www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help Summons (Petition) – Civil Action/Feb 2019
Form 1, Appendix ND Rules of Civil Procedure
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUMMONS (PETITION) – CIVIL ACTION
ND Legal Self Help Center Staff and Court employees cannot help you fill out forms. If you are
unsure how to proceed, consult a lawyer.
There is no guarantee that all judges and courts will accept forms available through the ND
Legal Self Help Center.
Do not include this instruction sheet when you serve or file the completed form.
THE “DISTRICT COURT CIVIL” SECTION of the ND Legal Self Help Center website has additional
information and resources.
A summons directs the Respondent to answer the petition within a certain amount of time.
The summons notifies the Respondent that a default judgment may be taken against them if
the Respondent does not answer.
Fill in the name of the County in North Dakota where the Petitioner intends to file the
civil action.
Fill in the name of the Judicial District in North Dakota where the Petitioner intends to
file the civil action. (The County is within the Judicial District.) County and Judicial
District information and maps are available at www.ndcourts.gov.
Fill in the case number, if known.
Fill in the full, legal name of the Petitioner on the Petitioner line. There can be more
than one Petitioner.
Fill in each Respondent’s full, legal name on the Respondent line. There can be more
than one Respondent.
Sign and date the summons.
A copy of the petition must be served with the summons.
Do not include this instruction sheet when you serve or file the completed form.
***The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center provides resources to people who represent
themselves in civil matters in the North Dakota state courts. The information provided by the
Center is not intended for legal advice but only a general guide to the civil court process. The
Center is not responsible for any consequences that may result from the information provided.
The information cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in the state.
Use at your own risk.***