from a conviction or sentence. It asks for detailed information about the original conviction, sentencing, and any appeals that have already taken place.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 242

    Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241

    This form is a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, which is used to challenge how a sentence is being carried out, or to challenge detention when the person is in federal or state custody. It asks the court to review the conditions of confinement.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 243

    Motion to Vacate/Set Aside Sentence (Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255)

    This form is a request to a federal court to cancel, change, or correct a sentence. It asks the person filling it out to provide details about the original conviction and sentence they are challenging.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 398

    Notice of a Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Summons

    This form tells someone that a lawsuit has been filed against them in federal court. It asks the person receiving it to sign a waiver so that the court does not have to formally serve them with a summons.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 399

    Waiver of the Service of Summons

    This form allows a defendant to agree to skip the formal process of being served with a lawsuit notice. By signing it, the defendant agrees to certain rules and must file a response or motion by a specific deadline.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 440

    Summons in a Civil Action

    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.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 441

    Summons on Third-Party Complaint

    This form is a notice that a lawsuit has been filed against a person by another defendant, who is acting as a third-party plaintiff. It tells the person they must respond to the complaint or file a motion with the court within a certain number of days.

    Fillable PDF
  • AO 445

    Warrant for the Arrest of a Witness in a Civil Case

    This form is a court order telling law enforcement officers that they must arrest a witness who was supposed to appear in a civil case but did not show up. It also commands that the witness be held until the court gives permission to release them.

    Fillable PDF