A Civil Cover Sheet needs the following:

1. Plaintiff, 

• name of plaintiff and county of residence of first listed plaintiff (except in US plaintiff cases)
• Attorneys (firm name, address and telephone number)

2. Defendants, 

• name of the defendants and county of residence of first listed plaintiff (except in US plaintiff cases) (in land condemnation cases, use the location of the tract of land involved)
• Attorneys (firm name, address and telephone number) (if known)

3. Basis of Jurisdiction
4. Citizenship of Principal Parties
5. Origin
6. Nature of Suit

• Contract
• Torts
• Forfeiture/Penalty
• Bankruptcy
• Property Rights
• Labor
• Social Security
• Federal Tax Suits
• Real Property
• Civil Rights
• Prisoner Petitions
• Other Statutes

7. Cause of Action 
8. Requested in Complaint
9. Divisional Assignment 

Before filing a complaint make sure that you have:

• Reviewed all local rules for special format requirements
• Included the title and address of the proper court with jurisdiction
• Properly identified and named the parties in the caption
• Titled the complaint (i.e. Complaint for Damages)
• Demanded a jury trial (if applicable)
• Stated one or more complete causes of action
• Stated at least one cause of action against each defendant
• Included a prayer for relief or request for damages
• Affixed the proper signature
• Attached any required cover sheets

A complaint, the foundational document initiating a civil lawsuit, must contain specific elements to comply with procedural rules and legal standards. Under the **Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) Rule 8(a)**, a complaint must include a “short and plain statement” of the court’s jurisdiction, a clear showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment. Structurally, it begins with a **caption** identifying the court, parties, and case number. The **body** outlines the factual allegations in numbered paragraphs (FRCP Rule 10(b)), detailing the events giving rise to the claim, such as the defendant’s actions or omissions, and how they caused harm. Each legal claim (e.g., negligence, breach of contract) is presented as a separate **”count”**, explicitly citing the applicable law or legal theory. The complaint must also establish **subject matter jurisdiction** (e.g., federal question or diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §1331) and, if necessary, **personal jurisdiction** over the defendant. A **prayer for relief** specifies the remedies sought, such as monetary damages, injunctions, or declaratory judgment. 

Additionally, some jurisdictions require a **verification** (a sworn statement attesting to the complaint’s truthfulness) or a **jury demand** if a jury trial is requested (FRCP Rule 38). Complaints in federal court must adhere to strict formatting rules, including font size and margin requirements (FRCP Rule 10(a)), and may reference supporting exhibits. Legal scholars like Richard D. Freer emphasize the importance of clarity and specificity to avoid dismissal under standards like *Bell Atlantic v. Twombly* (2007), which requires allegations to be “plausible on their face” (*Civil Procedure: Cases, Materials, and Questions*). 

State court complaints follow similar frameworks but may vary in technical requirements, such as mandatory pre-filing notices in certain cases (e.g., medical malpractice). Failure to include essential elements risks dismissal under FRCP Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim. For further guidance, authoritative texts like *Federal Civil Procedure Handbook* (Baicker-McKee) and state-specific civil procedure codes provide templates and detailed explanations.