How to file a civil lawsuit if you are representing yourself:
This District requires that a pro se litigant use certain forms, depending on what kind of lawsuit is at issue. The forms are located on the Forms page, and are described below:
- If you are incarcerated and you want to file a civil lawsuit, you must use the Prisoner Complaint Form, with the accompanying Instructions.
- If you are not incarcerated and you want to file a lawsuit related to employment, you shall use a Title VII Complaint.
- If you are not incarcerated and you want to file a civil lawsuit for a reason that is not related to employment, you shall use the General Complaint.
- If you are incarcerated and filing a lawsuit that challenges the execution of your prison sentence (for example, the computation of time served), whether resulting from a state or federal court proceeding, you shall file a § 2241 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Instructions).
- If you are incarcerated and filing a lawsuit that challenges the validity of a conviction and prison sentence resulting from a state court proceeding, you shall file a § 2254 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Instructions).
- If you are incarcerated and filing a lawsuit that challenges the validity of a conviction and prison sentence resulting from a federal court proceeding, you shall file a Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Instructions).
- If you are indigent, you shall request a waiver of or payment plan for the filing fee by filing a Motion and Affidavit for Leave to Proceed Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.